Geelong Swimming Club celebrates its 140th

NAMES like Peter Doak, Michael Caroll and dozens more will be uttered next Saturday as Geelong’s longest-running swimming club celebrates a historic milestone bringing together past and present members.

May 14 will mark 140 years of history for the Geelong Swimming Club (GSC) since being founded as Geelong Western Swimming Club in 1882.

“There is a big part of Geelong here,” GSC president Glenn Benson said.

“For me to see the club through to its 140th year, coupled with a really committed and hard-working community and set of employees, is a fantastic feeling.”

GSC’s 140th anniversary celebration will take place at GMHBA Stadium’s Captains Room, just a stone’s throw away from the club.

Slideshows featuring photos from the club’s early days and club trophies won at past meets will line the room, providing a visual representation of GSC’s success since the 1850s.

“Our swimmers now will get the chance to meet past members from 30, 40 even 60 years ago,” club secretary Emy Simsic said.

“It will provide an awesome opportunity for people attending the event to share stories and pass on the history of the club as we continue to move forward.”

GSC originally began as a social club, but over the years began nurturing athletes competing at a national level.

The club, now situated in Kardinia Park’s Pool Complex, boasts a newly formed Learn to Swim school, as well as its squad level teams accommodating to more than 200 competitive swimmers.

Currently a total of 350 club members make up the club coupled with 1,400 learn to swim participants enrolled each year.

Committee member Jessica O’Brien encouraged as many members as possible to make their way down to the 140th after stating the club is home to swimmers from all over the region including the Bellarine and Surf Coast.

“We are super lucky to live here in Geelong,” Ms O’Brien said.

“We have access to pools, rivers, lakes, oceans and water sports, pretty much anything to do with water so we have members from all of our regions, and we urge all to attend the anniversary on May 14.”

GSC will be releasing 140-year anniversary merchandise over the next month, namely swimming caps that swimmers will wear while training and racing.

Members past and present who wish to attend the anniversary event can contact GSC’s secretary on [email protected].