David G A Douglas
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
1967 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship four seat – Fourth
1967 – USA National Championships – Men’s Coxed Four – Second
1967 – North American Championships – Men’s Coxed Four – First
1967 – European Championships – Men’s Coxed Four – Eighth
1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship six seat – Second
1968 – Olympic Games – Men’s Eight Four seat – Silver
1969 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship six seat – First
1970 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship six seat – First
1970 – World Championships – Men’s Eight six seat – Fifth
1971 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship three seat – First
1972 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship emergency
1980 – National Championships Men’s Four – First
1980 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship two seat – First
David commenced his rowing at Scotch College rowing in the six seat of their 1965 crew which was not successful. He then joined Mercantile and enjoyed an extremely long rowing career spanning 1967-80. He still remains a very fit gentleman.
After a decade in the Olympic results wilderness, the 1968 Olympic Eight was the proof that Australian rowing had returned to world standard. The total Australian Olympic team was restricted to 180 people so rowing was well represented in view of the 1964 results. One coach and a rowing team manager were also permitted. This crew was important for Australian rowing and David Douglas who was the only Victorian in that crew.
Above – 1968 Olympic Eight – David in four seat
David was the only non NSW oarsman to be selected into the silver medal winning 1968 Olympic eight. As the NSW crew was a tight and success crew, fashioned by Sydney Rowing Club coach Phil Cayzer and stroke Alf Duval, this was a significant achievement. David is the father of Georgina Douglas, another rowing Olympian in 1996 and 2000 and Robert, who is an Australian representative. David returned to rowing some 12 years after his Olympic silver medal to win a King’s Cup and a National Championship men’s four. His experience played a large role in the development of several rowers who went onto being Olympians. He also was a highly influential person at Mercantile Rowing Club where he was Chairman of Selectors for several years.
Andrew Guerin Sept 2015