“Gary doesn’t just row boats”: ‘Gazza’ christened at Torquay boat reveal

BOAT christenings at Torquay Surf Life Saving Club can be an emotional yet happy day and Sunday was no different.

Hundreds of members gathered in the club’s rear courtyard to listen to speeches, take photos and christen the club’s new $30,000 crew boat sponsored by Torquay Hotel.

MC for the reveal, club captain Julian Sweeney, named the boat after member Gary “Gazza” Pettigrove for his long and effective tenure as a life member and integral role within the club since he joined in 1969.

Mr Pettigrove is the son of founding Torquay SLSC members John and Wilma Pettigrove and is also a recipient of the Wishart Medal, the top individual award that can be bestowed upon a Victorian life saver.

“It’s a huge honour,” Mr Pettigrove said post-reveal.

“My family has four boats named after them, it’s a big deal for a single member to get one but to have four within our family, is just a massive honour.

“My parents were the ‘gold star’ people of this club and I was just another member within Torquay, but I love this club and I’m very lucky to be a part of it.”

Gary rowed with and has been mentored by some of the Torquay SLSC’s biggest legends including John ‘Moose’ Russell, John Heathcote and Ray Heathcote, brothers of the club’s current Open men’s sweep Neil ‘Hec’ Heathcote.

“Gary doesn’t just row boats,” Torquay SLSC president Tiffany Quinlan said.

“He has contributed more than just about any of our other members to be brutally honest.

“He’s mentored me, he is an amazing human being, he has contributed his life and soul to this club and the christening is richly deserved.”

Another club figure to learn under Mr Pettigrove was Mr Sweeney.

“I earned my Bronze medallion under Gary, so everything I’ve done over the last 30 years or so has been as a result of Gary,” Mr Sweeney said.

“I thank Gary for what he has contributed to the club and my family. My daughter is rowing now, she wouldn’t be doing that if it wasn’t for Gary and, as the Wishart Medal says, it goes to the champion lifesaver, and he is a champion.”

The new Torquay Hotel boat will be cruising the waves at the Vic State Champs in Warrnambool this weekend before hitting the Aussie Championships in Queensland.