He was an Australian national champion and won a bronze medal at the 1978 World Rowing Championships.

[4] His 1970 crew was victorious breaking the long stranglehold held by Victoria and New South Wales in this event.

The crew is as follows: Macdonald Chandler, Lachlan Frith, Tom Houlahan, Mason King, Toby Goffsassen, Rory Sampson, Sidney Bradnam, George Milson and Cox Samuel Sweetland.

Placing 2nd at the annual Head of the River, at Wyaralong Dam with a time of 5:53.49, the crew has been expertly coached by the prestigious Cooper.

Mr Cooper fondly remembers his favourite coached crew thus far, the 2020 TSS Open 2nd VIII - crew: Max Cook, Isaac Whitsed, Alec Turnbull, Oscar Billson, Lewis Cole, Zac Rossiter, Tom Schwerkolt and Cox Cameron Vele.