Robin Poke AM

Robin Poke AM has made significant contributions to rowing in Australia through his multifaceted roles as a rower, editor, team manager, executive director, commentator, media director, historian, and sports administrator.

His rowing career began with Mosman Rowing Club in Sydney from 1969 to 1973, where he won several state championships. Robin's passion for rowing extended beyond competing, leading him to become the founding editor of the Australian Rowing Magazine in 1978, a publication that played a crucial role in the development of the sport.

In 1978, Robin served as the Women's team manager at the World Championships, marking the beginning of his extensive involvement in team management at international events. He managed the Australian team at the World Junior Championships and World Championships in 1988, and his leadership skills were recognized when he was appointed Executive Director of the Australian Rowing Council from 1988 to 1990. He also contributed as a member of the Organising Committee for the 1990 World Rowing Championships in Tasmania.

Robin's expertise in media and communications significantly elevated the profile of rowing. As co-commentator with Gordon Bray and Norman May at the 1982 Australian Rowing Championships for ABC TV, he brought the sport to a wider audience. He served as Media Director for Rowing Australia from 1994 to 1997 and played a vital role as Media Liaison Officer for the Australian team at the 1996 Olympic Games. His dedication continued at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, where he coordinated the Australian team office at the main press centre.

Robin's passion for rowing extended into his later years, where he competed and medalled in the Australian and World Masters Games from 1997 to 2009. His leadership skills were further demonstrated as President of the ACT Olympic Council from 2005 to 2017.

In addition to his contributions to rowing administration and media, Robin is an accomplished journalist, having held senior roles such as Sports Editor at Channel 9 Adelaide and Head of Sport at Capital Television, Canberra. He has authored and edited significant works on rowing history, including the 2007 biography "Peter Antonie: Out of his Shell." He has project-managed a book on Australia's 74 individual Olympic gold medallists and is completing a comprehensive history of Australian Rowing and co-writing a history of the King's Cup.

Robin's dedication to the sport, even as his eyesight has deteriorated, underscores his commitment to preserving and promoting the history of rowing. His work as a historian is of the highest order and will serve as a valuable reference for future generations of rowers. Robin Poke's contributions have been pivotal in shaping the landscape of Australian rowing, making him a devoted and revered figure in the sport.