The Otago Daily Times counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
No 84: Oamaru crew wins Commonwealth gold (1962)
The coxed four final at the Perth British Empire and Commonwealth Games was a battle between two famous sporting schools - Waitaki Boys' High School (Oamaru) and Geelong College (Victoria).
The win by the Oamaru club crew of Winston Stephens, Keith Heselwood, Hugh Smedley, George Paterson and cox Doug Pulman was the start of a dynasty for the North Otago club.
The win thrust coach Rusty Robertson into the limelight and his success at the international level continued for the next 25 years.
The Oamaru rowers won the New Zealand title in 1961 and 1962 to gain selection for Perth but their lasting legacy came when they won the gold medal.
There were celebrations in the streets of Oamaru when the crew won the gold medal. The fire sirens shrieked down Thames St, and car and truck horns heralded the win.
The Oamaru crew started with a fast rating of 45 but could not break away from the Australian crew. England was quickly left behind.
Australia made the first break in the last quarter and seemed to be heading for gold, but New Zealand had not yet finished.
With 250m left, New Zealand responded and took the rating up to 40. The boat sped across the water and in 10 strokes, New Zealand caught the Australians and finished 76cm in front, in 6min 48.2sec.
