John and Jeanette Gasson are major contributors to Red Shed, with financial donations of over $12 million for the building, fit out, equipment and underwriting the operational costs. In a voluntary capacity they are President and Treasurer of the not-for-profit and are mentors to the management and staff.
Driven by a desire to create opportunities for public school kids to engage in the sport of rowing, John has worked tirelessly and persistently over ten years towards securing a site at Black Mountain Peninsula. Constructing a world class facility, and then developing and implementing a business model to sustain the not-for-profit mission of Red Shed Inc. has been an inspirational passion project that has come to fruition.
John was introduced to rowing as a 13-year-old at Telopea Park High School and continued to row at Narrabundah College. After leaving school John rowed at Eastern Suburbs Rowing Club where he met Jeanette. They both pursued rowing goals at an elite level with Jeanette representing Australia in 1984 and holding numerous committee positions over the years. In the mid-1980s, John and a handful of other club members secured a block of land at Black Mountain Peninsula and built a basic rowing facility in the much calmer waters at the western end of the lake. The decision was then made to rename the club to Black Mountain Rowing Club (BMRC).
Now, 30 odd years later, John and Jeanette’s desire to enhance the rowing opportunities in Canberra has resulted in the new building for BMRC and Red Shed Inc. This building, coupled with rowing, gym and wellness programs, the café, event and multi-purpose function facilities will create a community of locals coming together to meet Red Shed’s mission – “Rowing for all, inspiring wellness and fostering community”.
