In 1987 Adair Ferguson was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to rowing. She had an impressive career throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1985, she became the first woman to win an event at the Rowing World Championships. She won the single sculls event. This win made her the first Australian female rower to hold the title World Champion. That same year she won the Australian lightweight sculls championship title, a title she would win again in 1989, 1993 and 1994.
She won yet again in single sculls at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. Shortly before the games, she had contracted a virus and was confined to her bed, but she still competed and won despite her ailment, making her achievement all the more impressive. Also, in 1986, she became the Australian heavyweight sculls champion and the Australian double sculls champion along with her partner. She was again Australian double sculls champion in 1988.
She won the Nell Slatter Trophy, awarded to the women’s interstate single sculling champion, three times throughout her career in 1985, 1988 and 1990.
In 1985 she was named Australian Athlete of the Year.