Vale Philip Pascall

Rowing WA was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Philip Pascall, who died peacefully at his home on 19 September 2023.

Philip Pascall was a giant of the mining industry and a great supporter of Rowing in WA. Many from within the rowing community had the pleasure of knowing him in both capacities.

His involvement on the Executive Committee of Rowing WA in the mid-nineties under President Mike Scott was at a time when such involvement was very hands on and time consuming. When he no longer had the time for direct committee work, Philip instead made generous, targeted and timely financial donations to the sport. This was always done without fanfare and preferring to be kept anonymous. Of particular note was his donation in 1997 which allowed the Association to employ a Director of Club Support. The FQM Umpire Boat No. 1 was donated by Philip in 2010 for use at the then newly commissioned Champion Lakes Regatta Centre and is still used at every regatta at the venue.

More recently, Philip became the foundation donor of the Making Waves outreach rowing program targeting disadvantaged youth in the south-east suburbs adjacent to Champion Lakes. This seed donation was used to pilot the program concept and paved the way for substantial further donations which has underpinned the program which is now in its sixth year. More than 3,000 high school children, who would otherwise never have had the opportunity, have been introduced to the sport of rowing over this time, thanks to Philip’s strong belief and seed funding of the program.

For his contributions to rowing in Western Australia, Philip was recognised as a Co-Patron of the Association in 1998. A role he has held continuously since.

Philip Pascall may be gone but his legacy will long be felt within the rowing community in Western Australia.