Deirdre Fraser
Bendigo Rowing Club and Melbourne University Women’s Rowing Club
1991 – Interstate Women’s Lightweight Four Championship two seat - First
1991 – World Championships – Women’s Lightweight Four three seat – Fifth
1992 – Interstate Women’s Lightweight Four Championship stroke - First
1992 – World Championships – Women’s Lightweight Four bow – Gold
1993 – Interstate Women’s Lightweight Four Championship three seat - First
1993 – World Championships – Women’s Lightweight Four bow – Fourth
1995 – Interstate Women’s Lightweight Four Championship two seat – Second
1995-1999 – General Manager Rowing Victoria Inc
1992 World Champions - Deirdre on the left hand side
Deirdre began rowing in late 1996 and credits her transition from beginner rower to Australian representative in four years to the many hours of training with her sister Caitlin and the advice of Deborah Basset. On joining Melbourne University Boat Club, Brian Dalton developed her with persistence and good humour as her coach. As a scholarship holder of the VIS from 1990-1995, Deirdre cites that the support of this then new program as a significant factor in her performance. As an aside, the VIS program was attributable to the foresight and leadership of inaugural CEO, the late Dr Frank Pyke.
Both she and her sister Caitlin represented Australia, she and Minnie Cade were one of the great lightweight pairs of Australia and fierce competitors. Deirdre also made a great contribution to the Victorian rowing as general manager of the Association. Deirdre married fellow rower Alan Peckham and lives in Melbourne.
Andrew Guerin 2013