Frank Whitebrook OAM was Australian Canoe Federation President from 1963 – 1969.  Frank has also represented Australia at an International level as an ICF correspondent (appointed in 1963) and an Oceania ICF representative from 1972 – 1981. His most significant role at International level was his appointment as ICF Vice-President and held the position from 1982 – 1986. (In 1980, the ICF Marathon Committee was formed as a sub-committee of Racing, and became a bona fide ICF Standing Committee in 1984.)

Frank in 1981, established Australian Canoe Federation’s Marathon Committee which held the first Australian Marathon Championships on the Murray River over Easter that same year. Due to his contribution to the sport of Canoe Marathon, in 1984 the Frank Whitebrook Trophy was introduced into the National Championships, awarded to the best State/Territory results throughout the Championships. The Frank Whitebrook trophy is still awarded today.

Frank held many positions within the canoeing community including a section manager for canoeing at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. He was also a competition organiser for Sprint and Slalom’s National Championships for many years.

Frank founded the Far North Coast Canoe Club in 1973. The development of this club attracted over 200 active members and provided  for a place and community of paddlers in Northern NSW to paddle.

In 1971, Frank was awarded with life membership of the Australian Canoe Federation and in 1979 awarded life membership of NSW Canoe Association.

In 1995 Frank Whitebrook was awarded an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) for services to higher education, sport and fitness.