In 1970/71 a squad was formed with Alan Webster as coach with the rowers being Grant McAuley, Kerry Brear, Bob Murphy, Graham Davidson, Ross McKee, Dennis Delaney, Tim Smith, Philip Nolan and Rob McCarthy. They performed well in Auckland Championships achieving six finals in the four, the double and the pair.
In 1971-72 there were 16 active Club rowers So, the performance of the Club rowers in this year was all the more remarkable. The AGM Report describes the achievement of this eight “Last season saw an alarming fall in membership with all the Club’s resources being available to one crew, the Senior Squad. The Crew’s dedication to training and Mr Craie’s skill in coaching culminated in a well-deserved win at the NZ Championships when they were successful in winning the Junior Eight title from a very large field. This is the first time in recent history that the Club has won a NZ title and it is hoped that we will not only hold the title but have a good look at the Senior Eight title in the coming season.” (Note they were 5th in the Senior Eight at the NZ Champs).
Of the eight rowers who won the National title in the Senior Eight, four of the crew – Grant McAuley, Bob Murphy, Ross McKee and Rob McCarthy – went on to rowing success at national and international levels.
Kerry Brear achieved national success and continued to coach and row out of St Georges for several decades. He held a number of roles on the Executive Committee through to 2008.
(Cover Photo: From Left to Right: Tim Smith, Philip Nolan, Rob McCarthy, Ross McKee, Graeme Davidson, Bob Murphy, Kerry Brear, Grant McAuley and cox Alan Wymer.