Ambition.
Respect.
Camaraderie.
9 May 2026
A Celebration of Ambition, Respect & Camaraderie.
The Adelaide Rowing Club Annual Dinner, held on Saturday 9th May, once again brought our community together to celebrate a season defined not just by results, but by the people behind them.
From the moment guests arrived, there was a familiar sense of what makes ARC special — connection, pride, and a shared understanding that while we train hard and race fiercely, it’s the belonging that keeps us coming back.
The night struck a perfect balance: great food, plenty of laughs and "pat's on the back", a few well-earned drinks, and recognition of the achievements — both big and small — that shape our club.
MC'd by ARC President (& self-confessed TEMU-aholic), Mitch Oliver, the night rolled through at a steady clip - interrupted only by a few (OK.. maybe more than a few) spirited "dozen's" courtesy of Boschy.
Our thanks go to those who helped to prepare, set-up and otherwise make the night a fantastic success - Tim Santin, Sarah Graves, Mieka Webb, Ella McKay, Izzy Lease, Dave Eichler, Sam Williams, Corey Bayliss & Adam Pope.
A Season Built by Many
Before the trophies, the Club took time to recognise those who quietly power everything we do.
From bar volunteers and regatta helpers to coaches, selectors, and committee members — this season, like every season, was built on contribution. In particular, we recognised the "Painters of 2026" - the 17 Members who helped with the herculean effort to paint our ceiling - with all present enjoying the bright & uplifting tone that the white ceiling provides!
It’s these efforts, often behind the scenes, that turn a collection of rowers into a vibrant, thriving club.
Celebrating Service & Values
The Service & Values Awards reminded us that success at ARC isn’t just measured in medals, with this year's recipient's being recognised for going above and beyond — strengthening the culture that underpins everything we achieve.
Nick Miteloudis - Bar Volunteering
Tim Santin - Bar Volunteering & Clubroom Manager
Josh Lasscock - Winter Programme Co-Ordinator
Tom Merrigan - Coaching & Boat Maintenance
Daren Potts - Coaching & Boat Maintenance
Simon Lane - Coaching
Adam Pope - Regatta Volunteering
Pete Davison - Regatta Volunteering
Erica Webb - Regatta Volunteering
Claire Rogers - Regatta Volunteering & Entries
Rising Talent & On-Water Achievement
The next group of awards recognised excellence on the water — from first-year rowers finding their rhythm to athletes reaching national and international success.
Captain’s Trophy (Most Improved First Year Rower) - Sam Williams
JJ Sharp Memorial Cup (Most Improved Rower) - Igor Zarubin
F. Kenneth Milne Trophy (Most Outstanding Coxswain) - Emma Venus
Charles Amiel Trophy (Most Winning Junior) - Jess Lobban
Moffatt Le Page Challenge Cup (Most Winning Master's Rower) - Andrew Tidemann
A special mention was also made to the eight ARC members who were selected into the South Australian team to compete at the Oceania U22 Teams Championship. But it didn't stop with words - with announcement of a financial contribution from the Club to support each of the athletes with their costs of competing at the regatta.
Coaching & Leadership
Behind every strong crew is great coaching — and this year’s Percy Forwood Trophy for Meritorious Service to Coaching recognised a true team effort, jointly awarded to:
Simon Lane,
Tom Merrigan, &,
Daren Potts
Their combined approach reflects the collaborative spirit that is driving performance across the club.
Character, Spirit & Club Contribution
Some of the most meaningful moments of the night came through awards recognising character and contribution.
Greening Taylor Trophy for Exemplary Charactor & Club Spirit by a Younger Member -Jess Lobban
I’Zingari Trophy for Exemplary Service to Adelaide Rowing Club by an Older Member - Adam Pope
Both recipients embody what ARC stands for — showing up, helping others, and contributing without expectation of recognition.
The Cream of the Crop
The Club’s competitive edge was on full display in the major performance awards:
C.A.M West Shield for the Most Winning Member went to wire and was only decided on the afternoon of the final regatta of the season:
5th Place - Sasha Humble (10 points)
4th Place - Sam Williams (11 points)
Equal 2nd Place - Celia Cowan & Mieka Webb (16 points)
1st Place - Igor Zarubin (20 points)
Charles Morgan Trophy for Most Ability & General Qualities - Sam Stunell
Sam’s achievements — including World Championship success — represent one of the standout seasons by any ARC athlete in recent years.
A True Club Legend
Once of the most powerful moments of the evening came with a rare presentation of the R.W. Richardson Memorial Shield for Outstanding Service to the Club and the Sport over a very long time. The Shield is akin to our 'Hall of Fame' for Service, having only been awarded 5 times in the last 20 years.
They say there’s no greater honour in Rowing than introducing someone to the sport for the first time and getting them hooked. We can all remember the first time we got in a boat. Where it was, who was in the boat, and who our first coach was.
For many at ARC - that first coach was Donna Webb.
Donna’s rowing journey began as a Seymour College parent supporting her daughters, Mieka and Erica, during the early years of the Seymour programme when it was based in the ARC boatshed. Alongside key figures, she helped build the foundations of what it is today, now celebrating its 20th season.
As Erica & Mieka moved into senior rowing at ARC, Donna became a constant in our club. She learned to row herself, fell in love with the sport, and went on to lead the ARC Learn to Row programme for nearly a decade — guiding countless beginners through their first strokes on Sunday mornings at the Torrens.
In recent years, Donna has continued to give back as a junior coach at Seymour, shaping the next generation with her trademark care, patience, and generosity.
Donna has never sought recognition, but her impact is everywhere. To so many at ARC, you’ve been our “club mum.”
Thank you Donna, for everything you have given to our community - it wouldn't be the same without you!
A New Award Recognising An ARC Great
After 144 years, we don't get to introduce new perpetual trophies all that often.
But this year, we did, with the introduction of The Alexander Hill OAM Trophy for Most Inspiring Race Performance
This award recognises an outstanding racing performance by Adelaide Rowing Club athlete(s) during the past Season which has demonstrably inspired others within our Club.
Named and first awarded in honour of ARC’s first Olympic gold medallist — Alexander Hill O.A.M., Men's Coxless Four, Tokyo 2021 — this award celebrates an outstanding rowing performance at National or International level and acknowledges the technical proficiency, physical resilience, competitive composure, and professional preparation required to succeed at the elite level.
This award captures the importance of achievements at elite levels for our Club. They inspire, lift expectations, and reinforce a shared belief in what is possible through sustained effort and discipline — and in turn, contribute to strengthening our culture of excellence at Adelaide Rowing Club.
In 2025-26, we saw some brilliant performances by ARC members on the national and international scene, but it was hard to look past the two performances by Sam Stunnell in his first year representing Australia:
The inaugural Under 23 World Champion in the PR3 Men's Single Scull, and,
World Championship Bronze Medal in the PR3 Mixed Double Scull.
Two performance's that inspired an entire club and showed us what is possible.
More Than a Night
As always, the dinner was more than just awards - it was a reminder.
That success doesn’t happen in isolation.
That effort — often unseen — matters.
That the community we have at ARC is unique, special and worth being a part of!
And that ordering custom print products from TEMU can result in unintended displays of poetic affection...
