Swimming Club

- BORN TO SWIM -

Google maps iconThis plaque is located at the entrance to the Cobden (outdoor) swimming pool. Cnr Victoria and Peter sts.

The aim of the Cobden Swimming Club is to provide swimming coaching to children to advance their skills and stroke technique while also gaining fitness.

The club’s activities are mostly swimming training and hosting an annual carnival. It also holds a few fun nights throughout the season such as bbqs and water-polo.

The club began in 1936 when Mr Leo Thompson was appointed interim chairman. Mr J W Hiscock was elected president soon after and membership fees were two shillings (20 cents) for adults and one shilling (ten cents) for children under 12. Club colours were set at black and white!

In the pool’s early years, the swimming club and the pool committee were one group.

Leigh Blake and Daniel Unwin were members who went on to achieve at higher levels while Matilda Darcy and Jess Walsh are more recent swim stars.

The club’s swimmers have been fortunate to train and learn their skills under the watchful eyes of dedicated

coaches over the years . . . and, importantly, they have enjoyed their sessions as well.

At April 2022, the club’s life members are Ron Blake, John Blake, Matt Coverdale, Dave and Paula Robertson, Barb Kerr and Margaret ‘Herb’ Finlayson.

Plaque captions

  1. Top Coaches: ‘Herb’ Finlayson and Barb Kerr (at back of group)
  2. 1979: V Baxter (left), P Clarke, C Blake, B Staggard, A Slater, J Staggard, L Blake, R Blake
  3. Back: D Robertson snr and jnr, J Lynch. Middle: K Robertson, C Meade, M Coverdale, Front: T Mahony, D Meade, B Christiansen, C Mahony, K Sambell
  4. Charlie Wason
  5. Amy Kellermeier
  6. Team Togetherness: Back: C Walsh (left), M Katsaros, C Kennedy, M Kealley, A Chivell, P Walsh, J Wason. Front: Z Howard, M McVilly, N DeBie, C Winsall, O Winsall, M Howard, E Howard, J Walsh
  7. Club Spirit: Committed coaches – David Robertson and Donna Scott (front) with swimmers and families
  8. Tabitha Perriss
  9. Emily Henriksen
  10. Winners: B Christiansen (left), N Sambell, B Errey and C Beaton
  11. Presentations: Back: M Coverdale (left), V Steel, A Perriss, H Wason Front: E Howard, C Kennedy, J Walsh, G McDonald, W Perriss

Swimming Club Gallery