Peak accolade for Ballarat's O'Brien

A MISSION to keep rowing alive in Ballarat has earnt Kevin O'Brien a rare service honour in the sport.The Wendouree-Ballarat rowing coach was awarded the Victorian Oarsmen and Women's Association Tom Rodda Award, an accolade last presented five years ago, for his dedication to cultivating new generations of rowers over the past 60 years.Seeing results has fuelled O'Brien's passion - from state and master rowers to Olympians - but he was humbled by the service recognition."It was surprised when I was told about it. I'm not sure exactly why they decided to bring this award back, but it's nice," he said."Coaching rowing is about the only thing I really know how to do well."It's exciting when you see your rowers performing well; you know you have taken them from a raw beginning to people who can achieve something on the water."O'Brien's past protégés include four-time Olympian Anthony Edwards and Beijing OIympian James Marburg and Australian masters' champion Leanne Martin.Drought and a dry Lake Wendouree have not halted O'Brien's work.He has instead worked tirelessly toward improving facilities at the Wendouree-Ballarat Rowing Club, including a revamped ergometer training area.O'Brien has also moved training sessions to waters at Geelong and Creswick to ensure Ballarat rowers still have constructive time in boats.Rowing is a way of life in his family, and O'Brien's three sons have followed in his coaching footsteps.Chris O'Brien is an Australian rowing coach, who led Drew Ginn and Duncan Free to Olympic gold in the men's pairs at Beijing, while his brothers are stationed in rowing positions at St Patrick's College, Ballarat and Lauriston Girls' School, Melbourne.The Tom Rodda award was named in honour of a top Victorian rowing course surveyor, who was also a crew selector for the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games when rowing was held on Lake Wendouree.