Max Cunningham

In the 1950s Max Cunningham studied at Aquinas College, Perth where he played Australian rules football and tennis, in addition to being a keen track and field athlete. In his early teens Cunningham was already more than six foot tall and was encouraged to take up rowing, representing the college’s eight crew in 1953 and 1954, in addition to joining the Swan River Rowing Club. In 1958 he rowed for Western Australia in the eight at the King’s Cup, with the crew finishing second, despite Cunningham suffering a blackout with 300 yards still to race.

After missing the King’s Cup in 1959, Cunningham returned to the event the following year, with the Western Australia crew winning in the eight, earning the team a place at the 1960 Roma Olympics. At the Games they finished second in their opening heat to advance to the repêchage, before being eliminated. After his rowing career Cunningham continued to be involved in the sport as a coach.