Malvern Marlins History - The Second Decade (2000 - 2009)

The Marlins History - The Second Decade

By Beth Ashwood

When I joined the Marlins in 1999, Megan Klemm and Wayne Woods were Captains, Deryn Thomas was President and we swam on Wednesday nights in the balmy environs of Korowa’s indoor pool with frequent visits to the Venezia Pizza Bar afterwards. The Marlins were about to enter a “golden” era (no thanks to me!) in AUSSI Masters Victoria. The first competition I attended (time keeping only) we won. I don’t think I really appreciated the significance of that win, being so new to Masters Swimming. I had previously been quite unaware that such competitions even existed (you mean these old blokes actually race?).

Our continued success has been well documented and it wasn’t until 2008 that a rejuvenated Powerpoints, who recruited well credentialed swimmers, were able to knock us off our pedestal in either Long or Short Course competitions.

The Marlins had the strength of very high rates of participation in competitions thanks to the hard work of captains and coaches. We may not have all been super-fast but we were able to swamp the opposition with the sheer weight of numbers. We did of course have many winners and record breakers but on any day, anyone could do a ’Steven Bradbury’.

In 2001, Victoria hosted the National Swim and the Marlins were the first placed club overall— our only victory at the National Swim. We were second in 2008 (also in Melbourne) and fifth in Perth in 2003. Club performance at the National Swim is of course very dependent on the number of swimmers able to attend. The Marlins won relay trophies in the 80 -119 and 120 -159 age groups in 2001 and then in the 240-279 age group in 2007 and 2008.

In 2007 Jan Jeffrey was named female swimmer of the meet at the National Swim in Darwin.

In 2008, Patrick Galvin was awarded The National Heart Foundation Trophy. This is awarded by the host branch to a National Swim participant who has shown significant progress over the past 12 months, diligent attendance at training sessions and a willingness to help others improve their fitness.

In 2002 Melbourne hosted the World Masters Games, a huge multi-sport event complete with Opening and Closing Ceremonies and free public transport (wow!) and a chance to compete on a world stage. Plenty of Marlins partook of what might be a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a world ranking!

Small contingents of Marlins have also competed at the FINA Masters World Championships in New Zealand, Italy, USA and Perth, Australia. Pat Galvin has won one gold medal in FINA World Competition (the first Marlin to win at this level) and several minor medals. Jan Jeffrey has also won minor medals.

When I started out with the Marlins, competitions days were run by all the clubs on a rotating basis. Now it seems there is a small group of tireless volunteers that do most of the work (some of them don’t even swim!). Many of the officials on deck at every meet are Marlins and without them, competitions couldn’t be held. Julie Johnson was awarded Victorian Official of the year in 2006 and Deryn Thomas in 2007 and 2009.

The Marlins has perhaps uniquely, a whole team of volunteer coaches, organised by a Session Director. Many of these coaches have attained their Level 1M qualification in the past few years and in 2004 Andrea McNeil was awarded Victorian coach of the year. Patrick Devine won this same award in 2008 and Jan Jeffrey in 2009. In 2008 Pat Devine was also named National Coach of the year—an honour he felt should be shared with his entire coaching team! Three Marlins have also served as State Director of Coaching: Grant Watson in 2000 and 2001, Ian Dear, resplendent in all white, in 2002-2003 and Bruce Allender (a quiet achiever!) from 2007 to the present time.

LapTalk used to be a simple black and white newsletter that arrived by snail mail. During the Presidency of Catherine Curry Hyde we went electronic and now can access each bumper issue, complete with colour photos on our website. Some of us may have kicked and struggled a bit but we were dragged into the 21st century, at least electronically! Roger Hogg first developed the website in 1999 and Frank Braun completely redeveloped it in 2004, giving us what we have today. Frank also generously donated his skills and lots of his time to develop the National AUSSI website.

As I mentioned in my opening sentence, Megan Klemm was Club Captain when I first joined the club. Sadly, she passed away in 2002 from cancer. Megan was a highly intelligent lady, a wonderful swimmer and a great team member. She would have turned 50 this year. A Relay named in her honour is swum at our Interclub each year.

Another sad loss occurred in March 2009 when Pat Wuchatsch died. Pat had been a regular swimmer for many years until her health prevented it. She and her husband George, a proud ‘Hooked Marlin’, gave much to the club and Pat is sadly missed, whilst George keeps in touch at morning coffee occasionally.

There is much more to the Marlins than just swimming and I believe one of the many strengths of the club lay in its wonderful friendly and social atmosphere, its nurturing of swimmers of all abilities and its encouragement of the principles of AUSSI (now Masters Swimming Australia) - fun, fitness and friendship. We are a group of people from all many walks in life with a common interest in swimming. Other parts of life may be busy or

downright messy but the Marlins can provide an escape and someone to talk to when you need it. There is a whole social history that could be written (but should it be?). Maybe we could do that for the 30 year anniversary, if we can remember any of it!

I would like to thank all those people that helped me with my research. There is so much information out there one could produce an Encyclopaedia but I think its commercial value would be limited!

 

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