Eric Waller OAM

ERIC WALLER: MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

It is with immense pride and excitement that we announce Eric Waller has been posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to rowing in Ballarat and Victoria.

Eric joined the Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club (WBRC) at just 17 years old in 1957 and went on to serve as Club Captain from 1959 to 1979, President from 1979 to 2009, and Life Member from 2009 onwards. His remarkable contributions to the club and to the prominence of rowing in Ballarat cannot be overstated. Eric’s unwavering dedication ensured that rowing remained a vital part of Ballarat’s sporting culture, both at the club and school levels. He was also instrumental in developing Lake Wendouree into an international-standard course, approved by FISA.

Beyond WBRC, Eric’s influence extended throughout the sport. He served as a Rowing Victoria board member and vice-president from 1996 to 2009, President of Rowing Ballarat from 1984 to 2009, and President of the Victorian Country Rowing Association from 1989 to 2009.

Eric was Rowing Australia's Volunteer of the Year in 2014, the Victorian Olympic Council Julius Patching Volunteer of the Year in 2014, an Australian Sports Medal recipient in 2000 and, on the home front, he was inducted into the Ballarat Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Eric’s passing on June 9, 2023, at the age of 82, was an incredibly sad day for all of us. However, this recognition is a fitting tribute to his unparalleled contributions to WBRC and the sport of rowing. Please join us in celebrating this tremendous honour and remembering Eric’s incredible legacy.

Credit: Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club