Rowing Australia Honours Nick Hunter OAM, Drew Ginn OAM and Ellen Randell with Life Membership

Rowing Australia has bestowed its highest honour of Life Membership upon Nick Hunter OAM, Drew Ginn OAM and Ellen Randell, with the trio officially added to the illustrious list at Wednesday’s Annual General Meeting.

Life Membership is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated significant and enduring service to rowing at a national level, enhancing the sport's reputation and future through leadership, commitment and a deep alignment with Rowing Australia's values.

Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook OLY said the 2025 recipients had left immense legacies through their outstanding service to the sport, with many more contributions to come.

“Nick, Drew and Ellen embody the very best of our sport. Each has made an indelible mark through their decades of service as athletes, coaches, officials, mentors and leaders,” Cook said. 

“They’ve shaped generations of rowers and coaches and helped push the sport forward in meaningful ways. Life Membership is the highest recognition we can bestow, and each of these individuals is richly deserving of the honour.”

Nick Hunter OAM

With over 40 years of dedication to Australian rowing, Nick has contributed as an athlete, coach, umpire, administrator and mentor. A Life Member of Rowing ACT, he represented Australia at the 1986 Commonwealth Games and four World Championships. 

As Head Coach of the ACT Academy of Sport, he was crucial in Olympic talent identification and athlete development. A national and international umpire, he helped shape modern officiating standards and was the first Australian appointed to the World Rowing Umpires Commission. 

He was instrumental in establishing and expanding the AIS Rowing Centre and continues to mentor emerging coaches, umpires and administrators. In 2016, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the sport.

Drew Ginn OAM

A triple-Olympic Gold Medallist and Thomas Keller Medal recipient, Drew Ginn is one of Australia’s greatest rowers. He was a key member of the renowned “Oarsome Foursome” that famously won back-to-back Gold in the Men’s Four and also achieved success in the Men’s Pair. 

His international achievements are complemented by his deep involvement in athlete development and high-performance leadership within Australian sport. A fierce competitor, respected mentor and influential voice, Drew remains a strong advocate for excellence, innovation and athlete wellbeing.

Ellen Randell

Ellen has built a distinguished career as one of Australia’s most respected coaches, with over 30 national team appointments and a lasting impact on numerous athletes and fellow coaches. Her coaching journey spans from the AIS in the late 1980s to her current role as Senior Women’s Coach at the Hancock Prospecting National Training Centre. 

She has guided Australia’s top athletes across multiple Olympic cycles and has been pivotal in mentoring and supporting women in high-performance coaching. A champion of ethical coaching and inclusive leadership, Ellen has been a driving force behind initiatives like the AIS Women in High Performance Coaching Project and continues to shape the future of Australian coaching through formal and informal mentoring programs.