The Tom Rodda Award 

As the Committee deems fit, the Association pays recognition to a member whom has presented excellence in service to the sport of rowing, by awarding he Tom Rodda Award. The nominee is expected to have made a lasting and significant contribution to the sport of rowing.

About Tom Rodda

Tom Rodda started his rowing career in Bendigo where he was a keen and successful oarsman with the Sandhurst (Bendigo) Rowing Club. When his racing days were over, he was appointed Secretary of the Club and at a later date conducted the 'Bendigo Henley' on Lake Weeroona. He became a life member of the Club in 1931.

In his early thirties, the economic recession began to take its toll in Bendigo and this necessitated a return to Melbourne, where he resumed his vocation as a surveyor with the Harbour Trust. Upon his return to Melbourne he joined Mercantile Rowing Club where he remained a member until his death in early 1981. His devotion to the well­being of his family left little time for rowing affairs, but he still maintained his links with Bendigo.

After the war years, he became the Bendigo representative on the Victorian Rowing Association, where his constructive and impartial views impressed all delegates, so much so that when a vacancy occurred on the Executive Committee Mercantile nominated him for the position. His experience as a surveyor and knowledge of the River and his willingness to assist in every way was of great benefit to the Association.

Prior to the 1956 Olympic Games he was a member of the panel to recommend an Olympic Rowing Course and in 1953 was appointed to the Australian Olympic Rowing Committee. During the Olympic Regatta, he was the Assistant Course Manager and in that capacity was accorded high praise by Gaston Mullegg, President of FISA.

He retired from the Executive Committee of the VRA with the view of making way for a younger representative. At the Annual Meeting he was elected as Vice-President of the Association, an office which he held with distinction, and was regular in his attendance at the monthly meetings.

In 1950 he joined the Old Oarsmens' Association where his talents were soon put to use in being appointed as Secretary. During his tenure of office he initiated many new and far reaching ideas, one of which was organization of groups to support Victorian Representatives at King's Cup Regattas and furthermore to arrange functions whereby the members of all States could get together and recall memories of bygone years. After serving 18 years as Secretary he stepped down and was later Installed as President of the Association. Amongst his many other activities was the Secretary of the Federation of Old Oarsmen and Vice-President of Upper Yarra Regatta.

Tom was a humble man, but his sincerity of purpose made him always welcome wherever rowing men assembled.

Past Recipients

2023 - Rosemary Richardson (Mercantile Rowing Club)

2022 - Glenn Bottrell (Essendon Rowing Club)

2011 - Kathy Wilmot (Y Rowing)

2009 - Kevin O'Brien (Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club)

2003 - Stephen Pennicott (Essendon Rowing Club)

2002 - Jim Skidmore (Yarra Yarra Rowing Club)

2001 - Brian Vear (Banks Rowing Club)

2000 - Kath Bennett (Y Rowing)

1999 - Eric Waller (Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club)

1998 - Stan Jefferey (Hawthorn Rowing Club)

1997 - Bill Waterfield (Melbourne Rowing Club)

1996 - Bill Brammel (Hamilton Rowing Club)

1995 - Lex Quinn - (Barwon Rowing Club)

1994 Bob Morrell - (Corio Bay Rowing Club)

1993 - Bob Todd (Yarrawonga Rowing Club)

1992 - Lloyd Cosgrove (Hawthorn Rowing Club)

1991 - Ted Woolcock (Yarra Yarra Rowing Club)

1990 - Roger Wilson (Mercantile Rowing Club)