Past and present swimmers, young and old,  gathered to celebrate the centenary of the Inverell Swimming Club at the gala dinner/reunion held at the RSM Club on Saturday. 

Older members trembled with delight as they looked through the memorabilia, painstakingly collected by the organisers. Old articles, photos, trophies, letters, gathered the attention of those who attended the gala. 

Best of all were the stories told as old swimmers took the floor, one after the other, remembering the joys of swimming in their eras.Times before sunscreen and seatbelts were compulsory.

They’d be packed at the back of a station wagon, jumping around like beans from one competition to another. 

Times change, but friendships remain strong. And swimmers will always be swimmers.

Andrew Kerr, master of ceremonies, called for a show of hands.

“So who still swims?” he asked. Everyone, apparently. 

And to ensure that the sport continues to thrive in the future, Inverell’s Mayor Paul Harmon took the floor with promises of upgraded aquatic facilities.