Simon Turner has kindly supported MUBC to purchase a brand new empacher eight, which will be christened the Ann Turner. A brief outline of Simon's relationship with MUBC.
‘Simon Turner joined MUBC back in 1968 after a successful coxing career at Melbourne Grammar School. After coxing the Extra Collegiate crew that year to a win over Monash University in the Clive Disher Cup and then another win over Ormond College in the John Lang Cup, he was selected to steer the Melbourne University eight in the Intervarsity Regatta to be held on a two mile course on the Canning River in Perth. Adelaide University were the unbackable favourites to win the IV Eight as many of their crew had given up their chance to row for SA in the Kings Cup to pursue their quest for victory in the Oxford & Cambridge Cup. Adelaide led from the start but Melbourne finished strongly to post a half length victory.
Simon then coxed the Senior Eight in 1969, which was the 1st MUBC senior eight to defeat a Mercantile senior eight, and also steered Ormond College.
Simon got into sculling over the 1968 winter, winning a heat in the Herald Shield and winning the Wal Dennis Cup in 1969. He is still a very keen sculler, doing lengthy rows on a lake about an hour away from where he now lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.
A year after completing his Vet Science degree in 1972 Simon headed off to the US to undertake further studies, first at Ohio State (where he met his wife Ann) and then at Colorado State. He has had an outstanding academic career becoming a full Professor in 1986 and being awarded the Lifetime Excellence in in Research Award by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Notwithstanding that he has lived in the US for the past 45 years or so, Simon has maintained an extremely strong connection with MUBC and his strong love of the Club and rowing shines through in everything that he does. This has been highlighted by the recent donation by Simon and Ann of a new Empacher eight and a set of oars. The boat will be christened at the sheds on Sunday 7 October.’
This is Simon coxing the Melbourne University eight to victory in the 1968 IV Regatta.
