Brian had an association with rowing for over 50 years, commencing in 1952 when he was in the initial crew from Urrbrae Agricultural High School, rowing from the South Australian Railways Institute Rowing Club's Boat Shed. He was SARIRC Captain in 1957 - 58 and 1958 - 59 and stroked the Graham (Father) Higgs coached eight to a State Championship in 1958.

Brian rowed for South Australia in the two seat for the last King's Cup held over three miles, in Perth in 1959. A Vice President of SARIRC/Australian National Institute Rowing Club for many years he was elected President of ANIRC in 1983 - 84 and 1984 - 85 and was appointed as Patron of Riverside Rowing Club in 1996. Brian was also President of Unley High School Rowing Club from 1981 - 1984 and was made a Life Member of Unley.

After a lifetime career in the Dairy Industry in SA and Victoria, he retired from fulltime work as Chair of the Metropolitan Milk Board in 1993, but has continued with his interest in Superannuation on a part time basis.

He was President of the South Australian Government Superannuation Federation, an Alternate Director of Super SA and Immediate Past President of SA Superannuants. His other interests included Historic Motor Racing and Veteran/Vintage/Classic cars. Brian is a Past President of the Sporting Car Club of SA.

Sadly Brian passed away on 10 September 2004.


Hall Of Fame Citation For Brian Hannaford 

Brian’s career in rowing and also his association with Riverside (then SA Railways Institute) began when he was a student at Urrbrae Agricultural High School, when in 1952 he was in their initial crew. The Urrbrae program was run through SARIRC with coaching and boat support from the club. This laid the foundation for a long and distinguished career in rowing.


Brian became a member of Railways Rowing Club after leaving school and went on to become an integral part of the clubs eights. A couple of highlights included him stroking the clubs Maiden Eight to state Champions in the 1957/58 season and to follow that up as stroke of the club crew which won the State Championship Senior Eights in 1958. (A crew coached by the infamous Graham Higgs) He also served as the club Captain from 1957 to 1959.


In 1959, Brian was in the 2 seat of the South Australian Kings Cup Eight. The rest of the crew were from Torrens Rowing Club. This was the last time the Kings Cup was raced over 3 miles and was held in Perth on the Canning River. The SA crew came fifth, NSW winning in a time of 15 mins 34 seconds!!!

Brian’s involvement with the club continued through its transitions from SARIRC to Australian National Rowing Club and later to Riverside. He was a Vice President for many years and was President of ANI RC from 1983 to 1985. He was later Patron of Riverside from 1996 to 2004. He was made a Life member of Riverside in 2004.

Brian’s distinguished career in the field of agriculture, particularly as Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Milk Board (1969 to 1993) and later with the SA Superannuation Board was another feature of his busy life. He fitted in a passion for vintage cars as well.

 His involvement with rowing through the club over 50 years, shared with his wife Micheleine, has been an asset for the club. His willingness to help and his ongoing support over those years make him a worthy member of the Riverside Rowing Club Hall of Fame.

I give you Brian Hannaford;

Distinguished rower, committee member, club captain, club vice president, club president, club patron and friend to all who knew him.


Steve Pennington 24/06/2012