Sport
2 May, 2023
Club awards Life Memberships
Submitted by Dimboola Rowing Club president Michael Salter This Friday, the Dimboola Rowing Club is inviting all friends, family, members and rowers, past and present, to the presentation of two Life Memberships. Pamela Westendorf and Leeanne...
Submitted by Dimboola Rowing Club president Michael Salter
This Friday, the Dimboola Rowing Club is inviting all friends, family, members and rowers, past and present, to the presentation of two Life Memberships.
Pamela Westendorf and Leeanne Ambrose both began their rowing careers as school rowers for the Dimboola Rowing Club in 1974.
The first crew they rowed with consisted of Pam and Leeanne, Kathleen Salter, Coleen Nuske and Terry Gazelle. This crew won a number of events at club and state levels.
In 1976 the crew changed and Leeanne and Pam were joined by Lyn McDonald, Denise Petschel and Terry Gazelle.
In December of that year, the crew went on to represent Victoria in the Colt Series in New Zealand, placing second.
In 1977 the crew were selected to represent Victoria at the National Kings Cup Regatta held on the Canning River in Perth, and won the Australian Senior Women’s Four Championship and Australian Junior Women’s Four Championship.
In 1978, Pam relocated to Melbourne and was followed by Leeanne in 1981.
Pam represented Australia at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games and five World Championships, and represented Victoria 23 times at the Australian National Championships.
She has continued in the sport as a competitive rower as well as taking up coaching at National, State, School and Club levels.
Leeanne represented Australia at two World Championships, and represented Victoria five times at the Australian National Championships.
She has continued in the sport as a competitive rower and administrator, including leadership and knowledge roles as a current board member of Rowing Victoria.
Both Pam and Leeanne have an insatiable passion for rowing, and on November 23 2013, that passion was rewarded when they were both inducted into the Victoria Rowing Hall of Fame.
Both Pam and Leeanne have always demonstrated a continual passion and support for the Dimboola Rowing Club, both financially and physically, being more than willing to assist with coaching and mentoring of junior rowers.
Both have never forgotten where their great journey commenced.
The presentation of their Life Memberships will commence at 6pm, at the Dimboola Rowing Club, with a BBQ dinner followed by the presentation ceremony and club awards.