In Memoriam – Jim Hill
Rowing NZ regrets to advise the sad passing of Jim Hill on 8 May 2020.
Jim had a lifetime involvement in rowing with the Hamilton Rowing Club, winning the national single sculls title successively from 1958 – 1963, and the double sculls title in 1958 and 1960. He first represented New Zealand in the single sculls at the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956. In 1958 he competed at the Cardiff Empire Games winning a silver medal in the single sculls, and a bronze medal in the the double sculls. He placed fourth in the single sculls at the Rome Olympics in 1960, sixth in the first World Rowing Championships in Lucerne in 1962, and in the same year won a gold medal in the single sculls at the Perth Commonwealth Games.
Jim was part of the team which looked after Lake Karapiro’s course (later Karapiro Rowing) until failing health kept him away. He was appointed a Life Member of the New Zealand Rowing Association and later served as Rowing NZ President 2004 - 2005.
Rowing NZ’s condolences and thoughts are with Jim’s family – his wife Doreen, and daughters Janetta and Margaret –and his many friends.