Growing up in the central western NSW township of Grenfell, miles from any rowing club or body of water suitable for hosting the popular pastime, Shirley Stokes never envisioned she would pursue a career within the sport.
It wasn’t until the late 1960s when she relocated to Sydney to commence university studies that she picked up an oar for the first time.
Her natural talent on the water promptly shone through.
She quickly progressed to win two NSW lightweight championships and enjoyed further success in the sport before accepting various administrative roles with Rowing Australia and the Board of Rowing NSW.
Between 2000 and 2002, Ms Stokes was a Director with Rowing Australia, and proudly volunteered during the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
She has also been a passionate advocate in promoting the sport to athletes with a disability and organised a come-and-try para rowing event during her time with the Board of Rowing NSW, which also encouraged clubs to incorporate para rowing into their regular programs.
Her dedication and pioneering work which allowed athletes with a disability to compete in para rowing at state championship and national championship levels was instrumental in creating further opportunities for para rowing to become an international sport.
In 2004, Ms Stokes assisted in FISA’s (International Governing Body for the sport of Rowing) application for para rowing to be admitted to the Paralympics.
In 2021, she was made a Life Member of Rowing Australia.
While her resume also includes the titles of being Chief Classifier at the Rowing World Cups in 2017 and 2019, Chief Classifier at the Asian Championships in 2010 and 2014, and a Paralympic Classifier from 2010-2014, Ms Stokes received another honour earlier this year when she was recognised by His Excellency General, the Honourable David Hurley AC, for her significant service to rowing and people with a disability in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.
Speaking with the Clarence Valley Independent from her home in Gulmarrad last week, Ms Stokes humbly expressed her appreciation after being recognised for her extraordinary career, but revealed her contributions to the sport were never about receiving awards.
Describing herself as exceptionally proud of her achievements, Ms Stokes credits two greats of the sport, Margaret Mackenzie, and Annie Titterton, with encouraging, coaching, and motivating her during her introduction to rowing.
“You don’t do what you do for years for the recognition, you do it because it’s what you want to do, and you also do it because you can help people,” she said.
Ms Stokes is also a current member of the Lower Clarence Rowing Club and enjoys offering her assistance in a voluntary capacity.