James Tomkins captures the crowd at the 2026 Quick Start Luncheon

More than 180 members of the rowing community gathered in Da Costa Dining Hall for the 2026 Quick Start Rowing Community Lunch, an afternoon that celebrated the strength of Saints rowing while raising support for the future of the program.

Guests were treated to an engaging discussion led by Georgina McGuinness featuring Australian rowing legends James Tomkins OAM, Lucy Stephan OAM, James McRae and Jo Francou. The panel explored themes of teamwork, resilience, leadership and high performance, drawing on experiences from Olympic campaigns, international competition and life beyond rowing.

One of the strongest messages from the afternoon came from James Tomkins, who challenged conventional thinking around teamwork. He spoke about the importance of collaboration and trust, noting that the highest-performing teams are not built on one person's vision alone, but on the collective contribution of every member working towards a common goal.

The afternoon also had its share of lighter moments. When reflecting on his transition from coxed to coxless boats, Tomkins joking said he was pleased "not to be carrying around 50 kilograms of lard in the boat" and happy to escape "having a cox yelling all the time". He did, however, acknowledge the genuine value of coxes in crew development.

A particular highlight for the Blackmore Club was two members donating two tables for young rowers to attend, enabling twenty past and current students to attend and hear firsthand from one of Australia's greatest sporting figures. Supporting opportunities such as these reflects the Club's commitment to giving back and ensuring future generations can benefit from the experiences, wisdom and traditions of the Saints rowing community.

As Tomkins remarked during the afternoon, "You don't play rowing, you do it." The comment resonated strongly throughout the room and captured the commitment, discipline and camaraderie that continue to define rowing at St Peter's College.

The lunch also highlighted the importance of Project Quick Start, the long-term initiative supporting the planned renewal of the College's rowing fleet. The generosity shown by members of the rowing community is already helping strengthen the fleet and accelerate future boat replacement plans, ensuring Saints rowers continue to have access to high-quality equipment for years to come.

The Blackmore Club congratulates the St Peter's College Boat Club, the SPSC Foundation and all involved in delivering another outstanding event and looks forward to supporting the continued growth of this important annual tradition.

Billy Brigham (YNG 2014)
The Blackmore Club