Shirley Graham
Tweed Head & Coolangatta Rowing Club (QLD)
Shirley Graham was a true trailblazer of women's rowing in Australia in international competition. As far as the author can gather, she 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.
She is the probably the only women to race in all three women's Interstate Championships at the same regatta which she did in 1970.
Whilst her performances internationally were not good, nationally she did win two Interstate Championships in the Nell Slatter Trophy and also three National Championship lightweight sculls.
As with all trailblazers, she suffered hardships. Her European Championship entries were largely self-funded and organised. She raced in three different sculling boats during the 1972 European Championships and in 1973 travelled behind the Iron Curtain to Russia without coaching support. Again finding suitable sculls for a lightweight in an open event was a challenge.
To fund her share of the cost of 1973 tour, she undertook various marathon rowing activities, including one from Brisbane to Ipswich, some 50 miles.
Shirley pictured here on the Tweed River
The other interesting aspect of her career was that she was coached by her husband Roy "Chic" Graham, originally a noted a surf lifesaver. Given Shirley's commitment to the sport, he followed her into it becoming a very effective coach.
Known rowing record
1968 - Queensland Championships, lightweight four, two seat - First
1968 - National Championships, Lightweight Pair, stroke - unplaced
1968 - Interstate Championships, Victoria Cup, two seat - Third
1969 - Queensland Championships, senior four, stroke - First
1969 - Queensland Championships, lightweight four, two seat - First
1969 - Queensland Championships, senior scull - First
1969 - National Championships, Junior Scull - Second
1969 - Interstate Championships, ULVA Trophy, two seat - Third
1969 - Interstate Championships, Victoria Cup, two seat - Third
1970 - Queensland Championships, senior four, stroke - First
1970 - Queensland Championships, senior four, stroke - First
1970 - Queensland Championships, senior scull - First
1970 - National Championships, Lightweight Scull - First
1970 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy - third
1970 - Interstate Championships, ULVA Trophy, stroke - Third
1970 - Interstate Championships, Victoria Cup, stroke - Third
1971 - Queensland Championships, senior scull - First
1971 - Queensland Championships, lightweight senior four, stroke - First
1971 - National Championships, Lightweight Scull - Third
1971 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy - Second
1972 - Queensland Championships, senior scull - First
1972 - Queensland Championships, lightweight senior four, stroke - First
1972 - National Championships, Lightweight Scull - Second
1972 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy - Third
1972 - European Championships, Scull - Twelfth
1973 - Queensland Championships, senior scull - First
1973 - National Championships, Lightweight Scull - First
1973 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy - First
1973 - Men's Interstate Championship Regatta, Women's sculling event - First
1973 - European Championships, Scull - Twelfth
1974 - Queensland Championships, senior scull - First
1974 - National Championships, Lightweight Scull - First
1974 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter trophy - First
1974 - World Championships, Scull - Eliminated in repechage
1976 - Queensland Championships, senior scull - First
1976 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter Trophy - Third
Andrew Guerin
July 2026