Swimming royalty opens inaugural event

Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre hosts first official major event

This is what I choose to do for fun. It makes it all a little bit easier.” That was how Madi Wilson, an Olympic and World Championship winning swimmer, summed up her swimming career as she spoke to a room of sponsors and officials on the opening night of the 2023 South Australian Country Swimming Championships – the first major event hosted by Mount Gambier’s newly opened Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.

The 28-year old, that has been a part of a generation of Australia dominating the female relay landscape, was a hit with the hundreds of young swimmers attending and competing at the four day event and after officially opening the 2023 championships, she happily posed for selfies and autographed equipment and clothing.

Of course, arguably the most excited person at the championship opening was City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin, who just three weeks after the soft opening of the multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art facility was able to welcome hundreds of visitors to the generational community project.

“You are the first group to use the facility for an evet of this type,” Mayor Martin said. “As you can see, Wulanda is amazing, and the City of Mount Gambier has invested some $62million bollard in this year-round, multi-functional facility for people of all ages and abilities, which will serve our city for generations to come.”

The Mayor also used the opportunity to speak to a captive audience to promote the many other drawcards of the region.

“While you are here I hope you have time to explore our famous Blue Lake, Umpherston Sinkhole, our beautiful parks and gardens and the wonderful natural attraction of our crater lakes,” she said.

“In our CBD you will find the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, the largest regional gallery in South Australia, our award winning library, the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, along with the fabulous Swimming royalty opens inaugural event café, hospitality and diverse retail offering.”

The Mayor was also quick to acknowledge the efforts of those at the coalface, who have been working for the best part of four years to ensure Mount Gambier could host this major State event.

“Events like this just do not happen,” Mayor Martin said. “They rely on sponsors and volunteers. I would like to congratulate everyone involved, especially the committee of local, passionate people who have worked hard to bring the event together and I wish you a successful carnival.

“To all the participants, I know you have been training hard in the lead up to the event and I wish you every success but above all enjoy the camaraderie and friendships that you will make over the coming days.”

OFFICIAL OPENING: (From left) Madi Wilson; Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin & Danielle Burford singing the natioinal anthem.