David Rattray
Buckingham Rowing Club (TAS)
McVilly Pearce Number 184
2 June 1937 – 13 January 2026 (also referred to as David Rattray-Smith in school records)
David was a key member of the Tasmanian and Australian rowing community for most of his life. Being born into the rowing community having both parents as rowers, he was soon in boats coxing at the Buckingham Rowing Club in Hobart.
David 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.
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 from1982 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.
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 both a life member of Buckingham Rowing Club and Rowing Tasmania. 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 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
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
1967 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Second
1968 – Interstate Championships, Tasmanian King’s Cup crew, cox – Third
1970 – National Championships, Men’s Coxed Four, cox - First
1970 – World Championships, Men’s Coxed Four, cox – Eliminated in repechage
1970 - World Championships, Men’s Coxed Pair – Twelfth
1976 - Became a Rowing Tasmania boat race official and served for 40 years before retiring in 2015.
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)
1987 – Australian Rowing Championships, 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
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
1999 – Australian Rowing Championships, jury member
2003 – Australian Rowing Championships, chairman of the organising committee
2009 – Australian Rowing Championships, organising committee member (program)
Andrew Guerin
January 2026
Sources
- Author's records and this website
- Discussion with Tina Maher
- Information from Rod Dolbel
- Images from the Guerin collection