Red Shed is the latest chapter in sixty years of Canberra rowing. Our story begins with the lake itself.
From the filling of the lake to the Red Shed
1964, the lake is filled.
Lake Burley Griffin is filled and rowing begins almost immediately. The Kingston Nissen Hut, “The Igloo”, becomes the home of Canberra rowing. Foundation clubs take shape: Burns Rowing Club, Telopea Park School Rowing, Canberra Rowing Club and the ANU Boat Club.
1964 to the 1970s, rowing flourishes.
School, university and community clubs grow, creating a vibrant rowing culture in the nation’s capital.
Late 1970s to 1980s, a pathway forms.
Telopea Park School and Narrabundah College programs unite to form the Telopea Narrabundah Rowing Club (TNRC), creating a path from school rowing to lifelong participation.
1980s to 1990s, a rowing powerhouse.
Canberra rowers achieve national and international success, and the ACT builds its reputation on the water.
1990s to 2020s, Black Mountain Rowing Club.
Black Mountain Rowing Club (BMRC) emerges as one of Canberra’s leading community clubs, welcoming rowers of all ages and abilities.
2024, Red Shed opens.
Red Shed opens on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin: the next evolution of Telopea Park rowing, and a world-class facility combining rowing, wellness and community under one roof.
How Red Shed began
Red Shed exists because two people believed Canberra deserved a home for rowing, movement and wellbeing that was open to everyone. Founding donors John and Jeanette Gasson made Red Shed possible through their personal generosity.
John and Jeanette have rowed all their lives. John started at Telopea Park High School in the 1970s, one of the few public school students to get the chance. Jeanette picked it up at university and went on to represent Australia in 1984. They met through rowing and both are still in the sport today.
They spent ten years securing the Black Mountain Peninsula site. Their belief was a simple one, more oars in more hands. The chance John got as a kid from a public high school was rare. Red Shed exists so it isn’t.
Read their story in The Canberra Times. Want to help put more oars in more hands? Support Red Shed.
From the archives
