John Fairbank
Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (VIC)
Life member 1995/96
Joined 1983/84 and rowed mainly in masters events, and recorded a win in club races. His coaching for the Club was extensive and important.
His administrative work for the Club was significant being Secretary from 1984/85 to 1991/92, President 1992/93 and Vice president until his parting.
John also was a Victorian Boat Race Official for a number of years.
From the Yarra Yarra Rowing Club newsletter Yarra Yabbie no. 30 1989-3-20
V.R.A. officials- Yarra Yarra has been supplying up to 80% of officials for some country regattas before Xmas. We add three more to the list, John Fairbank, Mark Brown, Chris Long.
Also from the Yarra Yabbie no. 35 1990-3-20
John L Fairbank” second hand L/W four, christened by his wife Jenny, John our secretary, public officer, successful coach and rower from Bradford.
1984 - John in bow seat of the Yarra Yarra eight
John in yellow jacket at Horsham Regatta in 1985
Recorded wins:-
1986 - Nagambie veteran regatta “D” four (bow)
1988 - Wentworth regatta female novice eight (coach)
1988 - Metropolitan regatta female novice four (coach)
1988 - Metropolitan regatta female novice four (coach)
1988 - Dimboola regatta female novice four (coach)
1988 - Horsham regatta female novice four (coach)
1989 - Victorian Universities regatta female intermediate four (coach)
1990 - Yarra Yarra regatta female intermediate pair (coach)
1990 - Dimboola regatta female senior “C” four (coach)
1990 - Wendouree Ballarat regatta female open four (coach)
1991- Essendon ladies regatta female novice pair (coach)
1991 - Footscray regatta female novice pair (coach)
1991 - Scotch Mercantile regatta female novice four (coach)
1991 - Mildura regatta female intermediate four (coach)
1991 - Wentworth regatta female novice pair (coach)
1991 - Metropolitan regatta female open pair (coach) and Female open four (coach)
1991 - Yarra Yarra regatta female intermediate four (coach)
1991 - Barwon spring ding regatta female intermediate four (coach)
1991 - Dimboola regatta female intermediate pair (coach)
1991 - Horsham regatta female intermediate pair (coach)
1992 - Banks regatta female novice four (coach)
1992 - Footscray regatta female novice pair (coach)
1992 - Mildura regatta female novice pair (coach)
1992 - Dimboola regatta men’s intermediate four (coach) and Men’s novice four (coach)
1992 - Horsham regatta men’s novice eight (coach)
1992 - Wendouree Ballarat regatta male novice eight (coach)
1992 - Colac regatta male novice eight (coach)
1992 - Warrnambool regatta male intermediate four (coach) and Male intermediate eight (coach)
1992 - Hamilton regatta male intermediate eight (coach)
1992 - Nagambie regatta male intermediate four (coach)
1993 - Mildura regatta female novice pair (coach)
1993 - Wentworth regatta male novice pair (coach)
1995 - Henley regatta men’s veteran eight (bow)
1997 Masters crew with John in bow
From the Club's 1998/99 annual report:-
John Fairbank
John Fairbank joined YYRC in 1981. He quickly became involved in the administration of the club and his skill and professionalism had a marked effect on the club. John held the position as secretary until the early nineties when he became club president. Business and rowing coaching commitments required John to scale back his administrative role at the club and John has remained a vice president of the club and coach up to his passing in May 1999. John also held a position on the VRA executive for some time and was the YYRC delegate on many other committees and meetings. John was rightly considered one of the best administrators in Victorian Rowing.
Throughout the last 10 years, John spent considerable amount of his time coaching crews. I believe he enjoyed this aspect of his rowing more than any other. His influence on many of the club’s past and present members will not be lost. A wonderful member of our club who will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts to Jenny Fairbank, Steve, Penny, Nick and Jenny Gardner.
Jim Skidmore
May 2024