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Iain A Macdonald

Mosman Rowing Club (NSW) and Sydney University Boat Club (NSW)

Iain Alisdair MacDonald - died in 29 Sept 2024.

Iain was a great servant of the sport who raced well as a young man and managed various rowing teams including 1974 World Championship team which produced Australia's gold medal winning lightweight four. He was also a President of Sydney University Rowing Club and volunteered his time as a boat race official for many years, travelling from regional NSW to attend regattas to officiate, providing an invaluable contribution to the sport.

The Mosman centenary history "Red and White Hoops" records that Iain was prolific race winner taking 12 races in 1961 season.

A pharmacist by profession, he practised originally in Sydney before moving to a regional town. His care for his patients was clear and it is relayed to the author that this led to him to occasionally berate some who did not look after themselves!

He was also an avid cross country skier doing many Paddy Pallins.

1960 - bow of winning SUBC eight at the Australian Universities Championships

1974 Australian Men's Team
back row: C Johnston, G Rees, E O'Loughlin, W Magennis, G Petlin, A Michelmore, C Smith, G Xouris
middle row: L Anderson, S Newnham, B Weir, C Shinners, B Curtin, W Dankbaar, R Curtin, T Conrad
front row: G Jenner, I Luxford, M Grace, Iain MacDonald, J Saunders, P Philp, M Shaw, J Donnelly

Known rowing record

1960 - Australian University Championships, Men's Eight, bow - First

1961 - Australian University Championships, Men's Eight, two seat - First

1961 - Trans Tasman Series, reserve

1962 - National Championships, Men's Double Scull, Bow - Second

1967 - Australian University Championships, Men's Eight, three seat - Fourth

1968 - National Championships, Men's Double Scull, stroke - Second

1974 - World Championships, Team Manager

Andrew Guerin
September 2024

Sources:

Author's own records
Discussions with Chris Noel and Phil Sharp
Rowing NSW obituary published 2nd October on its website including the umpiring image
1960 image from Hamish MacDonald

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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