Today, The Tin Shed remains largely what it has always been: a shed beside the Brisbane River. But what it represents has become much bigger. KAND's continued growth and success means there are now plans to expand the boathouse and its facilities, but the original Tin Shed will remain. It is a reminder of humble beginnings and of the people who rolled up their sleeves and built it. The facilities around it may grow and change, but The Tin Shed name, and the original Tin Shed itself, will always remain a part of us.
THE TIN SHED ORIGINS
On the banks of the Brisbane River sits a modest structure affectionately known throughout KAND, and increasingly within rowing circles, as The Tin Shed. Its story began in 2018.
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With a very small budget and a patch of grass beside the river, a plan was put in place to build a simple structure with one practical purpose: somewhere to safely house the boats. The Tin Shed was very much the baby project of Scott Rowe, affectionately regarded within KAND as one of the fathers of the club. Together with his son Miller Rowe, Kelly Armitage and a small group of fellow rowers and supporters, they set about building it themselves.
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There was nothing elaborate about the project. From preparing the ground and constructing the launch ramp to putting the first posts in place, everyone chipped in wherever they could. There was no grand clubhouse or expensive fit-out. The shed didn't need to be impressive. It just needed to protect the boats. During construction, the group began casually referring to their new home as "The Tin Shed." The name stuck.
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Over the years, the little shed became far more than somewhere to store boats. It became a meeting place for athletes, coaches and friends, quietly witnessing countless early mornings, training sessions, friendships, celebrations and achievements. As the success of the athletes training from it grew, so too did the affection for the humble building they came from.
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Kelly Armitage watching the very beginning of The Tin Shed story, 2018.
The Tin Shed begins to take shape, 2018
The Building of The Tin ShedÂ
The photographs below capture the building of The Tin Shed from the very beginning in 2018. From a bare patch of ground and the first preparations beside the river, through each stage of construction, they offer a glimpse into how our humble home was built from scratch by the people who rolled up their sleeves and brought it to life.
Miller Rowe, building The Tin Shed, 2018.
Building the original launch ramp, 2018.
Heavy lifting underway as The Tin Shed takes shape, 2018.
Launch ramp taking shape, 2018.
Many hands, one vision. The first signs of The Tin Shed emerging in 2018, hand built by the people who believed in KAND.
The Tin Shed today. Where humble beginnings became a proud legacy, 2026.