John S McLeod OAM

Newcastle Rowing Club (NSW)

John was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the community of Newcastle. He has been a mainstay of Newcastle and Central Districts rowing for a long period of time.

His Australian Honours citation is as follows.

For service to the community of Newcastle.

Newcastle Rowing Club

President, since 1999.
Club Captain, 1996-1998.
Committee Member, since 1994.
Volunteer Coach, since 1993.
Life Member, 2009.

Central Districts Rowing Association

Secretary/Treasurer, since 2001.
Boat Race Official, current.
Member, Regatta Draw Subcommittee, 2000.
Member, since 1997.

Rowing Other

Member and Club Captain, University Boat Club, Newcastle University, 1967-1971.
Volunteer, State and National Rowing Championships, Sydney International Regatta Centre.

Newcastle High School

Member, Parents and Citizens Association, 5 years.
Member, Old Boys Club.

Port of Newcastle

Community Representative, Community Liaison Group, since 2014.
Volunteer, Technical Advisory Consultative Committee, since 2002.

Community

Member, Throsby Creek Government Agencies Committee, current.
Volunteer, Clean up Australia Day.
Member, Newcastle and Kuala Lumpur Apex Service Clubs.
Member, Carrington Community Council, current.

Awards and recognition include:

Master of the Year, New South Wales Union of Rowers, 2019.
50 Years Recognition Award, for 50 Years of Meritorious and Commendable Service to the Sport of Rowing, New South Wales Union of Rowers, 2018.
Rowlock Award, Newcastle Rowing Club, 2002.

Colin Charters in his book Just Add Water - The times and tides of Newcastle Rowing Club published by Seaview Press 2009 offered the following words on John:

"John began rowing with Newcastle University Boat Club (NUBC) in 1967 following a long term interest in rowing emanating from the extensive publicity then given to the GPS Head of the River regatta. He competed in lightweight fours and eights at intervarsity regattas between 1968 and 1971 and was a member of the organising committee when NUBC hosted the Men's intervarsity regatta at Taree in 1972. He was club captain of NUBC in 1969 and 1971.

"After a break he joined Newcastle Rowing Club in 1993 together with son Stuart and later youngest son Hugh. Since then he has participated in most of the regattas held locally with considerable success. John was elected to the club committee in 1994/95, Club Vice Captain in 1995-96, Club Captain in Captain 96/97 and Club President from 1999 onwards. In 2002 John became Secretary/Treasurer of Central Districts Rowing Association (CDRA) a position held to for a long period of time."

John McLeod

"Following coaching training, John has coached many crews and scullers to success at Regional, Combined High Schools (CHS) State and National regattas. Additionally he has been involved in the organisation and coaching at the annual CDRA coaching camp held at the Manning River Rowing Club. During his involvement with the club he has been the driving force in the organisation of most of the regattas conducted by the club; development of Throsby Creek as a regatta course; he introduced the "Linwood Throsby Gift" relay race and has worked tirelessly in the repair and maintenance of the club boat fleet. His most enduring legacy however is the bringing the club's boat shed to fruition. John was awarded a well-deserved life membership in August 2009."

Andrew Guerin
June 2021

Sources:

Colin Charters in his book Just Add Water - The times and tides of Newcastle Rowing Club published by Seaview Press 2009
Image from Rowing NSW
https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2009465

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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