WBRC honours pioneering women’s crew

SIXTY-one years ago, Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club’s first women’s crew was formed, winning their maiden race on the lake.

Last Monday, on International Women’s Day, one of the club’s newest quadruple sculls was officially named in honour of the pioneering rowers; Joanna Bajenoff, Coral Gibb, Penny Fawcett, Mary Wright, and their coxswain, Bruce Wilding, who were all in attendance.

Christened the 1960 Women’s Crew, WBRC captain Alicia Ivory said the boat was purchased by the Club in 2019, with the assistance of a City of Ballarat Active Women and Girls grant.

The crew members’ original names have also been placed along the bow.

“When we started looking for a name, we wanted to recognise a great woman, and then we found a photo of these four women from 1960, which piqued our imagination,” she said.

“We never thought we would be able to get all four of them here, with two from Queensland, Bruce from New South Wales, and two from the local area, so it’s great to have them all back together.”

Mrs Bajenoff, formerly Joanna Watson, was “stunned, excited and honoured,” to be recognised, remembering her rowing experience fondly.

“Eric Waller organised our crew and I was the stroke; the best place in the boat. I used to give the cox the cheek,” she laughed.

“I just love it that the four of us are still alive after 60 years. Penny, Mary and I were 18, Coral was 20, and we all loved it.

“I was close friends with Mary at Queen’s Grammar, and Penny and Coral went to Clarendon College. I haven’t seen Mary since I was 21, and we were so close, so it’s wonderful to get together.”

Mrs Gibb, then Coral Hickey, rowed briefly at WBRC. She remembers her crew’s heavy wooden equipment; a contrast to the new, lighter racing shell and oars she saw on Monday.

“It was hard work, but it was all very exciting and fun. It’s a wonderful sport,” she said.