Mermaids make a splash at Cottage by the Sea

THE Mermaids swimming group has made an impression at children’s charity Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff.

Comprising women from the Bellarine Peninsula who swim each morning off Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, the group was hosted for breakfast at the cottage last week and were then given a tour of the facilities.

One of the Mermaids, Shirley Lasham, organised the visit, and is also a volunteer at the Cottage by the Sea kitchen every Friday to help the cottage chef prepare a healthy and nutritious meal for the children who attend.

Ms Lasham said she had been volunteering at the cottage for more than a decade.

“We had 30 names on the list for today’s Mermaid swim and breakfast. Here we are at the Cottage making a racket and putting our money in the kitty for a very good cause.

“The $1,200 we’ve raised today will be part of the Cottage by the Sea Winter Warmers fundraiser and The Mermaids are delighted to have been asked to be the inaugural ambassadors of the Cottage’s new fundraiser ‘Winter Warmers’. It’s great to know that the $1,200 we’ve raised today will be part of something much bigger.”

Founding Mermaid member Helen said the group came into being about 30 years ago.

“Most would start at 7.30am but I would start at 6.10am so I could get to work on time.”

She said she would never forget the day she was almost plucked from the water.

“One morning when the army was still here, a helicopter flew over and one of the army officers from the helicopter yelled out ‘Are you alright down there? and I said ‘Yes I’m having my morning swim’.

“There are some pretty good swimmers among us – Maj McKinnon, who was in our group, was actually an Australian Commonwealth Games backstroke representative.

“We all just come down, get in and have a ball, and I don’t think I’ll stop until they drag me out.”

Some of the Mermaids will be attending Cottage by the Sea’s inaugural ‘Winter Warmers’ breakfast, which will be held at GMHBA Stadium on Wednesday, May 3 from 7-9am.

The breakfast will be hosted by Cottage by the Sea ambassador Ian Cover.

Special guests will include renowned speaker and “Prademic” Dr Paul Taylor giving tips on tackling the winter blues; cottage ambassador and “The Unbreakable Farmer” Warren Davies, a leading mental health advocate; and Tim & Jess from k Rock.

Tickets are still available at trybooking.com/CGZPZ