08 NOVEMBER 2024 | ISSUE 560 | FREE
GOULBURN RIVER & RANGES
Nagambie Rowing Club Unveils New Art Attraction Featuring Tim Bowtell's Works
The Nagambie Rowing Club has enhanced its offerings with the addition of a striking art installation created by local artist Tim Bowtell, further elevating the club's appeal to visitors and community members alike. Bowtell's art, renowned throughout North East Victoria, can be found adorning walls and silos across the region. The inspiration for this collaboration came to Nagambie Rowing Club board member Patrick McNamara and his wife, Merryl, after they embarked on a scenic drive exploring the silo art trail to the north of Nagambie. “Merryl and I did a tour by car of a number of silo murals north of us, and I was particularly impressed by the one at St James that depicts historical activities of the St James area,” said Patrick. “It also has a portrait of G J Coles, who established the first Coles store in Australia at St James. I was impressed by Tim's skill as a portrait painter.”
Following their inspiring art tour, and impressed by Mr Bowtell’s skill, Patrick contacted Mr Bowtell to discuss the artwork for the rowing club. The result is a magnificent wall display celebrating the achievements of the Nagambie Rowers, who triumphed in the Victorian State Eight-oared Championship. Notably, six of these rowers, along with their coxswain and coach, were selected to represent Victoria in the interstate eights for the prestigious Kings Cup. “The Nagambie crew won the Victorian eight title by a massive margin of 8 boat lengths, and the stern four then won the Four State title by 12 lengths,” Patrick noted. “This achievement for a small country rowing club would be like Nagambie Football Club winning the VFL Premiership.” In addition to the contemporary rowing achievements, the mural also pays homage to the 1964 Australian crew that competed in the Tokyo Olympics, featuring Bruce Richardson (stroke), Neil Lodding (bow), and Wayne Gammon (cox), with Lodding and Gammon currently serving on the board of the Nagambie Rowing Club. The artwork further encapsulates the legacy of Nagambie by including portraits of the three local winners of the famed Stawell Gift: "Goldy" Heath in 1935 (who was Neil's uncle), Tommy Deane in 1948, and Patrick Breen from the 1800s.
The unveiling of Tim Bowtell's artwork marks a significant milestone for the Nagambie Rowing Club, blending local art with community spirit, while celebrating the rich history and accomplishments of the rowing club and its members. With this new attraction, the club continues to embrace its role as a cultural hub for both residents and visitors to the region.