Forward December 2014 | Page 26

SPORT Rowing tour: In December 2013, the first ever rowing tour was held, and 21 boys, parents and staff headed to Cheela Plains Station in the Pilbara for seven days with the Pensini family. Cheela Plains Station is a family owned and managed cattle station located in the semiarid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara in Western Australia. Along with the grazing enterprise, Evan and Robin Pensini also manage a contracting business and station stay accommodation. The rowing tour saw the boys helping out on the Station, whilst having the opportunity to Pilbara bond, enjoy some of the spectacular gorges and scenery and learn more about the place where Gavin and Fraser grew up. The rowing tour was a huge success and would not have been possible without the parents and staff who were willing to make it so special. The boys wish to thank the wonderful and welcoming duo, Evan and Robin Pensini, who let a bus full of boys spend a few days at their place. They also wish to acknowledge the efforts of Head Coach, Tony Lovrich, Nurse, Vicki Bellinge, Teacher-in-Charge, Jennyfer Leah, Catherine John McGuire Cup Hillier, Alison Sewell, Russell (Stretch) Lagdon, Ralf Bonte, Suzie Armstrong, Joe Wallace, Joshua Wilkes, Patrick and Justine McRoberts and all of the other parents and staff who were involved. Everyone’s contribution to the tour, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated. But lastly, the boys need to be thanked as it could not have been such a success without their willingness and enthusiasm. A full report on the camp will feature in the 2014 Swan yearbook. The inaugural John McGuire Cup cricket match was played on Friday 14 November between the GGS 1st XI and the WA Indigenous XI. This annual fixture celebrates the wonderful Indigenous contribution to the sport of cricket and the phenomenal career of Old Guildfordian John McGuire. John represented Mount Lawley in the WACA Competition for two decades scoring an enormous number of runs as an opening batsman and playing in numerous premiership teams. The Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft, was in attendance to toss the coin and begin proceedings. He also blessed the new electronic scoreboard before the start of play as this was the first time the scoreboard had been used in a match. The GGS 1st XI won the match with Max Marrell (11Ha)winning the best player award for his excellent half century. 26