Swimming Australia is today mourning the death of its most decorated official, 73-year-old FINA Bureau member Roger Smith AM.

Roger Smith AM had been one of swimming’s unsung heroes, a man who dedicated a lifetime to the sport at the highest international levels.

A retired solicitor who had been synonymous with swimming in Tasmania, Australia and the world’s governing body FINA, died peacefully in his sleep in his Hobart home on Saturday night.

He is survived by his wife Marie, who had been by his side every step of his life and to the very end and by his daughter Mandy, son David and five grand children.

Roger Smith AM had served almost every position on the Australian Swimming Union, Australian Swimming Incorporated and Swimming Australia Incorporated and had seen the greats – from Dawn Fraser and Murray Rose, through Shane Gould and on to Susie O’Neill, Kieren Perkins, Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett.

He spent a life long career on the pool deck and in the board room that lasted well over 50 years – including the Australian presidency and honorary secretary on two occasions.

He began his childhood as a swimmer in Hobart, served his apprenticeship as an official at meets all around Australia and the Oceania Region.

He had been elected to the FINA Bureau in Atlanta in 1996 after serving as the Oceania representative on the FINA Technical Committee.

Roger Smith AM was honoured by his peers when he was named a FINA Honorary Bureau Member – a virtual life membership of the sport’s governing body at last year’s FINA World Championships in Montreal.

Australia’s current representative on the FINA Technical Committee, Don Blew, a close and personal friend of Mr Smith, today gave this glowing tribute.

“Roger was without doubt the backbone of swimming in Australia,” said Mr Blew.

“From his roles as president and honorary secretary to Technical Director and Meet Director, Smithy did it all.

“After being a swimmer himself he went on to become an official and refereed his first every meet in the early 60s and there has not been a major meet in Australia or the world for that matter that Roger has not played a major part in since.

“He has dedicated his life to the sport and not only Australian Swimming but world swimming will be sadder for his loss.”

Australian Olympic gold medallist and past president of Swimming Australia John Devitt also paid his respects to “Mr Swimming.”

“Swimming to Smithy was his life,” said Devitt.

“He was dedicated to the cause and was the man elected as president of Australian Swimming after the feasibility study that revolutionised the sport in 1974.

“Roger Smith’s name was synonymous with FINA and he was responsible for the running of so many Olympic Games and World Championships.

“He had an encyclopaedic memory for the rules and regulations and by-laws of swimming and it is something he became famous for.

“He was the man who had the responsibility of running the highest meets, who was in control of the laws of the sport and he implemented them to perfection.”

Swimming Australia Limited president Neil Martin said Roger Smith served tirelessly to the sport of swimming in Australia and internationally and gave generously of his time to all levels of the sport.

Swimming Australia chief executive Glenn Tasker said Mr Smith was dedicated to the very end.

“I actually sat with him last week at a meeting for the 2007 FINA World Championships in Melbourne and he was still very active in deed and quick to offer his expertise,” said Mr Tasker.

“On behalf of everyone at Swimming Australia and I know I can talk on behalf of all our stakeholders that Roger Smith will be a very big loss to the sport.

“Our condolences go to Marie and her family and we wish them all the best in this very sad time.”

Roger Smith AM will be honoured at a private family service in Hobart.

Swimming Australia