Kate Elliott

Begonia City Ladies Rowing Club and Ballarat City Rowing Club (VIC)

When you think of stalwarts of sport, you think of people weary with years of dogged long service. You do not think of someone with boundless energy, achievement and leadership in all facets of sport.

Kate fits the latter description. A successful rower, coach, administrator, mother and wife, historian, author and teacher. Like all good leaders, she continues to learn and evolve, break new ground, innovate and use her skills well, always taking on new challenges but never losing sight of her dreams.

Her achievements display generosity of spirit and time, and also a desire to see others achieve and progress.

It is therefore no surprise that she has been awarded the Prime-Ministerial Award For Sport in 1992, and named "Amongst Ballarat's Finest" - included in the inaugural edition of the publication for her contribution to sport in Ballarat.

Nor is it a great surprise that Kate served for 12 years as a Director of the Central Highlands Sports Assembly (now Sports Central) from 1992 and as Chairperson for 10 years 1994-2004. During this time this agency was instrumental in setting up the Westvic Academy of Sport supporting and assisting junior athletes across all sports in the Central Highlands.

How did this start?

It all began for Kate in 1974 at her school Loretto Ballarat. In particular, it started with a 6am, mid-winter row in the St Patrick's barge! Enough to put off even a hardy Ballarat resident, but not Kate.

She was a member of the first ever rowing crew of her school. She also joined the Begonia City Ladies Rowing Club in 1974, making her one of the early members of that club which was formed in 1971.

The administration of the club obviously concerned her and she saw opportunities for change. She was Secretary of her club from 1975-79 then Captain in the 1978-79 season.

The amalgamation of the men's and women's rowing association in Victoria in 1979, led to the formal amalgamation of the Begonia City Ladies Rowing Club and Ballarat City Rowing Club. It was the second Victorian club to amalgamated their men's and women's clubs. From 1979 to 1998, Kate became Secretary of the Ballarat City Rowing Club and one of three women to become first committee members of Ballarat City Rowing Club.

More importantly, Kate has spent 43 years on the Committee of Ballarat City Rowing Club, being secretary for over 35 years of those years. From 1979-1997, Kate lived a very busy life, working full-time, training, coaching, club fund raising and organising the club as Secretary. The club enjoyed success and so she obviously brought the whole club along with her in achieving the goal of being the top club in Victoria.

With no surprise, Kate was awarded honorary life membership of her club in 1998.

In between her rowing activities, she has been a wife and mother, and with husband Danny, built their own house. To get a job done, give it to a busy person.

Kate in Victorian colours on Lake Barrington in 1984

A successful on-water rowing career blossomed from about 1979 with three bronze medals at the National Championships, ten State Championships, and literally hundreds of race wins. Her summary follows.

1979 - Commenced sculling and the first female sculler in Ballarat.

1979 - National Championships, Women's Lightweight Scull - Fifth.

1979 - National Championships, Women's Senior Scull - unplaced

1979 - National Championships, Women’s Open Quad Scull - Second

1980 - Victorian Championships, Women’s Senior B four, stroke -First (BCRC first women's Victorian Championship win)

1980 - National Championships, Women's Lightweight Scull - Third

1982 - Victorian Championships, Women's Lightweight Single Scull - Second

1983 - Victorian Championships, Women's Senior A Single Scull - Second

1983 - Victorian Championships, Women's Lightweight Single Scull - Third

1984 - Victorian Championships, Women's Elite Single Scull - First (Kate's first Victorian sculling championship)

1984 - Victorian Championships, Women's Lightweight Single Scull - Second

1984 - Victorian Championships, Women’s Senior A scull - Third

1984 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Fifth

1984 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slater Trophy - Fourth

1985 - Victorian Championships, Women's Elite Single Scull - First

1985 - Victorian Championships, Women's Senior A Single Scull - First

1985 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Fourth

1985 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Double Scull - Third

1986 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Fifth

1987 - Victorian Championships, Women's Senior A Lightweight Single Scull (Harry Yoffa Trophy) - First

1987 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Third

1988 - Victorian Championships, Women's Senior A Lightweight Single Scull (Harry Yoffa Trophy) - First

1988 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Fourth

1989 - Victorian Championships, Women's Senior A Single Scull - First

1989 - Victorian Championships, Women's Senior A Lightweight Single Scull (Harry Yoffa Trophy) - First

1989 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Fourth

1990 - Victorian Championships, Women's Senior A Lightweight Single Scull (Harry Yoffa Trophy) - First

1990 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Fourth

1990 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Double Scull - Third

1991 - National Championships, Women’s Lightweight Scull - Fifth

1994 - Victorian Championships, Women’s Senior A double scull, ?

Kate has continued to race competitively in masters rowing including competing at World Masters and FISA Masters events.

Coach

For 35 years, Kate has been a coach and run learn to row programs for schools, clubs and universities, with participants ranging from primary school students to seniors!

From 1990-96, she conducted talent identification programs in Ballarat which produced many fine rowers including Sydney Olympic Silver Medallist, Rachel Taylor.

Historian and author

Of great interest to the author is Kate's great work in rowing and local Ballarat history.

In 2004, after three years of research and writing, Kate authored and published “Boys from the Rush Beds - The History of Ballarat City Rowing Club, incorporating the early development of Lake Wendouree. It covers the years 1860-2004.

In 2009, Kate authored and published a second book, “The History of Ballarat Regatta - Australia’s Inland Henley”. Both books are landmark local histories, and very well researched and written. They are the principal texts for historical questions on the lake and rowing in the Ballarat district.

For the Club's 150th year in 2020, Kate researched and wrote a blog posting 150 stories in 150 days.

Finally, this year she has been writing rowing profiles of Ballarat rowing identities for this website. Her contribution will provide a lasting record of these important people for rowers and families alike.

Work

And yes, Kate has maintained a full-time job throughout her life. From 1979-1997 Kate was a primary school teacher specialising in physical education and art. From 1998-2009, Kate was a sessional lecturer at the Australian Catholic University in health and physical education. Finally, from 2008 to present, she has managed the office and finances of the family machinery sales and service business.

Andrew Guerin
October 2021