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Home / Sport

Rowing legend Sir Don Rowlands dies

Herald online
18 Mar, 2015 07:47 PM3 mins to read

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Sir Don Rowlands' achievements include winning the single sculls championship at the 1954 Commonwealth Games.

Sir Don Rowlands' achievements include winning the single sculls championship at the 1954 Commonwealth Games.

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Rowing legend Sir Don Rowlands has passed away.

Sir Don made his name on and off the water with considerable contributions to rowing in New Zealand and internationally, as well as being a successful businessman.

Rowlands was appointed as a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Years Honours list last year and it came just a month after becoming one of the few New Zealanders appointed to the Order of Australia.

Sir Don began what would be a lifelong passion for rowing in the 1940s while working for Mason Brothers Engineering. He competed in the Business House competition for the John Thompson memorial cup, an annual event, and continued his rowing career from there.

His success and natural talent have been recognised with numerous awards over the years, and having won medals at the Commonwealth Games in the 1950s among other rowing achievements, Rowlands went on to play a leadership role in the sport.

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This included helping to organise local events such as the Maadi Cup, as well as international events such as the Olympics, for which he received a bronze medal of the Olympic Order in 1981.

Rowing NZ and the Rowing World has lost an outstanding person with the death of Sir Don Rowlands this afternoon RIP pic.twitter.com/06TNw7JGbH

— Rob (@nzrowing) March 18, 2015

RIP Sir Don Rowlands. @RowingNZ wouldn't be what it is now with out you. Your support to me has meant so much. You will be missed.

— Joseph Sullivan (@SullivanNz) March 18, 2015

Sad to hear of the passing of Sir Don Rowlands. One of the great men of NZ Rowing, NZ Sport, NZ Business. A fine gentlemen. #R.I.PSirDOn.

— Bevan Sanson (@BevanSanson) March 18, 2015

Rest in peace Sir Don Rowlands. NZ&world rowing communities will remember your legacy for many generations to come. pic.twitter.com/BB67zThpEe

— Rowing New Zealand (@RowingNZ) March 18, 2015

Sadden to hear this morning the passing of Sir Don Rowlands. A true legend in our sport and business. http://t.co/iEEKNsMCQ5

— Peter Taylor (@petertaylornz) March 18, 2015

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