In Memoriam: Bill Smedley
Bill Smedley, part of the crew that charged to Commonwealth Games gold in 1962, died in Dunedin on Friday, aged 84, after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Smedley, Win Stephens, Keith Heselwood and George Paterson became hometown heroes when they were selected as a crew to represent New Zealand in Perth.
With Smedley in the No 2 seat, the Oamaru four had won the New Zealand title in 1961 and 1962, and they won a trial race against the national squad.
Coached by the master, Rusty Robertson, the Oamaru four was the last club-based team to represent New Zealand, and celebrated with Commonwealth Games victory alongside Waikato cox Doug Pulman.
Both Heselwood and Paterson died in 2020.
Smedley’s wife, Moana, published a book called The Oamaru Four last year.
Our condolences to family and friends of Bill Smedley.