Doust, 54, was the star performer for Manning in the State Masters held at Penrith, where he won three events and finished second in another two. He also gained selection in the men's quad crew where he will represent NSW.

Doust is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana. Manning River Rowing Club nominated him for the award.

Doust has been rowing with a crew from the Newcastle area in the quad and he says the times they've been clocking indicate they'll be a strong chance at the nationals. He'll also contest the single scull and believes he'll give that a shake. He'll team with Colin Broos in the C-grade double scull and is confident they'll be thereabouts.

He admits the World Masters is tempting, having previously rowed at the course in the North Island.

"I'll see how I go at the nationals and then have a talk with my family,'' he said.

He'll also move up into another age divisoin next year when the turns 55.

"At the moment I'm at the top end of my grade so that's a bit of a disadvantage,'' he explained.

Doust is one of the best rowers the Manning has produced. He's a member of the Greater Taree Sporting Hall of Fame. In 1980 when still at school he teamed with Bruce McNaughton won in the European under 23 championship in Germany then the unofficial world title. He also has a string of national championships to his credit.

He was set to gain selection in the Australian team for the LA Olympics in 1984 but his career was curtailed by a chronic back injury. He was an almost certain selection for the quad sculls in 84 and the crew went onto gain a silver medal.

"That still frustrates me,'' he said.

He did make an attempt to gain a berth in the team for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, but said work and family commitments made it difficult to get to the necessary selection regattas.

"And I was past my prime by then,'' he added.

He's drifted in and out of rowing since but says the masters has renewed his enthusiasm.

"It is pretty hard, getting up at 4.45 each morning for training,'' he said.

"But I'm enjoying it at the moment.''

When not rowing Doust has also dabbled in ironman triathlons and has completed two events one at Port Macquarie and the other at Cairns. Doust said competing in another ironman is on the radar. His bike is by far the strongest leg.

"I do a lot of bike riding as part of my rowing training because it's good for the legs,'' he explained.

He said contesting another ironman is still on his bucket list.

"Probably at Port Macquarie because it's closer,'' he said.

He laughs when he considers that it takes a little over three minutes to complete a rowing event.

"And when I do a triathlon it takes me 11 plus hours to finish,'' he said.