Vale Eric Waller

Last Friday night, Australian rowing lost one of the great servants of the sport, Eric Waller. Despite being ill for some time, he kept up his involvement in the sport until the end.

Eric served the sport at all levels - rower, coach, club and state administrator, boat race official, Field of Play and finally as Victorian regatta manager. All tasks were completed with skill and enthusiasm. Eric served as an elected board member of Rowing Victoria for 18 years and Vice-President. He was a Rowing Victoria Life Member.

But the hallmark of his work was lifting the standard of regattas – primarily for the purpose of benefitting rowers, but also for all participants. He understood it was also an event, not just a regatta.

At a national level, he took on the Field of Play role for at least eight national regattas and at international events held in Victoria. Many years ago, he saw that boat driving at the nationals was not of a sufficient standard. He created an association of Australian boat drivers which produced consistently high standard work for many years including the 1990 World Championships and the Sydney Olympic Games. Due to the professionalism and camaraderie of this team, there was a queue of people wanting to join it.

Eric (centre) at Lake Wivenhoe QLD in a typical pose helping at a regatta, this time leading the boat drivers

The significant improvements to regatta management and organisation in Victoria over the past 30 years are primarily due to him. Regattas at his home town of Ballarat are now run to the highest standards.

Eric got things done whilst others were still talking out how or what to do.

He was humble but spirited, respectful but determined, collaborative but persistent – a gentleman. He foresaw issues and took action before others had realised what was going to happen. Credit for his work did not ever cross his mind. It was the lifting of standards which brought him joy.

For more details on Eric, please go to Waller, Eric - Australian Rowing History (rowinghistory-aus.info) and view The Volunteer Story - Eric Waller.

Wendouree-Ballarat RC invites you to pay your respects to friend and mentor Eric Waller upstairs at the club on Sunday 25th June from 11:00am, please RSVP here.

Written by Andrew Guerin