School boats celebrate club service

TWO of Ballarat High School’s rowing boats have been named in honour of dedicated club members and volunteers.

The senior boys’ firsts boat has been named after Michelle McIntosh, while a junior girls’ quad scull bears the name of The Bilson Family.

“Michelle rowed in the early 90s, won Head of the Lake in 1991 for High School, went onto do coaching and fitness with the club after school, and then returned in 2016 to coach the senior girls’ division two crew,” said director of rowing Rob Simmonds.

“She leads pump classes at the aquatic centre and has been able to bring fitness back into the girls’ side of the program.”

Paul, Helen, Remi and Milli Bilson have all served and supported the club over the last 10 years.

“Remi was a first crew cox in 2013 and 2014 and coached for four years

“Milli coxed the 2014 boys’ first crew which won Head of the Lake, before coxing the senior girls first crews in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and coaching for four years,” Mr Simmonds said.

One of the year 10 girls’ crews which won Head of the Lake in 2013 was also steered by Milli.

“Paul was boat club president from 2014 to 2019, has coached for seven seasons, and is now the president of the Ballarat Rowing Association.

“Helen has been a great helper and supporter throughout,” Mr Simmonds said.

Mr Bilson said the unveiling of The Bilson Family was an unexpected but “lovely surprise.”

“I always liked seeing rowing but was never lucky enough to be near it until Remi started, and then Milli, and we all got more and more involved,” he said.

“Rowing is such a lot of fun, we love to support it, and this is reward for all the work the girls and my wife have put in over the years.”