David Rattray ASM
Buckingham Rowing Club (TAS)
McVilly Pearce Number 184
2 June 1937 – 13 January 2026 (also referred to as David Rattray-Smith in school records due to the surname adopted by his mother and step father)
David was a key member of the Tasmanian and Australian rowing community for most of his life. Sadly his father died when David was only 2 years old and his mother remarried a noted Tasmanian coxswain. His mother's family also included some rowers and she was a member of Buckingham Rowing Club. He was therefore brought up into the rowing community, and specifically Buckingham. However his active rowing did not commence until he went to school at The Friends School where he coxed their first and second fours.
His school life was disrupted by the need to leave school at the age of 16 to earn an income to help his family; his step father had not recovered well from his war experiences in WWII.
David still developed into a champion coxswain, steering Tasmania at the Interstate Championships numerous times for over 20 years and then at the national level at 1970 World Championships in Canada. This solely Buckingham crew is probably the only fully Tasmanian team from any sport to represent Australian at any sport at an Olympic Games or World senior Championships.
Coaching was another rowing activity which gained his attention both at his club and at Friends' School and Dominic College.
However, these days he is best remembered as one of the great club and state administrators and key local and national rowing umpire.
Rowing Tasmania was blessed to have his services as an office bearer, specifically as a long serving secretary and treasurer, as a regatta organiser and umpire. He was a Rowing Tasmania member from 1963 to 1993, holding executive roles as either secretary or treasurer from 1976 to 1993. He chaired the association from 1982 to 1984. His 30 years of service at a high level was recognised with life membership in 1990.
He supported the development of the Lake Barrington course and the 1990 World Rowing Championships, both of which are key parts of Australian rowing development and history. He was the President of Rowing Tasmania when the Lake Barrington course development was approved.
1987 ARC organising committee
Back row left to right: Don Boden, John Brady, Ian Winter, Guy Scott, Chris Brooks, Rod Baker Front row left to right: George Bligh, David Rattray, David Schier OAM, Patricia Pitman, Les Coates
So there is no surprise to note that he was a life member of Buckingham Rowing Club, Rowing Tasmania and Tasmanian Olympic Council.. He also held other roles including the Royal Hobart Regatta rowing co-ordinator for many years, and rowing's representative on the Tasmanian Olympic Council and the Commonwealth Games Association.
In 1980, David was honoured with the introduction of the David Rattray Shield which is the perpetual trophy for the Women's Senior Eight.
2017 McVilly Pearce presentation in Hobart with David front and centre
Some 50 years ago, David suffered from Meniere's disease and the after effects of it impacted David throughout life. He became a foundation member of Meniere's Australia Inc in 1981 and went on to be its executive director 1995-1998 and its President 1999 to 2007.
His other interests were the Lions Club of Lindisfarne where he served as Treasurer for a couple of years and one year as President, and also the Australian Retired Persons Association - Tasmania. In the latter group he also served as Treasurer and newsletter editor for many years.
David was a passionate volunteer, never accepting payment for any of his community or sporting activities. In an increasingly professional sporting and community environment, this is something that we should celebrate.
David's second wife Yvonne predeceased him in 2010. He has two daughters.
Some key rowing achievements.
1952 – Tasmanian Head of the River, Friends Second Crew, cox – First
1953 – Tasmanian Head of the River, Friends First Crew, cox - Fourth
1955 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Fifth
1960-73 - Buckingham Rowing Club treasurer
1962 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Third
1963 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Fourth
1963-1993 - Rowing Tasmania member holding executive roles as either secretary or treasurer from 1976 to 1993 - 30 years service at a high level.
1964 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Eliminated in repechage
1965 - Tasmanian Head of the River, Friends' School eight, coach
1966 - Tasmanian Head of the River, Friends' School eight, coach
1966 to 2015 - Tasmanian rowing umpire
1967 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Second
1968 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Third
1969 - Tasmanian Head of the River, Dominic College crew, coach
1970 – National Championships, Men’s Coxed Four, cox - First
1970 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Third
1970 – World Championships, Men’s Coxed Four, cox – Eliminated in repechage
1970 - World Championships, Men’s Coxed Pair – Twelfth
1972 – Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member
1973 - Tasmanian Head of the River, Dominic College crew, coach
1975-76 and 1979-81 and 1986-1990 - Rowing Tasmania Treasurer
1976 - Became a Rowing Tasmania boat race official and served for 40 years before retiring in 2015.
1977-78 - Rowing Tasmania Secretary
1978 – Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member
1981 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Sixth
1981 – National Championships, lightweight four, cox – finalist
1981 – National Championships, lightweight eight, cox, third
1982 – National Championships, Men’s Lightweight Eight, cox – First
1982-84 - Chairman Rowing Tasmania
1982-84 – Rowing Australia Councillor
1984-85 - Rowing's representative on the Tasmanian Olympic Council and Commonwealth Games Association
1984 - Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member (program & advertising)
1984-87 - Buckingham Rowing Club secretary
1986 – Trans Tasman Series organising committee member
1987 – Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member
1987 – Australian Masters Games organising committee member (rowing)
1988 – Trans Tasman Series organising committee member
1990 - Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member (finance & program)
1990 – World Championships, administrative and team services project team
1990 - Elected life member of Rowing Tasmania
1991-93 - Rowing Tasmania Administration Manager
1992 to 2002 - Australian rowing umpire
1993 – Australian Rowing Championships, jury member
1994 – Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member
1996 – Australian Rowing Championships, jury member
1996-7 – Hon. Secretary of Australian Umpires Commission
1997 – Australian Rowing Championships, jury member
1998 – Australian Rowing Championships, jury member
1998-99 - Buckingham Rowing Club secretary
1999 – Australian Rowing Championships, jury member
2000 - Awarded Australian Sports Medal
2000 - Buckingham Rowing Club President
2003 – Australian Rowing Championships, chairman of the organising committee
2006 – Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member
2009 – Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member (program)
2012-2021 - Buckingham Rowing Club Patron
2021 - Australian Rowing Championships volunteer
Andrew Guerin
January 2026
Sources
- Author's records and this website
- Discussion with Tina Maher
- Information from Rod Dolbel
- Images from the Guerin collection
- Information from Simon Himson which included a profile written by David