31 October version 26

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1 electronic NEWS 31 October version 26 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER The last weekend in October saw a fantastic turn-out at the second Power in the Water Meet and the first meet for our new Community Swimming Officer, Paul Schindler. Paul will be a regular feature at meets, clinics and with club visits as he implements a range of programs with the goal being to increase the membership of Swimming Northern Territory. Paul is briefly introduced in this newsletter. November sees a full range of opportunities with the daz-l Distance meet this weekend being followed by the Casuarina Storm Invitational, Flipper Camp and then the Alice Springs Invitational. Also one of our long term significant partners, McDonald s will be holding the 20th Anniversary McHappy Day, a great show of their outstanding corporate citizenry. CONTENTS Introducing Paul Schindler Joash Barnes Smith Family Charity Bike Ride Swimming Australia Limited - Technical Officials Update Surf Lifesaving NT Box Jellyfish Update McHappy Day ascta Convention Calendar of Events Sponsor Acknowledgements DEVELOPMENT OFFICER PAUL SCHINDLER Since I was raised in Queensland, it was reinforced to me that sport is a lifestyle. When encouraged to participate in sport from a young age it will always have a strong positive influence in every part of your life for many years to come. As a young swimmer I reached a competitive level at State and National Championships. This provided the grounding for me to begin teaching and coaching within my club. Following school I joined the Australian Army where I saw military deployment to East Timor with the United Nations. While in the military I continued to swim, and coached when possible. After leaving the Army I moved to London in what started as a holiday however, I began teaching swimming and this presented me with the opportunity to start my own swimming club and program. The club grew rapidly and when I left to return to Australia the club had grown to over 120 swimmers within three years and was ranked in the top 11 junior clubs in London. I have returned to Australia to take the position as Community Swimming Officer or Development Officer for Swimming NT. The role of the job includes: building participation rates of swimming within the community introduce casual swimmers to competition provide opportunities for Indigenous swimming assistant schools in delivering swimming programs assist metropolitan and regional swimming club programs manage the Bush Schools Swimming and Lifestyle Clinic provide support to special needs development swimming programs Swimming is more than a sport, it is a skill that can save your life and ensures a healthy and active lifestyle. Swimming is a great way to make new friends and is a great social environment for children and their parents. After travelling the world I have seen that Australians are viewed by many around the world as a nation of swimmers. Since our country is surrounded by large expanses of water and criss-crossed with extensive inland rivers. Lakes and dams, we should all be able to swim, and swim better than the rest of the world. My personal goals are to motivate, nurture and encourage the concept that swimming is not only a life skill but an Australian way of life.

2 BARNES AROUND THE BAY I am riding in the 2011 Around The Bay ride. The ride is a 210km road race that encompasses the stunning Melbourne bay. The aim of the race is to raise much needed funds for The Smith Family. The Smith Family was created in order to help out disadvantaged children back in A bunch of guys were sitting around reminiscing about holidays and wondered if people were as great off as themselves. They came to the conclusion that not everyone was as lucky. They then donated anonymously to the local orphanage a whole heap of money and goodies for the local children to enjoy Christmas as well. When asked who they were they replied "The Smith Family". And thus, The Smith Family was created. As it currently stands, 1 in 7 Aussie kids are living disadvantaged. The aim of The Smith Family is to bridge the gap. By holding the Around The Bay cycle race they are hoping to raise 1.2 million dollars. Enough to help 25,000 Aussie children get a real good crack at life. I'll do the hard part and all I ask of you is a small donation to this wonderful cause. And of course, every donation is tax deductible!!! If you or any others would like to sponsor me for this great initiative you can head to: TECHNICAL OFFICIALS UPDATE Call for Technical Officials 2012 Australian Swimming Championships March 2012 Swimming Australia is calling for Technical Official nominations for the 2012 Australian Swimming Championships - SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Oaklands Park, South Australia, commencing Thursday, 15 March 2012 and concluding Thursday, 22 March Nominations are to be submitted online by 4 November BOX JELLYFISH STING TREATED AT MINDIL BEACH As all surf lifesavers know Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) are commonly found in our tropical inshore waters. Last Sunday Mindil Beach lifesavers Moira Wigley and Luke Marcroft were busy keeping people, including vulnerable young children, out of the shallows after a man was painfully stung on his legs while exercising his dog in shallow water. He was quickly treated with vinegar and ice and was very appreciative of the help from our volunteer lifesavers. The Mindil Beach patrol team clocked up over 50 preventative actions in 4 hours and undoubtedly saved others from being badly stung. Most people were unaware that wet season shallow water was so dangerous! Surf Life Saving NT is working with media and other agencies to increase awareness of the Box Jellyfish danger and the need for protective clothing during the wet season as a number of stings on beaches and at boat ramps have been reported to SLSNT this month.

3 McHappy Day this year celebrates its milestone 20 th Anniversary as one of Australia s largest annual fundraising events. Past and present celebrity supporters will be visiting McDonald s restaurants across the country as we aim to raise a record $3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC) On Saturday 12 th November, $2 from every Big Mac will go directly towards RMHC, so join us in raising funds to support seriously ill children and their families. This year marks one of the biggest years yet for McHappy Day as we celebrate our 20 th Anniversary on Saturday November 12 and aim to raise $3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Since the first McHappy Day in 1991, the Australian community has helped us raise over $18.5 million for RMHC. These funds have helped RMHC to both extend their programs and continue to provide much needed assistance to families with seriously ill children including. In alone RMHC: Added ten new bedrooms to the existing Ronald McDonald House in Adelaide. Was able to help an extra 100 children on the Learning Program. Launched EDMed, a program that trains teachers about educational issues relating to serious illness. Opened new Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Wodonga and Monash Hospitals. Launched Australia s first Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. There are now 13 Ronald McDonald Houses, a growing Learning Program and six Family Rooms across Australia and in 2010 alone we saw: 6,300 families sleep in a Ronald McDonald House 700 children catch up on missed education 16,500 people visiting the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms The Ronald McDonald Houses accommodate up to 270 families every night Since the beginning the Houses have provided more than 63,000 families with a home away from home while their child has undergone treatment at a nearby hospital and over 93,000 people have visited a Family Room since To find out more information about the Charity you can visit: or find them on Facebook at: facebook.com/rmhcaustralia

4 ASCTA and Swim Australia present: asctaconvention 2012 Location: Sofitel Gold Coast Dates: 24 April - 1 May 2012 Convention Program: Available January 2012 Online Registration: Available January 2012 More than 700 swimming coaches and teachers attend this event annually which is described as the best swimming convention in the World. Eight days, over 80 presenters and 25 exhibitors. (Members of ascta receive discounted registration fees). Coaching Stream: 24th - 29th April Teaching & Club Coaching Stream: 28th - 29th April Trade Expo (swim & pool products): 27th - 29th April Silver Coaching Accreditation Course: 24th - 28th April Coaching Open Water Swimmer Extension Course: 25th - 26th April Coaching Adult Swimmers Extension Course: 26th April Coaching Swimmer with a Disability Extension Course: 27th April Bronze Coaching Accreditation Course 30th April Swim Australia Teacher of Babies & Toddlers Course / Workshop: 26th April Swim Australia Teacher Course: 27th April Swim Australia Teacher of Competitive Swimming Course: 27th April Swim Australia Teacher of Learners with Disability Course: 30th April Certificate IV Training & Assessment Course (TAE40110): 25th - 26th April Trainers & Assessors Upgrade Course: 24th April asctaawards Dinner: 28th April Welcome Party: 26th April Golf Day: 26th April For more information on courses: accredidation@ascta.com Swim Australia's SwimFEST Swim Australia Conference for Swim Schools 30th April - 1st May Swim Australia Awards Dinner 30th April ABC's Workshop 27th April Swim Australia's Partner Display 30th - 1st May For more information on the Swim Australia events: Jay.Johnston@swimaustralia.org.au

5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Date Time Meet Venue Sat 5 Nov 7 for 7.30am Daz-L Distance Meet 1 Casuarina Sat-Sun Nov Top End Storm Invitational Casuarina Sat-Sun Nov Alice Springs Invitational Alice Springs Sat 3 Dec 4.30 for 5pm McDonald's 9 and Under Meet 2 Parap Pool Sat-Sun Dec NT Long Course Qualifying Meet Casuarina Sat-Fri Dec Queensland Championships Brisbane Sat 17 Dec 7 for 7.30am Daz-L Distance Meet 2 Casuarina Sat-Sun 7-8 Jan NSW 10/under-12 Championships SOPAC Fri-Sun Jan SA Country Championships Port Pirie Fri-Wed Jan SA Championships Adelaide Sat 11 Feb 7 for7.30am Daz-L Distance Meet 3 Casuarina Sat 18 Feb 4.30 for 5pm McDonalds 9 and Under Meet 3 Nightcliff Sat-Sun Feb 2012 Australian Open and Age Open Water Championships TBC Sat 25 Feb 4 for 5pm Power in the Water Series Meet 3 Casuarina Thur-Sun 8-11 March check session times 2012 Vorgee NT Open and Age Championships Casuarina Sat 10 March TBC 2012 McDonald's 9 and Under Championships Casuarina Sat-Sun March 2012 Australian Open Swimming Championships TBC Sat 31 March 4 for 5pm Power in the Water Series Meet 4 Casuarina Mon-Sat 9-14 April 2012 Australian Age Championships TBC Sat 21 April 4 for 5pm Darwin Invitational (incorporating Top End Sprints) Casuarina

6 SWIMMING NORTHERN TERRITORY SPONSORS