Now, his commitment to the sport has earned him a Queen's Birthday Honour.

Mr Gibson said he was shocked to find out he was receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia.

"It's an honour, but it's also good for rowing," he said.

Mr Gibson has been president of Rowing Tasmania since 2013. He's also held roles as financial manager, member of the organising committee, councillor, provider and boat race official. He was made a life member in 2013.

He's a former treasurer and chairman of the Tamar Rowing Club. He was made a life member of the club in 1988.

Mr Gibson is also a former president and treasurer of the St Patrick's College Rowing Club.

"I suppose rowing is a bit of a passion," Mr Gibson said.

"It's not all about the glory of the gold. It's about the participation.

"It's a good sport, but it's also good for the social side and for friendships. It's very hard to walk away from that."

He said Lake Barrington was "extraordinary".

The lake is a world-standard rowing course, and the site of the 1990 World Rowing Championships.

He said he hoped its facilities could be improved in the future.

Aside from his rowing career, Mr Gibson also works in accounting.

He has been a member of the Institute of Public Accountants since 1977, and was president from 2001 to 2004.

He now works as a principal accountant at a private practice.