Allan Polloch

St George Rowing Club (NSW)

The following obituary appeared on the Rowing NSW on 21st November 2016.

Rowing NSW is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Allan Pollock after a battle with lung cancer.

Allan passed away in the evening of Saturday, November 19th 2016, aged 60 years. Representing St George Rowing Club, Allan was a three time medallist in the Lightweight Single Scull at the National Championships, winning back to back Silver Medals in 1982 and 1983 as well as a Bronze Medal in 1985.

Allan represented Australia in the 1983 World Championships in the Lightweight Men’s Single Scull, placing fifth. He won the National Championship in the Men’s Double Scull in Lake Barrington, Tasmania in 1984 in partnership with Tim McLaren and later that year was selected as a Reserve for the Men’s Quad Scull which won the Silver Medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

In 2008, after a long break from competition, Allan returned to the water with St George Rowing Club in Masters Competition. Three years later, he again enjoyed success on Lake Barrington, winning the Men’s E Double at the Australian Masters, this time with Peter McLaren, Tim’s brother. Also in 2011, Allan was selected in an all-St George NSW Masters Quad Scull that won the Bronze Medal. Allan was a Life Member of St George Rowing Club and served as Vice-Captain as well as on the Board of Directors.

Key rowing highlights

1983 – World Championships – Men’s Lightweight Single Scull - Fifth

1984 – Olympic Games – Men’s Quad Scull – reserve

Alan married fellow rowing Olympian Karen Brancourt.

Allan Polloch training for 1983 World Championships

Andrew Guerin
December 2024

Sources:

Rowing NSW website 21st November 2016 for obituary
Inset image courtesy of Steven Harrison, Captain St George Rowing Club
1983 from the Hebfotos collection

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
These contents of this history are copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. However given that the purpose of the history is to assist rowers and rowing clubs, written permission is not required for non-commercial usage by rowers and rowing clubs provided acknowledgement is made.

Disclaimer: Whilst extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied, the editors take no responsibility for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from inaccuracies contained in this work.