Dan’s father Peter and stepmother Sandra, who live in Mudgee, hosted the lunch for around 25 people, mostly from Dubbo and Dan’s hometown in Warren. 

With James Mcrae, Chris Morgan and Karsten Forsterling Dan was part of the men’s quad sculls team at the London Olympics.

The team completed the two-kilometre course behind Germany and Croatia.

The medal was a great result considering Noonan’s Olympic preparation was interrupted by a rib injury, forcing the crew to miss both key World Cup preparation regattas in Europe. 

Dan said the Australian teams faced tough competition from the traditionally strong British rowers, competing in their home games. 

“We were really keen to win gold in the rowing, but it didn’t eventuate,” he said.   

“There was a great spirit in London and they did a good job of the Olympics.” 

Dan said it was great to get home and catch up with family at the Parklands lunch.

“There are a lot of people from Warren and close family here,” he said.  “People have come a long way.” 

He has added the bronze medal to a trophy cabinet which already included a 2011 World Rowing Championship gold medal in the men’s quad sculls, a bronze medal from the 2010 world championships and a silver medal from the 2009 world championships.

Dan was also part of the men’s quad sculls team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the team broke a world record in the heats, but placed fourth in the finals.

A member of the national team for 10 years, Dan is now head coach at his former school, St Ignatius Riverview in Sydney. 

However, he has not ruled out a bid to compete in his third Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. 

“Rowing’s a sport where you don’t peak until your 30s, so I wouldn’t count out going to Rio,” he said.