DRC Founder honoured with the Rowing Canada Aviron Centennial Medal of Merit…

Rob Millikin, one of the Durham Rowing Club (DRC) Founders, and current UOIT rowing head coach has been presented with the Rowing Canada Aviron Centennial Medal of Merit for his contributions to the sport, one of Rowing Canada’s highest honours at the 2009 Rowing Canada Aviron Annual General Meeting and Award’s Banquet, held in Vancouver, British Columbia, December 5, 2009.

… and makes Scugog Mayor’s Honour Role for 2009.

Mayor Marilyn Pearce had some very kind words to say about Rob, her message published in the Focus on Scugog Newsletter:

“The Scugog resident and over 30 year veteran of the sport Rowing first came to my attention back in the early 1990’s when the need arose for the Durham Rowing Club to find new facilities to accommodate their club. As Chair of Parks and Recreation at the time, I had the chance to see first hand how well Rob did at selling the folks on his “vision” for the sport and that Lake Scugog was a perfect spot for making that vision a reality. He was instrumental in overseeing the building of the present rowing facility and in 2006 was there when the UOIT Ridgebacks hit the water in their first regatta. His task will not be complete until the Scugog Regatta Course is built. For over 17 years Rob has been involved in teaching both young and old the joys of rowing – he even had me believing it is good to get up at 5 in the morning. I have two photo images of rowing my office wall and visitors to my office inevitably comment on them. We are extremely fortunate to have this program in our community and even more fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers as Rob making it happen.”

Just to scratch the surface of Rob’s contributions to the sport of rowing in Durham Region and Ontario…

Being involved with rowing for over 56 years, Rob began rowing with the Leander Boat Club in 1953. In 1989, he was one of the founders of the Durham Rowing Club (DRC), which is located and still running in Port Perry, Ont. As a member of the DRC, he served as president for two terms, most recently from 2004 to 2006. He also served on various committees and has coached at the DRC since the opening of the club. He has served on the board of the Ontario Rowing Association, as vice-president from 1992-1996 and secretary from 1996-1998.

In 2006, Millikin made another big impact in the Durham Region rowing community as he was named the inaugural head coach of the rowing program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Millikin has received a number of awards for his contribution to rowing. In 1999, he was awarded the Province of Ontario’s Special Achievement Award. In 2003 and 2004, he was the named the Ontario Rowing Association official of the year and in 2006, he was Rowing Canada’s volunteer of the year.

The Durham Rowing Club is very honoured to have such an individual so passionate about the sport of rowing and the community involved in our club, and we extend our congratulations again!

References:

Focus on Scugog Newsletter UOIT

Ridgebacks Media Releases; Scott Dennis; Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator, Durham College and UOIT Athletics