Centenary Celebration Dinner & Book Launch for 'Salt in Our Blood'

Cheryl and Phil McEvoy and Jill and Alan Fredericks

Nearly 150 past and current members of the Swimming Club gathered together to celebrate the Centenary of the Club at a Celebration Dinner at the Glenelg Golf Club on 13 October 2012. 

   

Guests travelled from interstate and overseas to join with friends for the celebration.  Rita Shepherd, who was made a Life member of the Club in 1967 and is currently the most senior Life Member was joined by other Life Members June Sturm, Anne Chartier, Peter Graham, Janine Molloy, Peter Hobbs, Trevor Carmichael, Brian Skeates and Garth Adamson. 

The evening began with lots of chatter as guests arrived and enjoyed pre-dinner drinks before they took their seats at tables covered with white cloths, red serviettes and vase of red and white roses.  Some took the early opportunity to inspect the six boards of photographs and memorabilia in the room.

Jess Turner, Ali McEvoy and Tracey Buckley enjoy the evening

While food orders were being taken the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, our own voice of Olympic and World swimming, Peter Graham introduced Club President, Ken Eastham, to welcome guests on this special occasion.  Following the first course, Ken then presented the latest Life Member, Garth Adamson with his badge.  The renewed chatter was stilled only by the arrival of the main course.  Following this, Bob Fox, the Chairman of SwimmingSA, who was a late arrival following his return from the Swimming Australia AGM and Presidents’ Forum earlier in the day in Sydney, proposed a toast to the Club for its great achievement.  This toast was ably responded to on behalf of the Club by Trevor Fullston, past parent, committee member and member of the State Development Committee and currently a major helper at the monthly Bunnings BBQs.

It was then the turn of Glenda Bowen-Pain to launch the Club’s 100 year History Book Salt in our Blood.  Glenda is a past President of SwimmingSA and had written the Foreword to the Book.  Although never a member, Glenda knew a lot about the Club and its history and was able to entertain us all with stories relating to some of the people who had featured among the many in the history and stories from the past.  Following Glenda’s enthusiastic launch of the book, the authors, Janine Molloy and Lyn Carmichael then shared a few of the facts relating to researching and writing of the book.  I think it is fair to say that they were relieved, tired, happy and proud of their achievement.  They then spent the next hour signing books for eager purchasers.  

Trevor, Janine and Lyn with Mayor John Trainor at the book launch

Dessert and coffee ended the very enjoyable meal but the chatter went on until late.  A wonderful evening was had by everyone who attended.

If any person has photos they would like to add to the initial collection please send them to the Club’s Public Relations Officer via our web contact link preferably with names of those in each photograph.

Copies of 'Salt in Our Blood' can be purchased from the Thebarton Aquatic Centre for $10.

Janine Molloy