Set against the iconic backdrop of Western Queensland, with the mission to improve the health, wellbeing and social connectedness of rural and remote communities, is the Outback Rowing Regatta. Nowhere in the world are rowing eight sprint races run back-to-back with a Head race in a bush landscape, where dinosaurs once roamed and early explorers searched for the great inland sea.

From the Outback Sprints in Barcaldine on Saturday, to the legendary Head of the Outback in Longreach on Sunday, this is a truly unique celebration of rowing. There are few sports that allow three generations to compete side by side as equals, but that’s exactly what happened at this year’s fourth annual high-energy regatta.

2025 Outback Rowing Regatta – Churchie contingent

What makes this event even more remarkable is the web of Blue and Grey Churchie connections behind it, including sponsors with generous donations and hands-on help. Some of the racing boats were donated by Churchie and competitors vied for trophies handcrafted from gidgee from John Chandler’s (1970) station near Barcaldine and ironbark from Bud Ford’s (1941) property near Miles. These materials, two of the hardest and most enduring timbers found in the bush, were transformed into sculpted trophies by John Simmers (1985) who is renowned internationally for his violin-making skills.

Toby Ford (1977) and John Simmers (1985)

The Outback Rowing story began just after COVID in 2020 when a group Old Boys from Vikings Rowing Club set out to row six rivers across western Queensland. Hosted by the following Old Boys who helped the convoy get the boats onto their local waterways; Ronald Thompson (1980) of Chinchilla, Bim Struss (1972) of Morven, Rob Chandler (1971) of Barcaldine, Bill Ringrose (1982) of Longreach, Roger Lewis (1968) of Emerald and from Moura, Tom Wagner (1977) and Brian Wagner (1983).

From this humble tour, Outback Rowing Australia (ORA) was born. The regatta series has grown into a national spectacle, attracting crews and spectators from across Australia and New Zealand. In 2024, ORA expanded its reach, establishing rowing eights in country towns including Cunnamulla, Nyngan, Moree, Bourke, St George, Chinchilla, Toowoomba, Longreach, and Barcaldine. A crew of Old Boys known as Barcoo, many from the 1988 cohort, reunited at last year’s regatta and had such a good time that they’ve kept rowing and are now also competing at other regattas around the country.

This year, ORA launched Outback Kids, supported by the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA), Distance Education and Bush Kids. The program was an immediate success, with 40 children learning to row for the first time. With luck, some will carry their early oar strokes to boarding school, swapping cricket bats for blades.

From Humbug Reach to the Hall of Fame, the Outback Rowing story keeps growing; one community, one river, one race at a time.

Vikings Rowing Club put the challenge to Old Boys to become involved and put a boat on the water regularly. Rowers and non-rowers alike are welcome. For anyone interested in getting involved, please click here.

Churchie’s Director of Engagement David Miles (1985) and Director of Boarding Mike Symons.