The Sea Eels commenced our 21st winter swimming season on Sunday 18 April 2010 with the usual foxing at time trials and the customary dodging of jobs at the AGM afterwards. Many of the previous committee was elected again with President Peter McDonald commanding his exec team of Captain Barry McGuinness, Secretary Phil Kelly and Treasurer Terry Wood. We unanimously elected to award Life Membership to Nathan Johnston this season.
For the first time we made the trip to Gunnamatta Bay on 16 May to swim with the Cronulla RSL Swimming Club, and the Georges River Bull Sharks. The swim proper was fine, if a bit challenging for not being able to see the bottom of the bay. We must have each contributed three times over to the raffle, but it and the lunch were well worth it. The heavy downpour kept everyone indoors.
The following week we hosted the Austinmer Otters and the Cronulla Polar Bears at Coalcliff club house for the Owley Seymour Cup. The usual shenanigans and fines ensued, lots of hats and laughs in the sunshine, after a pretty freezing swim.
We had our usual frozen wind-swept outing on the wall of death at Bulli on 30 June. We thought we lost our Fine Marshal for good, but we all dusted ourselves off for yet another food feast and yet another trophy famine. This time they didn’t even bring the Jimmy Johns Trophy, obviously mistakenly believing it may ever get knocked off. Maybe next year!
We came second overall and second on handicap at the SCWSA Champos on 18 July. A really great effort, from all Sea Eels. The inaugural John Stacpoole trophy for the SCWSA Championship “Swimmer of the Meet” was awarded to Peter Kellaway BSL; John’s brother Barry and his son Ben presented the trophy. John continues to be very sadly missed by all.
Thank you to all who helped on the CRAM visit on 29 August at the HWS&S club. Thank you especially to Binner’s, Grima Bros., Al’s Meats and The Workers’ Club for their support and to the Sea Eels who donated to help others throughout the season. It was a great day particularly for the CRAM house clients as well as for their carers who also look forward to the day out.
Sunday 12 September saw the conclusion of our 21st season, when the Championships and Presentation were held. Congratulations to all those award-winners as well as all the contenders.
Another busy season and many thanks to all those who helped out to make it a memorable day.
The Sea Eels went to the Botany Pool to contest the WSAA Championships on Sunday 19 September. We took a few of the ladies, but didn’t get any medals, despite offering to lend Peter Mac to any Club that would have him, provided they fed him lunch. The luncheon was not particularly memorable without Barnie or Brains to rev them up. But Anne, Dawn and Karen made sure they enjoyed themselves. The blokes had almost as many beers!!
We finished off the season with Xmas drinks at Treasure Island, the home of Pirate Pete & Sandy Mac. A great day to finish off a great season, although the overcast day was a sign of the summer to come.
Patrons and Supporters
Thanks always to our patrons, HSPSLSC President Carl Williams and Coalcliff SLSC President Rob Deacon. The Sea Eels are grateful for donations from Sinner’s Farm and Grima Bros. Fresh Markets and to Marg and Peter Hunt for donating the weekly raffles.
Club Championship and Presentation Day
At the Club Championships there were 16 contenders with 100% attendance for the most coveted award, the “Slippery Eel” and Gary Marshall won the trophy in his first attempt. What an effort, what a legend; what a burglar!
The Stan McCabe Cup for Club Person of the Year was awarded to Anne-Marie Connolly for her outstanding and seemingly effortless command of the Providore role, her keenness to get amongst the chores, good nature and contribution to the club.
