|
|
Henley Hero's The Henley-On-Todd Regatta does not just happen. A group of very dedicated volunteers work tirelessly behind the scenes year round ensuring the ongoing success of this iconic event. There are a few special dedicated volunteers who we reckon deserve special recognition. This year we salute our “Henley Heroes”:
|
|
Bill van Dijk |
|
|
Bill van Dijk’s affectionate nickname of Commodore, stemmed not only from the number of years he spent revitalising the Henley-On-Todd (HOT) but from the few occasions when he was Rotary’s designated Commodore. The very zany Admiral’s costume found in the Totem Theatre’s prop box, added to the image!
In 1995 after retiring from the teaching service, Bill assisted in organising HOT. The following year former Rotary District Governor, Tony Reade assisted Bill in revamping the event. Tony’s invaluable experience paved the way for Bill, by now Chief Executive Officer, in ensuring that this iconic event would continue with national and international acclaim.
The Henley-On-Todd Regatta went from strength to strength with marketing strategies that publicised it as a major tourist attraction. Tourist operators from around Australia and the world were invited to put this event on their itinerary. Mini Henley-On-Todd (now called Corporate HOT’s) became popular and lucrative for the three Rotary Clubs involved.
The Henley-On-Todd Regatta received a prestigious Brolga Award for tourism excellence in 2000.
As the reputation of the Henley-On-Todd Regatta grew, it seemed the right time to attract a major sponsor (the event had not had a major sponsor for a number of years) and in 2001, ASSA ABLOY (first under the name of LOCKWOOD) came on board injecting new life into the event. This company is still the major sponsor and their employees attend in full force to participate on the day.
One of the highlights of Bill’s stewardship, was being invited in 1997 as adviser to the Rotary Club of Staines in England, for their staging of a Dry River Regatta. Club members had seen HOT in Alice and wanted to simulate the idea. Ironically the beautiful River Thames floated serenely past their venue! It was a wonderful day and their Regatta still thrives as an annual fundraiser.
In nearly 10 years of dedication to Henley-On-Todd, Bill had succeeded in fostering an important Rotary ideal: “the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations between people of the world”.
|
|
|
Warren Serone |
|
|
Warren Serone joined Rotary around 1980 and has always participated to the full in Rotary as a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Stuart. He has acted in a variety of roles including : President of the Rotary Club of Stuart, Vice President, Club Service Secretary, Treasurer (twice) and has received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow.
He was named Centralian of the Year a number of years ago, giving to his community activities and voluntary work.
He is a true participator in most Rotary activities and always available to fill in when required. He was Assistant Governor for a term and carried out those duties to perfection.
Warren would have been a member of the HOT BOARD for approximately 65% of his time as a Rotarian. Warren has obtained vast knowledge of how the Henley-On-Todd ticks and has been a willing volunteer in that time.
Warren has acted in the capacity as Commodore on two occasions, and undertaken various Board duties since 1980. He is a very willing participator in the Corporate Henley-On-Todd's and has been involved in all of them. Warren has become a very well respected member of the board with his vast knowledge of the history and behind the scenes information on the event operation.
Warrens only bad habit, is he drinks Lambrusco on occasions.
|
|
|
Peter Mostran |
|
|
 Peter Mostran watched the first Henley-On-Todd (HOT) as a young man, his father Sandy Mostran having produced a film recording of the very first Henley-On-Todd.
Peter joined Rotary specifically to be involved with Henley-On-Todd in 1987. He has held positions in the club of Club Service Director, Club President, Community Service Director, HOT Commodore and was made a “Paul Harris Fellow” in November 1993 but believes his service to Rotary and to Alice Springs is best articulated with his work for HOT.
Preparations for Henley-On-Todd started well before the day for Peter’s family and his loyal staff. Over the years his staff have worked tirelessly alongside Peter to prepare the site, ensuring the equipment was maintained and also looking after the HOT yard.
When Peter sold the family business, the big issue was how to get his hands on the equipment needed to prepare the site for HOT. Many businesses and organizations now assist Peter with loans of graders, utes, cranes and personnel. Rotary and Peter are very grateful for their support in enabling this event to continue. These businesses too, are the quiet achievers for the community with their continued support. Like Peter, they just make it happen without any fuss. Peter’s satisfaction is in knowing that the job has been done well and the participants have enjoyed themselves, with the town benefiting from hosting the events.
The year Peter was Commodore, was the year the Todd flooded, so it really was an all night affair with cranes being needed to move equipment out of the riverbed. That occurrence cemented his resolve to stay with the site preparation, planning and clean up.
|
|
|
Neil Ross - 2008 Henley Hero |
|
|
 Neil Ross’ involvement with Rotary started with his father Ron, who was a member of the Rotary Club of Alice Springs. He joined Rotaract until he was deemed “too old” and then took time off from the Rotary movement to concentrate on his business Ross Engineering. Neil then joined his father’s club in 1995, where he held the positions of Vocational Service Director, Club Service Director, Club President and Director of International Service amongst other endeavours within the club. During his term as President, the club voted to allow women to join which vitalised the club into the dynamic one it is today.
Neil’s involvement with Henley-on-Todd commenced during his Rotaract days, assisting with the setting up and clean up the following day, and manning the “Bite ya Bum” – Rotaract’s boat. The skeleton of this boat now resides at the Henley-on-Todd yard in Sargent St.
When Neil joined Rotary, the Viking boat was refurbished by Ross Engineering Pty Ltd which has remained as a major supporter and sponsor of the Vikings to this day. Many of Ross Engineering’s staff also assist with boat renovations and enjoy the frivolity of being a Viking. It’s amazing how a furry costume can completely change a mild mannered person into a loud Viking! Through Neil’s participation as Viking Captain, the Vikings have participated in many events and festivals in Alice Springs, drawing attention to this splendid part of Australia and Internationally, as well as confirming that sometimes you have to be a little bit “mad” to live here.
After Neil’s term as Commodore of Henley-on-Todd, the Alice Springs Rotary Club awarded him the prestigious “Paul Harris Fellow” Award.
Neil’s commitment to Henley-on-Todd has involved more than 20 years of community service – that’s a lot of Sunday clean up days!.
|
|
|
Ray Henry - 2008 Henley Hero |
|
|
 Ray “Scruffy” Henry joined the Rotary Club of Stuart in 1981. He served as President on two occasions in 1992 and 2005 and was a member of the Henley-On-Todd Board on a number of occasions during his time as a Stuart Rotarian
Ray was an active member with the club especially for practical jobs. He was a great supporter of Henley-on-Todd, but his special passion was the Nauteus and the Regatta “Battle”.
Ray took the Nauteus to local events such as the Bangtail Muster and Camel Cup and into the Todd Mall on the Friday before the HoT Regatta. He was a member of the team who took the Nauteus and the other two “Battle Boats” to Perth during the America’s Cup challenge events in 1988.
In 1993 Rotary International held their annual convention in Melbourne. Ray thought this was a great opportunity to give the Nauteus some Rotary International exposure, so he took the Nauteus on a road trip to Melbourne timing his arrival in Melbourne with the opening of the convention!
On the way he would call ahead to the Rotary Clubs in the towns he was passing through, the local Rotarians would let the townsfolk know. On arrival, sometimes with a Police or Fire Brigade escort, he would park the Nauteus in a park or sports field and as the towns people come along to have a look, Ray and his pirates had the collection bucket out collecting for the Rotary Foundation.
As well as making an appearance at the Rotary International Convention, he somehow managed to get the Nauteus and himself on the then popular channel 9 Saturday night program Hey Hey It’s Saturday with Daryl Somers.
Ray was the self appointed Commodore of the Central Australian Fleet and he and the Nauteus were listed with the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians.
|
|
|
Ernie Richards - 2009 Henley Hero |
|
|
Picture a seemingly fragile man bent over a plethora of cash on any Henley-on-Todd day.
This quiet unassuming man is not looking for accolades. He is looking for accuracy in his counting and will work to achieve his goal until the sun goes down on the riverbed. And all this without the slightest fuss or sign of frustation.
Ernie Richards has been doing this job for years, in fact since 1999 when he became treasurer of the HoT.
The day itself is not merely the counting of money: it entails supplying the gatekeepers, bartenders and other areas with change, recording all transactions and balancing the books at the end.
Considering that much of the takings are distributed to charity, you are definitely a Henley Hero, Ernie, and should be given the accolades you tend to avoid but certainly have earned over ten years of untiring service.
By the way there is no real fragility in this man: he also climbs the Himalayas!
|
|
|
Dominic Miller - 2009 Henley Hero |
|
|
Dominic (Dom) Miller arrived in Alice Springs just over 25 years ago and joined Rotaract. Dom was involved with Henley- on –Todd (HoT) through Rotaract and was one of the crew on the Rotaract battleship Biteyabum.
When he was too old for Rotaract Dom became the then youngest member of the Rotary Club of Alice Springs. He continued his enthusiasm for HoT. In 1990 Dom was Ringmaster and at the pre-HoT barbecue the night before, he met his wife-to-be, Anke.
Ever since, Dom has either been Ringmaster or has worked in the river. The only exceptions were in 1998 when he attended Steve Shearer’s wedding, and in 1993 when the HoT was cancelled because of water raging in the Todd. On this latter occasion he was present at 5am clearing equipment from the river.
Dom has been on the HoT Board three times. One of these years he would love to help other than in the river, to have an easy job for a change, such as working behind the bar. He would love to see the HoT from the perspective of being outside the river, rather than always in it. He would love to be on the Viking crew. The closest Dom got to this was delegating his father-in-law, Artur, to Viking duties in 2008.
Dom has also appointed the long-suffering Artur to barbecue duties and infamously appointed his then fiancée, Anke, to the HoT Board.
As a real estate agent par excellente, Dom conducts open inspections on the morning of the Henley-on-Todd and then races to river duty for the rest of the day.
|
|
|
|
Henley Hero's 
