Lara Swimming Club ~ established in 1963

SEASON 2009/10

HISTORY
Club History
Club Photographs
Club Champions
Lara Township
Life Members

Some items on the website may be viewed only by members.

Last updated:
01/07/2009

Contact Secretary:
Kevin O'Neil

LARA SWIMMING CLUB ~ HISTORY

The Lara Swimming Pool was opened to the public on 9th March 1963, being the first municipal pool in the Geelong area – prior to this, District swimming training was undertaken at Eastern Beach and Rippleside Beach.  It was named the McClelland Pool in recognition of the family who donated the land on which the pool was constructed.  Funding to build the fifty-five yard pool (imperial measurement) was mainly provided by the Shire of Corio.

Just prior to the pool opening (22nd February) the manager at the time, Mr. Herb Jeffrey, asked interested people to attend a meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing a swimming club in the town.  There was sufficient interest for this to proceed and, as a consequence of this meeting, the Lara Amateur Swimming and Lifesaving Club was established, with Mr. Herb Jeffrey as coach.  In the early years, senior members of the Club also acted as lifesavers to assist the manager on busy days.  Robyn Jeffrey became the Club’s first registered swimmer and she went on to be a top performer at both the Geelong and Country Championships.

The inaugural President was Mr. F. Doughty, Senior Vice-President Mr. R. Hughes, Junior Vice-President Mr. W. Young, Secretary/Treasurer Mr. W. Armstrong and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Mr. A. Gillett.  The Club’s first swim meet was held in conjunction with the pool opening on 9th March, 1963, with eleven events being contested by eighty swimmers.  The minute book records that there were 109 members at this time.  Swim meets were held on Thursday nights, with this being changed to Sunday mornings for the following season.  Following objections from some local residents regarding the Sunday time slot, a further change was eventually made to hold the meets on Saturday mornings.  In its second season, the Club affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association (established 1893) and the points system for trophies was introduced.

The Club’s first Invitation Swimming Carnival was held on 14th February 1964.  Mr. Leon Touzel, Mr. Max Parker and Mr. Herb Jeffrey provided much advice and practical assistance for this meet.  The first Annual General Meeting was conducted on 6th May 1964 and the first Presentation Night was held in the Lara Hall on Saturday 9th May.  Around this time Mrs. June Richardson was co-opted onto the Committee, with a view to teaching young people to swim as part of the Club’s activities.  The Learn to Swim classes have continued throughout the Club’s history and we are proud of the efforts of many dedicated teachers who have taught countless children to swim since our Club’s inception.  The Club participated in the first Inter-District Competition at the Norlane Olympic Pool on 18th December 1967, followed by the second Inter-District Competition at the Lara Pool on 22nd January 1968.

The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 6th May 1975 record that the Lara Pool had been heated, and membership stood at 205 members. The Napthine Pairs Relay was introduced for the end of season break-up in 1976 and was a great success (Club Coach Mr.  Vin Napthine conducted the Club’s first Winter training at Tresize’s Pool in Geelong in the early 1970s.)  Mr. Napthine was later awarded an MBE for services to swimming.

In an effort to provide funds to build Clubrooms, many special fundraising events were held over a number of years and, in addition, each swimmer of school-age was required to pay ten cents per week towards the Building Fund, whilst those in employment paid twenty cents per week.  The Club’s minutes also record that monthly social events were run by the Committee to add to the Building Fund.  The significant funding required from the Shire of Corio for this type of project had been delayed, due to the devastating effects of the Lara Bushfires in 1969, so it was on 12th March, 1976 before the Clubrooms finally opened.  This was a real milestone in the Club’s history.

During Australia’s Bi-Centennial Year (1988) the Club celebrated its silver anniversary with a well-attended cabaret at the Lara Hall.  Many early members attended this function, providing the opportunity for newer members to meet the Club’s founders. 

Having been an eight-lane pool for much of its time, it was changed to six lanes in 1995, thus providing much-needed additional width for senior butterfly swimmers.  With local council amalgamations, management of the pool has also changed from the Shire of Corio to the City of Greater Geelong.

Since these early times our Club has continued to flourish, with most Club meets still being held on Saturday mornings.  Both championship and handicap events are held, with Learn to Swim lessons being conducted at the same time.  A small number of ‘semi-retired’ handicap races are also held each week to provide the opportunity for senior Club members to participate in our meets.

Our members have ranged from those who have participated primarily for fun and exercise, to others who have competed at Country, State and National Championships.  For those who have been awarded medals at these high-level meets, the Club proudly displays both individual and relay team photographs in the Clubrooms.  In addition, the names of all the Club’s age group champions, semi-retired winners and life members are also printed on the honour boards.  Throughout the Club’s history we also have a strong record of our swimmers participating in a wide range of other District events, as well as swim meets conducted by other clubs.

Lara Swimming Club has long been recognised as the ‘Friendly Club’, a tradition of which we are extremely proud.  The uniform colours of navy-blue and white have been used since the Club’s inception and, in more recent times, the range of uniform items available to members has been greatly extended.  The Club’s logo has also undergone two changes since the original one which included only a female form.  The Lara Swimming Club Inc. (name change in 1994) is committed to improving equipment and facilities, whilst also implementing changes to meet the needs of its current members.  In 2007 the Club’s inaugural Autumn training program was introduced, enabling swimmers to train throughout the whole year.

In March 2003 the Lara Swimming Club celebrated its 40th anniversary and this special milestone in the Club’s history was celebrated with a dinner and photographic displays.  This proved to be a wonderful opportunity for both past and present members to meet and share a common pride in the achievements of the Lara Swimming Club over four decades.  The patron for the 40th anniversary was Mr. Des Blackman who has been our most senior swimmer for many years.

Initial moves have been made towards the possible establishment of a gymnasium on our site and eventual roofing of the pool for all-year use.   Members of the Lara Swimming Club will be actively working with other members of the community in aiming to achieve these upgraded facilities for our town.

Pam Strijder
History & Memorabilia Co-ordinator

TIMELINE

2005 ~ Website Launch
1995 ~ Pool Reverts to 6 Lanes
1994 ~ Lara Swimming Club Inc.
1988 ~ Silver Anniversary
1985 ~ Heritage Festival Time Capsule
1982 ~ Inaugural 24 Hour Swim
1976 ~ Clubrooms Open
1975 ~ Pool Heated
1969 ~ Lara Bushfires
1967 ~ First Inter-District
1964 ~ First Carnival
1963 ~ Lara Amateur Swimming Club formed
1963 ~ Lara Pool Opens (12 February)