History of womens rowing in NZ

The speakers after the 2024 Legion AGM were an intrepid group who created the foundations for womens rowing in New Zealand. Each gave a personal account of their introduction to rowing and the amazing things they achieved and the barriers and hurdles they overcame.

Monty Wawatai was inspired to research this for a history paper he was doing for his Bachelor of Arts degree. It required him to recount a “singular event in history that was memorable”. Having seen a picture of the 1974 New Zealand womens crew racing in Luzern, Switzerland – he started his research and contacted all the women involved. 

Monty said

“We cannot allow the history to be lost without an attempt to record it. Lynette Skelton died last year and she was a key member of those early crews.”

The group of speakers included

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  • Barbara Iverson 

  • Colleen Tonei

  • Paula Storey

  • Gaye Costain (Barbara spoke on behalf of Gaye as she was ill) 

  • Lesley Milne

The recording follows….