Allora Swimming Club holds presentation night

Allora Swimming Club’s end of season break-up, held recently at the Allora pool was well attended by all members and their families.
No surprises with the weather, it was cool and cloudy but many of our younger swimmers had a final swim for the season.
Their patron Marg Rackley was unable to attend this year but she wrote a letter that president Roy Nott read out to the gathered crowd.
In her note she made mention of the club’s large membership numbers and is proud that after 40 years of her own involvement in the club they still are proud to focus on all of their swimmers and their achievements.
All of their members contribute to the club. Life members Marg Otten, Maree Gillam, Heather Slatter, Shirley and Trevor Mason, Angela Van Der Poel and Sharon Whittaker were all present to give out awards to the children.
Age champions were decided at the Club Championships held in March.
Age Champions 2011: U8 Boy: Will Gilmore, U8 Girl: Charlotte Nott, U10 Boy: Toby Gilmore, U10 Girl: Mary Higgins, U12 Boy: Nicholas Van Der Poel, U12 Girl: Sally Higgins, U/14 Boy: Jack Bannister, U14 Girl: Bronte Collins, Open Boy: Anthony Bannister, Open Girl: Gemma Nott.
Runner- Up Age Champion 2011: U8 Boy: Jake Meddleton and Matthew Higgins, U10 Boy: Matthew Blakemore, U10 Girl: Gabi Fowles, U12 Boy: James Gilmore, U12 Girl: Paris Milburn, U14 Boy: Nicholas Gardner, U14 Girl: Leah Blakemore, Open Boy: Josh Day, Open Girl: Abbey Harrison.
Participation Awards – Awarded to all swimmers that swam in Club Championships – Sam Wall, Ethan Bender, Mitchell Bourke, Brent Brittain-Harrigan, Jai Catling, Cody Hoffman, Dylan Marsh, Zachary Wall, Grace Canning, Cassidy Henry, Kira Holmes, Isabella Hunt, Tom Atkinson, Nicholas Blakemore, Kyle Catling, David Day, Lachlan Henry, Brendan Hoffman, Harrison Hunt, Shae Erhardt, Sam Delaney, Timothy Collins, Thomas Higgins, Nicholas Wall, Tiana Hoffman, Thea Milburn and Madeline Whittaker.
Personal Best Trophy – Awarded to the swimmers with the highest personal best tally for the season at club night – Open: Thomas Higgins and Kate Shooter, U14: Sam Delaney, U12: Kyle Catling, U10: Tomas Philp, U8: Jacob Meddleton and Ethan Bender.
Geoff & Heather Slatter Encouragement Award – Shae Erhardt
Marg & Keith Rackley Encouragement Award – Harrison Hunt
Club Encouragement Awards – Tiana Hoffman and Brent Brittain-Harrigan
David Rackley Memorial Swim – Louw Wiid
Ellwood Family Shield for Dedication, Consistency and Sportsmanship – Gemma Nott
Perfect Attendance Certificates were awarded to the swimmers that braved the conditions and did not miss one club swim for the season. They were presented to Leah Blakemore, Vanessa Bryson, Cassie Henry, Sally Higgins, Kira Holmes, Gemma Nott, Ethan Bender, Nicholas Blakemore, Brent Brittain-Harrigan, Jai Catling, Kyle Catling, Joshua Day, Matthew Higgins, Brendan Hoffman and Cody Hoffman.
Forty-four Team Member Medallions were awarded to swimmers that did not qualify for Club Championships or did not participate due to illness, injury or were unavailable to compete this time. These medallions acknowledge their membership and participation in the Allora Swimming Club this season.
Former club member and current Queensland Firebirds and Australian Diamonds netball player Laura Geitz gave the club a signed sports bag to be included in our lucky draw. This was won by 10-year-old Brendan Hoffman. We thank Laura for thinking of the club and their swimmers; the children appreciate Laura’s continued support and interest in the club.
The club also thanks president Roy Nott, vice president Angela Van Der Poel, secretary Jo Frizzell, treasurer Jane Gilmore, canteen coordinator Emily Henry and carnival secretary/recorder Jan Bannister and their hard working committee for dedicating a large amount of their time to make sure the club is organised and their swimmers only have to concentrate on swimming.
The club also thanks Southern Downs Regional Council and in particular Don Warrener, Bill and Linda Lacy and staff for their commitment to providing the Allora Swimming Pool for the club to use weekly. Also to coaches Andrew Fidge, Bill Lacy and staff for teaching the swimmers the skills and techniques not only to improve their sport. To the swimming parents for your contribution with volunteering at club nights and carnivals and ensuring the children are always on time and ready to swim.
The next event on the club’s calendar is their muster at 5pm on Monday, October 3.