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australian rowers profiles and history

Sally Shaw

Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (VIC)

Partner of fellow member Bruce Ricketts, mother of Felix & Grace Ricketts

Sally Shaw Joined the club in the 1998-1999 season

Sally was a very active member of the club and mother of Grace and Felix Ricketts.

Vice-captain 1999/2000 & 2000/01,

 Secretary 2001/02 to 2003/04, 

Committee 2006/07

Vice President 2008/09 to her passing

As a reward for her involvement with the successful negotiations with Carey she was awarded Life Membership in 2009/10.

Sally passed away 17-2-2011.

1999 - Dimboola regatta intermediate eight (bow)

1999 - Essendon regatta novice eight (stroke)

1999 - Mildura regatta Men’s intermediate four (cox) and Men’s novice quad scull (cox) and  Mixed eight (7)

1999 - Wentworth regatta men’s novice quad scull (cox)

2001 - Australia day regatta female novice quad scull (2)

2005 - Melbourne head female “D” eight (cox)

2007 - Banks master’s regatta masters “B” four (joint coach)

Sally Shaw four/quad named in her honor in 2007.

From the YYRC newsletter Yarra Yabbie 2011-3-7

Vale Sally Shaw

YYRC’s much loved life member and vice president, Sally Shaw, passed away on Thursday night, Feb 17th, after a four year battle with cancer. Sally joined the club in 1998, and served over the years in committee roles including vice-captain and secretary. Messages of condolence can be sent to Sally’s husband Bruce Ricketts and their children Felix and Grace at salandbruce@gmail.com. There is also a page of the YYRC website (www.yyrc.net.au) dedicated to celebrating Sally’s life and many contributions to the club. If anyone would like to contribute stories about Sally and/or photos to this webpage, please email them to yyrccontent@yyrc.net.au. YYRC members are encouraged to enter this years “WE Can Walk It Out’ charity walk/run on Sunday April 3rd in Sally’s honor. 

From the 2010-11 YYRC Annual report:-

Vale Sally Shaw

Sally Shaw sadly lost her battle with ovarian cancer in March 2011 Sally was a significant contributor to Yarra most notably through her involvement with the negotiations with Carey and the subsequent project management of the current clubhouse. Sally welcomed new members to the club through her involvement with novice coaching and she later moved into a role on the Committee serving as secretary and later as Vice President. Sally was a successful oarswoman, winning the Stokes Salver women’s trophy in 2002 during the Winter Sculling Series in addition to regatta wins over a decade of rowing. Sally was a life member of Yarra and has a racing shell named in her honor.

From the YYRC newsletter Yarra Yabbie 2017-7-12

Boat names – the Sally Shaw

Sally joined the club in 1999 and was a significant contributor to Yarra most notably through her involvement with the negotiations with Carey and the subsequent project management of the current clubhouse. Sally welcomed new members to the club through her involvement with novice coaching and her later move into a role on the committee serving as secretary and later as vice president. Sally was a successful oarswoman, winning the Stokes Salver women’s trophy in 2002 during the winter sculling series in addition to regatta wins over a decade of rowing. Sally was also a successful coxswain. She was made a life member of Yarra and a racing boat was named in her honor. Sadly Sally passed away from ovarian cancer in March 2011.” 

2005 Sally cox at the Head of the Yarra

2004 photo signing of club documents for the shed demolishment and new shed built
Sally holding baby as a witness to signatures.

1999 Dimboola regatta Sally seated on left


Jim Skidmore
June 2024

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