The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of esteemed Member Sir Donald Trescowthick AC KBE who passed away at the age of 93. Sir Donald Trescowthick AC KBE was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1991 as a General Member for his contribution to Olympic administration (Olympics). In 1997, Trescowthick was the driving force behind the restructure of The Sport Australia Hall of Fame to bring the Club, Trust, and Trustee into one entity.
Sir Donald is a founding member of the Olympic Corporate Committee (Victoria) that has been the key Olympic fundraiser in Victoria. Until 1991 he was Deputy Chairman of the National Olympic Fundraising Committee.
Trescowthick was Chairman of the Citizens Committee of the 1988 Melbourne Olympic bid and an executive member of the Brisbane 1992 and Melbourne 1996 bids. In 1986 he was appointed inaugural Chairman of the Australian Olympic Committee Investment Advisory Committee that recommended the manner in which more than $100 million was invested for the future benefit of Australian Olympians. He was Chairman of the Australian Olympic Committee Audit Committee from 1986 to 1994. He was also deeply involved with the ‘Special Olympics’ as Australian Patron from 1992 to 2000.
He played an important part in establishing the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race as co-founder and chairman. He also occupied the same role with the Sovereign Series of Yacht races.
Trescowthick’ s expertise reaches far outside the Australian Olympic movement. His support of Australian football through Geelong and Clarence (Tasmania) has been of great benefit to the administration practices of each club and his success with thoroughbred horse breeding and racing is acknowledged nationally and worldwide.
In 1979 Trescowthick was made a Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for service to the community. In 1991 he was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for distinguished service to the community, the arts and sport. In 1980 he was awarded the Olympic Order of Merit and in 1994 was awarded the high honour of Australian Olympic Committee Life Membership.
Chair John Bertrand AO said, “The Sport Australia Hall of Fame was very dear to Sir Donald’s heart. He was an active member right up until his passing, always in constant touch via phone and email. Sir Donald was instrumental in the making of SAHOF, and we will miss him dearly. May he rest peacefully alongside Lady Trescowthick. Sir Donald was a loving husband to Norma for 72 remarkable years—a truly extraordinary couple. His legacy within the Hall of Fame and his contributions to the Australian sporting community will never be forgotten.”
Our condolences to Mark, Andrew (dec), Susan Mary, Adam and Caroline. Grandfather of Nichola, Dominie, Alice, Oliver, Fletcher, Hennie and Mac. Great-grandfather of Reece and Rylee.
