Rowing Australia today congratulated Queensland’s Bob Alexander upon the announcement that he has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Governor General’s Australia Day Honours List for 2015.
Mr Alexander receives his medal in recognition of his contribution to the sport of rowing in Australia both as a competitor and as an administrator. Also recognised for their services to Australian rowing was New Zealand’s Sir Don Rowlands who received an honourary Medal of the Order of Australia for his work in the sport.
Queensland-born Robert ‘Bob’ Alexander has been involved with the sport of rowing from a young age, having raced for The Southport School from 1961 to 1964. He represented Queensland 13 times during the Interstate Regatta with a highlight being his victory in the 1975 event where he claimed the President’s Cup for the Men’s Single Scull at Lake Kurwongbah, Queensland.
His victory in 1975 saw him then selected to race for Australia in the Men’s Single Scull at the 1975 World Rowing Championships, where he was unfortunately eliminated in the repechage.
Post competitive rowing, Mr Alexander has had extensive career working with Rowing Queensland as their Regatta Secretary since 1986 and was later made a life member of the organisation. He is a tireless volunteer and advocate of the sport and continues working closely with Brisbane and GPS Rowing Club, school rowing as well as Rowing Queensland.
Sir Don Rowlands received his honourary AM for his hard work and contribution to the sport of rowing having been the FISA Continental Representative for Oceania 1974 to 1992, a position later held by the Australian Olympic Committee’s John Coates.
Sir Don assisted Rowing Australia greatly in obtaining the hosting of the 1990 World Rowing Championships and advised extensively on the creation of the course that was to the host event, Lake Barrington, Tasmania. Sir Don later went on to help with the establishment of the Sydney International Regatta Centre course for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, a course which is regularly utilised for major competition still.
Rowing Australia Chairman, Rob Scott said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate both Bob and Sir Don on receiving the recognition for their hard work over the years for the sport of rowing in Australia.
“Their efforts across the sport both in a competitive nature and as volunteers are greatly appreciated and these honours further recognise their dedication.”