Home > Rowing Profiles > Graham, Roy C "Chic"

Roy C "Chic" Graham

Tweed Heads & Coolangatta Rowing Club (QLD)

Chic Graham was a noted surf lifesaver before his wife Shirley got the rowing bug and took up the sport to avoid being left in his words, a "rowing widow". He joined her in the sport from 1967 and was a key coach at his club. He started coaching his wife in 1969 with great effect. Shirley and Chic were true trailblazers of women's rowing in Australia in international competition. As far as the author can gather, Shirley coached by Chic was the first Australian woman to compete in the European Championships in 1972 and was one of several women to compete at the first World Championships for women in 1974. What makes this even more special is that she was a lightweight who also raced in open competition.

Shirley and Chic celebrating a win

Rowing record

1969 - Queensland Championships, senior four, coach - First

1969 - Queensland Championships, senior four, stroke - First

1969 - Interstate Championships - ULVA Trophy QLD, coach - Third

1969 - Interstate Championships - Victoria Cup QLD, coach - Third

1970 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy, coach - third

1970 - Queensland Championships, senior four, coach - First

1970 - Interstate Championships, ULVA Trophy, coach - Third

1970 - Interstate Championships, Victoria Cup, coach - Third

1971 - Queensland Championships, senior four, coach - First

1971 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy, coach - Second

1972 - Queensland Championships, senior four, coach - First

1972 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy, coach - Third

1972 - European Championships, Scull, coach - Twelfth

1973 - National Championships, Lightweight Scull, coach - First

1973 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy, coach - First

1973 - Men's Interstate Championship Regatta, Women's sculling event, coach - First

1974 - National Championships, Lightweight Scull, coach - First

1974 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy, coach - First

1974 - World Championships, Scull, coach - Eliminated in repechage

1976 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter Trophy, coach - Third

Andrew Guerin
July 2026

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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