04/10/2026
🤠🚣 NRC goes Outback!
Sue and Peter Kemp and AJ Rooney have just wrapped up a fantastic adventure at the Outback Regatta, with eights from across NSW, Queensland and Victoria, bringing together city and country rowers.
The trip kicked off in Rockhampton with a row on the Fitzroy River, selected as the rowing venue for the 2032 Olympics. And importantly… no crocodiles sighted! 🐊😅 From there it was on to Fairbairn Dam at Emerald before heading to Barcaldine for the first major event, the 750m sprints.
A Newcastle/North Shore composite crew was formed and, after a time trial, they powered through three knockout duels and the semi-final to make the final. 💪
Their opponents? A crew of school kids who were controversially handed a 19-second head start! With two 80+ rowers, three 70+ rowers and three “youngsters” around 50, our crew couldn’t quite reel them in. 😂 Still, racing the 750m course six times was a pretty impressive effort!
Next stop was Longreach for the 5–6km Head of the Thompson, where the Newcastle/North Shore composite crew took out the Mixed Masters Division on handicap. 🏆👏
And it hasn’t all been rowing. The crew has squeezed in visits to a coal mine, mandarin orchard, cotton gin and muster dog demonstration, while also doing their bit to support the local pubs. 🍻
What a brilliant way to see the Outback, meet rowers from around Australia and fly the NRC flag. Well done Sue, Peter and AJ! 💙❤️🚣
