It was a serendipitous win for the St Margaret’s Shed at last Saturday’s Head of the River. It has been 30 years since the formation of the Brisbane Schoolgirls Rowing Association (BSRA) by St Margaret’s parent Tony Eliot, and he was on hand to present the percentage cup to St Margaret’s.
The prestigious First Eight race was also won by St Margaret’s in a clean sweep of the Third, Second and First Senior Eights.
Head of Rowing Jared Bidwell said while the First VIII lead from start to finish, they never really broke away.
“They just kept a cool head, responded to any challenges from the other crews and put in their best possible race,” he said.
The First VIII crew consisted of a combination of day and boarding students from Years 10 to 12, showing a depth in the St Margaret’s Shed that augers well for the future: The First Eight crew were: Bow - Lily Devereaux (Year 12); 2 - Pia Malouf (Year 11); 3 - Margot Lisle (Year 11); 4 - Rose Biddulph (Year 12); 5 - Sophia Wightman (Year 10); 6 - Shanelle Flute (Year 11 – from Hughenden, Qld); 7 - Rosie Turnbull (Year 10); Stroke - Primrose Carrigan (Year 10 – Thallon, QLD); Cox - Olivia Garland (Year 11 – North Star, NSW).
Mr Bidwell said St Margaret’s gained podium places in 23 of the 31 races on the day.
“The Head of the River represents the culmination of a journey of some 20 weeks.
“Commitment, dedication and a pursuit in the belief that we can always be better in everything we do all came out on show on the day, and gave us an outcome that our rowers, coachers, parents and supporters can all be proud of,” he said.