Donald Rowlands

No words can truly document and record what this man did for rowing. From 3 seat in the 1950 Empire Games eight he went on to win the gold medal in the single sculls at the Empire Games in Vancouver in 1954 and was reserve for the rowing crews at the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956. His administrative, engineering and leadership skills saw him contribute as selector and manager of New Zealand crews after his competitive days were over, and he was chairman and prime mover in having the 1978 World Rowing Championships at Karapiro. He was the leader of the development of fair courses for rowers, firstly in New Zealand, and while a member of the FISA Council was called on for advice at several rowing venues around the world. In his twilight years he was advisor of the course preparations for the second World Rowing championships at Karapiro in 2010. Don was knighted for his services to sport and business in January 2015 and died shortly after in March 2015. His medal will be received by his wife, Lady Coralie.