Friday, 14 November 2025

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn) (17:28): (1417) My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and the action I seek is that the minister join me in attending the Head of the Yarra event in my electorate later this month. As part of that, I hope that the minister will take the opportunity to investigate and help facilitate any appropriate grants and support available for sporting events like the Head of the Yarra, which is one of the largest events in my electorate. It is particularly loved by my community, and many of my region’s leading citizens are active as part of the Hawthorn Rowing Club.

The Head of the Yarra was inaugurated in 1957, and it brings together thousands of rowers, with some 300 eight-person crews from across Australia and even further afield, including many teams from across and throughout the Asia Pacific. They compete in an 8-kilometre race along the Yarra. It starts in the city and it finishes at Hawthorn Bridge, with its beautiful bluestone supports. The Head of the Yarra race ranks among the top three head races in the world, alongside the Head of the Charles in Boston and the tideway head of the Thames. Not only should it be a source of pride for our state and city, but also it is a testament to the calibre of our rowing community here in Melbourne and in Victoria. Rowing is a great sport, and it embodies many of the values we Victorians hold dear: mateship, having a go, giving your all, showing commitment and, above all else, having fun.

The Head of the Yarra is a major event for Melbourne. It is one of eastern Melbourne’s largest events in fact, and I believe there is a great deal more that we can do to grow this event and maximise its benefits for the broader Victorian community. I want to pay tribute in this endeavour by acknowledging the work of Hawthorn Rowing Club, Rob Perkins and everyone down there, who do such a terrific job in promoting and holding this event.