Star BC Legend Conway Ansell emailed me yesterday (June 2014) with the sad news that brother Gael had passed away.
“Picking up an old email and thought with all your contacts you could let all know that my brother Gael passed away at 4.30 this morning after losing the battle with the dreaded cancer. Just made his 80th birthday by a few hours. Of interest he rowed for Mercantile in Melbourne in the mid 50’s and was thought to be included in the squad for the Melbourne Olympics until they realised he was not one of ‘them’.
Just thought you could pass on to some of his aria.”
Funeral Notice reads as follows:
“Passed away peacefully on 24 June 2014 at home, surrounded by his loving family, on his 80th birthday!!
Beloved husband and best mate of Judy. Much adored father and father-in-law of Christine and Mark Kenning, Sally and Pete Bonifant, Gay and Grant Congdon and Philip Ansell. Loved Poppa of Ben, Matthew, Amy, Max, Alex, Olivia, Sophie and Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to be posted to Waipuna Hospice, P.O. Box 1156, Tauranga 3140 would be greatly appreciated and can be left at the service. A special thanks to Waipuna Hospice for all their care and support.
Friends are invited to a service for Gael at Tauranga Park 383 Pyes Pa Rd, Tauranga, on Saturday 28 June at 11am, followed by private cremation. Communication to the Ansell Family, c/o P.O Box 3136 Greerton, Tauranga 3142
See more at: http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/75521-ansell-gael-lindsay.html#sthash.q37v0W1V.dpuf
A little research has revealed Gael’s fame as “Mr Mints” the man and brain behind the Lions movement fundraiser in New Zealand which distributes Lions Mints. 
As to his achievements with Star Boating Club I have been caught on the hop outside of the country without my little blue Frank Scott centenary book and would be grateful for information of Gael’s active time with Star BC. I do know however that he was very prominent among the best of our Rowers back in the 50s. Thanks.