Paul Dooley
Mersey Rowing Club (TAS) then Commercial Rowing Club (QLD)
The following obituary appeared in the Rowing Queensland Newsletter Volume 1 No 2 in September 1993.
Sad loss for Commercial
By Wally Hughes
Around the latter part of 1979 Paul Dooley introduced himself to Commercial Rowing Club as a coach.
A foundation member of the reformed Tasmanian Mersey Club, he served several years there as boat captain. He coupled this with some successful sculling and sweep rowing. His experience coaching Mersey juniors and school crews led him to gravitate to coaching junior scullers for Commercial.
Not one to mince words he, however, had a great rapport with youngsters -perhaps because he was one of eleven children!
Paul "Dools" Dooley
Suddenly and tragically for those who knew him, Paul died in his sleep last year aged 54.
His young proteges were devastated at his passing. Only a few hours before he had been ecstatic over regatta successes they had recorded.
Paul devoted much time to the Club and to his charges and his efforts are still bearing fruit.
Ralph Cruikshank, double-sculling with another Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder, has emerged from the world men's junior championship titles in Norway with a bronze medal.
"Dools" nurtured Ralph through his school and formative years of sculling.
Private by nature and small of stature Paul lives large in our memories enhanced by the ongoing successes of his squad members.
He will be sadly missed.
Extracted by Andrew Guerin
November 2024