Rowing ACT would like to acknowledge the passing of Evelyn Sommer, a Life Member of Black Mountain Rowing Club, and a cherished member of the Rowing ACT Community alongside her husband David Bagnall OAM.

Evelyn was a former Australian and NSW Representative over many years, and is a pioneer of women’s rowing in Australia. Black Mountain Rowing Club posted the following tribute on their website

“Evelyn (Ev) Sommer, Black Mountain Rowing Club (BMRC) life member, passed away peacefully on Saturday 28 February surrounded by family.  

Ev’s, pioneering womens rowing achievements were significant and unique.  Apart from her determination as a competitor she was colourful, loud and extroverted.

Ev took up rowing aged 15 at Sydney Womens Rowing Club (now Abbotsford RC).  

In 1967, aged 17, in year 11 at Burwood Girls High School, Ev won the first of her eight Interstate Rowing Championships in the bow seat of the NSW four.   Ev was frequently the stroke in subsequent Interstate successes.   Indeed, in 1971, aged 21, Evelyn stroked the women’s interstate lightweight (Victoria Cup) and open (ULVA trophy) races to victory on the same day – an unusual achievement shared with fellow crew member Judy Perry who was in the same boats. 

Ev’s rowing prowess was such that she had the distinction of winning all of  the then Interstate events  over her career: lightweight and open sweep crews and the Nell Slatter Trophy for Interstate single sculls Championship.  This was an analogous achievement to that of Peter Antonie in men’s events. 

Ev represented Australia at World Rowing Championships in 1974 and 1978 as well as several Trans Tasman events.   In 1974, the pair of Ev and Lydia Miladinovic raced in the first World Rowing Championships that included women’s races.

Ev moved to Canberra in 1985 and joined BMRC. She won many local events and several Masters Regatta Championships in BMRC colours, with her last being the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in 2013 on Lake Burley Griffin.

Ev rowed in multiple crews at the Head of the Yarra (HoY), and despite her gloried past achievements was still announcing that she wanted to win the HoY.  When the club named its lighter weight 8 the “Evelyn Sommer” she was still dreaming of being a part of a winning BMRC crew notwithstanding her declining health.

We will all miss Evelyn and her significant contribution to BMRC club and crews”

Rowing Australia have also acknowledged Evelyn’s significant contribution over many years, with a post highlighting her contributions to rowing in Australia.

Rowing ACT offers our condolences to Evelyn’s family, and particularly her husband David Bagnall in their time of grief.

Details for Evelyn’s Memorial can be found here