FEATURE ARTICLE 

Delightful Duo Excel Both In and Out Of Water
By Noel McMahon

Bill and Jane Robinson share more than the same name – of course, they are father and daughter, but they also share a love of water sports. One loves rowing, the other canoeing. Bill Robinson is an imposing figure. Standing 6ft 6 inches and wearing size 15 shoes, they call him Big Bill for good reason!   

In 1990, Bill fulfilled his life long desire to do the Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon, but had many difficulties finding a boat to fit his large frame. “I squeezed myself into the shell and could hardly keep it upright…Three capsizes later, at the end of day one, I wondered what it was all about,” Bill said.

Despite the discomfort, everything else about the Marathon was just magic. To overcome his painful ride, Bill designed his own boat. “It was the world’s most comfortable Kayak seat,” he boasted. 

Five o’clock on Christmas Day, 1991, the “Bill Robinson Special” was put to the test. “I flew down the river and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. The bug had got me and I have done the race the last ten years in a row.” 

In 1992, Jane followed her father’s footsteps and embarked on an epic paddle that would change her life. “I wasn’t sporty at all, and I said ‘I am going to do this (marathon) one day’ and everyone thought it was very funny,” she remembered.

Jane always had a competitive nature but had never found the right outlet for her drive and hidden talents. “At school the only thing I showed any ability for was backstroke, which is funny considering I am a rower. I am quicker at going backwards than I am going forward.” 

Jane came third in a TKI (Touring Kayak – 1 person) that year, and her love affair with the water had begun.  In 1993, she decided she was quite taken with the elite scene of rowing and decided she wanted to be a part of it. 

After expert coaching and some damn hard work, Jane Robinson ‘The Sculler’ was born. Fronting up at the Murray Marathon, Jane went one better than her previous year and gained second place.  

Jane’s meteoric rise had begun. From here, she finished 6^th in the European Championships and collected a first place in the Olympic selection regatta in Switzerland, which had her packing her bags for Atlanta. In three years, Jane had gone from novice to Olympian.  

After an ordinary 1999 competing on the international scene, Jane decided to swap from sculling to sweep oar rowing, a decision which took her to the Sydney Olympic games, stroking the eight. Jane recalls, “My sweep oar experience was extremely limited so I had to learn a whole new sport.” 

After a disappointing result at the Olympics, Jane admitted “It has made me want to do the Murray again in the single skull, as a sort of punishment.” 

She does mention however that, “It will be good to get back with my friends and family. The Murray is very social and I have met a lot of good people over the years. That is what the marathon is about, people get to know each other.” 

Bill and Jane have not only achieved on the water, but also on land. Their tremendous fund-raising efforts have seen them both top the list for the highest amount of $ raised for the Red Cross. Bill took out the honours in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1999 and Jane took out the highest individual fundraiser in 1997. They truly are a talented duo.

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