The Gunter Eight

In January 2018, we lost a remarkable young man who took his own life after battling depression for several years. Liam Fitzpatrick was a thoughtful, compassionate scally-wag who touched the lives of so many people. In 2014, Liam was selected to be the Captain of Boats for the Ballarat Clarendon College Rowing Team. In rowing, Liam found an outlet where his inner turmoil could be shelved for a period of time and where he could apply his trademark intensity to the ergo, training or race. All the while with those big blue eyes glaring intently – straight ahead.

At this year’s National Championships, the Ballarat Clarendon College Open Division 1 four will be rowing an eight with their rivals from across the lake, Ballarat Grammar, in the Under 19 coxed eight event. One member of the Ballarat Grammar crew, Henry Armstrong, grew up only a few kilometres from Liam’s boyhood home in Tatyoon. The Armstrongs and the Fitzpatricks have shared that special bond that only close neighbours can.

In memory of Liam, and as an opportunity to increase awareness of this insidious disease that affects far too many people within our society, we would like to dedicate this eight to Liam. Fitzy or Gunter, as he was known, would have loved the opportunity to race in this boat at the highest level.

Liam’s parents, Bernie and Kevin, fully support this initiative – Bernie even suggested it would be great if they could be in Sydney to watch the boys race! Throughout Liam’s struggles, he was accessing help from SANE Australia, a national mental health charity working to support four million Australians affected by complex mental illness. SANE’s work includes mental health awareness, online peer support and information, stigma reduction, specialist helpline support, research and advocacy. Guided by their vision and mission, values and behaviours, they help people improve their lives and reduce the risk of suicide.

As a part of this campaign, we would like people to share Liam’s story and to spread the message of The Gunter Eight and the wonderful work SANE Australia does.

We would also like people to donate to SANE Australia via their website.

And, just to make it a bit more interesting, we thought we’d add in some form of competition – just as Gunter would have liked! As there are 8 crews in the race, if The Gunter Eight finish 8th, people will donate $10. If they finish 7th - $20 and so on up until the gold medal, whereby people will donate $80! Or, if you just want to jump on and make a donation, we would be very grateful and we know that Bernie and Kevin would appreciate your support.

The race takes place on Saturday 24 March at 8.50am in Sydney and you can follow along at http://sirr.rowingaustralia.com.au/sirr-live-stream/