A Christening to Remember

Pea Fairhead returned to Guildford Grammar for a meaningful ceremony. The christening of the Girls 1st VIII rowing boat, Sweet Pea Fairhead.

With rain softly falling all day, the time-honoured tradition was moved under the shelter of the rowing shed. Christening a rowing boat is a centuries-old seafaring custom and in honour of our new Girls 1st VIII boat, the crew selected Pea as someone who has made a lasting contribution to Guildford Grammar.

Known affectionately as Sweet Pea, she taught English at the School in the 1990s. Already an accomplished rower – one of the first women to compete at UWA and in Western Australia – she was approached by Guildford Grammar rowing legend Doger Patton to coach novice rowers and later the Year 9 A Eight.

Pea went on to become the first woman at the School to be appointed Master in Charge (MIC) of Rowing. She remains grateful for the opportunity, saying, “it was not just a job – it was a delight, each and every day.” She credits her years at Guildford Grammar, working with Tony Lovrich and the other coaches, as “the happiest and most rewarding years of my life.” Her family knew that during the rowing season, she was MIC first.

Beneath the Rowing Shed was a hill dubbed the “Hill of Death” – something, as Pea recalls, “the boys would not remember fondly.” Rule breaking meant running up and down the steep rocky slope, “the length of time allocated being commensurate with their transgression.”

She also remembers glimpses of gentleness from the strong young rowers under her care. On a Collie rowing camp, she spotted a “big strong fella” quietly tucking a discarded pink teddy under his arm while watching a rowing video – a moment that stayed with her.

Some of her fondest memories, however, were with her dear friend Tony Lovrich. They shared many laughs, endless TimTams, and a comforting phrase whenever times were tough: “don’t worry.” “Happier days I cannot imagine,” Pea reflected.

Pea’s influence at Guildford Grammar runs alongside a broader family connection. Her brother, Fred Fairhead, also an Old Guildfordian, went on to serve in Vietnam, rising to Lieutenant Colonel and writing three books – one of which is now used in the training of soldiers. Her son, himself a proud Old Guildfordian, shared his admiration on the day, saying how proud he was of his mother’s accomplishments and the way she “cared for all the boys who crossed her path.”

Despite being unwell and needing rest, Pea was determined to be present for this christening, a moment her son described as deeply special for both of them, for the boat shed and for the 1st VIII girls crew.

In her dedication, Pea reflected on how things have changed. Meeting the current Girls 1st VIII and 1st IV, she described them as “an extremely impressive group of young women whose proven talents are most certainly not to be taken lightly.” She admitted she “would not have fared very well” against the strength and success of today’s crews.

She dedicated the boat to future Guildford Grammar girls, wishing them to “become happily at one with each other, hone your skills further and may your brilliance shine even more brightly at all future regattas.” Her final encouragement was simple, “train hard, take heed of Ethan your excellent coach, maintain your highly competitive spirit and have fun” – just as she had all those years ago.

Tony Lovrich echoed her words, thanking Pea for her commitment to building the culture of rowing at Guildford Grammar into what it is today.

The boat was christened in the traditional way, with a bottle of bubbles smashed over the hull. It was a fun and emotional moment for Pea, her family and our rowing girls, who felt the weight of the occasion. Tears and hugs followed, as a warm feeling settled over the rowing shed.

There was something unspoken in that space – a history rich with tradition, now carried forward by our girls. It means something. It means a lot to this community. To be part of it is special. To carry it into the next generation of girls and boys ensures the essence and spirit of Guildford Grammar continues to grow. We were lucky to be there and we are lucky to be part of this community as it grows and evolves.