In memory of Don Gemmell
DON GEMMELL – WHANGANUI ROWING ICON
Donald Leslie Gemmell passed away at Whanganui on 22 June 2022. He was in his 90th year.
Don won his first Redcoat at Whanganui in 1958 stroking the Union Boat Club coxed four to success on the 2000 metre Whanganui Championship Course. He won further Redcoats when he stroked the successful Union Boat Club Champion 8 at Waihola in 1959 and then rowed in the 7 seat of the winning Union 8 in 1960 at Picton.
Don’s international career commenced in 1956 when he was selected in a New Zealand Four to complete at the Melbourne Olympics. He, along with Alan Tong, Union Boat Club, and Ray Laurent and Peter Lucas from the Clifton Rowing Club from Waitara and coxswain, Colin Johnstone, from the Aramoho Boating Club comprised the crew, and they were coached by Clarrie Healey, from the Union Boat Club. The crew were ranked 7th out of the 10 entries in that Olympic event.
Following the Union Boat Club’s win in the Champion Fours at the 1958 Championship Regatta, held at Whanganui, the crew was selected to row at the 1958 British Empire Games at Cardiff. Don stroked the crew with Peter Aitchison in 3 seat, Frank Crotty at 2 and Graeme Moran in the bow. Richard Tuffin was coxswain and Eugene Crotty the travelling reserve. Clarrie Healey was appointed coach. The crew were ranked 4th in that Games event.
Don was farewelled at a private service in Whanganui on Friday 1st July 2022.