The Source: Sir Richard Branson takes swipe at Melbourne Covid lockdowns, backs Swedish strategy

Rumours over an Olympic rowing cox purportedly raining “celebrations” at a rival coach in a feud between Melbourne private schools have been swept away as he steers his way toward the 2024 Games.

James Rook has sailed past some controversies. Picture: Getty Images

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

Olympic rowing cox James Rook, known as “Rooknoosh” and “Naughty Rookie” in the private school rowing community, appears to have cruised past some controversies of earlier this year.

Rook was recalled from coaching at the Australian Rowing Championships in Perth in May after reports of questionable behaviour leaked, concerning a purported feud between Melbourne private schools.

He was head coach and first XIII coach at Loreto Toorak when the school won the Head of School Girls competition, which means everything for those invested in the cultish demands of private school rowing, and nothing to those who are not.

Rumours have swirled about an Olympian rowing cox. Picture: Robert McKechnie

One persistent rumour claimed Rook had rained his “celebrations” from a balcony in taking aim at the coach of another school, prompting various school-related investigations.

The Source has been assured that Rook was cleared of wrongdoing.

Rook, who coxed the women’s VIII at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has been overseas. Now the Melbourne University Boat Club has offered him another chance at Olympic glory.

Christian Ryan from the MUBC — Australia’s oldest boat club dating back to 1859 — said Rook was doing volunteer coaching and was in finals contention for the 2024 Olympics as a women’s VIII cox.

Ryan was talking up Rook, saying the club “provides opportunity for young people to meet their aspirations and dreams in terms of going to the Olympic Games”.

“He’s been given another opportunity and we’re excited about that,” he said.

Richard Branson has taken a subtle swipe at Victoria’s lockdowns. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A name that may sleigh

The festive season is supposed to embrace optimism and giving which, in some instances, leads to group exchanges of presents of a prescribed value.

One local man, however, may be slightly distracted this Christmas.

Last week, he faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on threat to kill charges.

Next June, he will face Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on firearms-related charges laid by Echo Taskforce.

His name?

Christopher Kringle.

Branson takes swipe at Melbourne lockdowns

Boat owner Sir Richard Branson has taken a subtle swipe at Victoria’s record-breaking pandemic lockdowns and its effect on people’s mental health.

“It (mental health) certainly has been a problem and the effect of locking people up during Covid, the negative effect, arguably outweighs the amount of people who ended up dying from Covid,” Branson told a businesswomen’s event in Melbourne on Monday.

With the benefit of hindsight, Branson said authorities would have probably handled the Covid response differently.

Branson was in town to launch Virgin Cruise liner Resilient Lady. Picture: Supplied

“Sweden decided not to close down. They warned older people to be very careful, but younger people could still go out and meet other young people,” the business mogul added.

“The death rate in Sweden... they were 22nd per head of population compared to (the) rest of Europe. Young people didn’t end up being depressed because they could carry on life as normal. I think we could learn from Sweden’s example if this situation happens again.”

Melbourne had six lockdowns totalling 262 days since March 2020.

Branson visited Melbourne to launch a cruise ship.

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