STORY ROUSES INTEREST

(Published 19/01/11)

by Tim Carrier
Photo : Old Times: Can you identify the swimmer inthe front row, fifth from left?

A STORY in the Mail about the history of swims in Busselton involving our iconic jetty has stirred the memories of the community. Several members of the public have come forward to the Mail with information about open water swimming in the region in the 1950’s.

An email from Maureen Nicholson indicated that she was a member of the Busselton Swimming Club “way back then” and that the swim through was an annual event, which she competed in. “It was a handicap event, starting from the 55 yard platform, to Gale Street, (or thereabouts) around a buoy and finished at the main jetty, which of course is no longer here,” she recalled. She said Judy and Gil Wilder were the founders of the Busselton Swimming Club and that there were several swimmers still living in the area who were regular participants in the event. They include Jill Reilly (nee Whiteland), John Reid, Fay Bock (nee Embling), Sandy Dunnet (nee Groves), Vicki Passmore (nee Grocock) and Maureen Nicholson (nee Guthrie).

The Mail also received a program of the first open swim through Busselton (distance 1/2 mile), which took place on Sunday, February 3, 1957 at 2.45pm from the main jetty. There is also an open carnival event listed to begin at 9.45am, consisting of 11 freestyle events and one back or breaststroke event. Distances were 55 or 110 yards and the relay (or mixed teams’ championship as it was then called) each had six swimmers – two juveniles, two juniors and two seniors. The clubs involved in the meet were, Ascot, Busselton, Belmont Park, City, Guildford, Melville and Maylands. There were 16 listed competitors, in the open swim through, from Busselton.

It is also interesting to note the trophy list on the program. First prize was a canteen cutlery, second a chiming clock, third a silver tray and fourth a travelling clock. Other prizes listed were a silver tray and liquor set, a set of dessert spoons and forks, a set of dessert forks, a condiment set, a silver mug and a silver sugar bowl. The program thanks the sea scouts, owners of patrolling boats, department of the Army, the ladies committee and “all those who have helped in any way or another to make the day a success”.

And last, but certainly not least was information provided by Muriel Linton (nee McGregor-Butler) and her daughter Kristine Carter about the Busselton Swimming Club in 1956. “Races were held regularly over the years, with occasional night carnivals lit by lights on the main jetty,” Kristine said. “Gil Wilder made the announcements and called the races over a loud-speaker system.” “The group photo (left) was taken prior to the first swim through in Busselton in 1956. “The course was parallel to the beach heading west, to about Gale Street and back. “The race was won by Muriel’s 13-year-old daughter Clare Butler (as she was known then), who still has the inscribed trophy.” Kristine said there is one person in the photo who is not identified, fifth from the left, and is wondering if anyone knows who it is. Muriel said Clare is now living in Washington DC and still swims every day. “She was a good swimmer, trained by her father, and placed third in the Rottnest Swim one year,” she said. “She still comes to Busselton every March to visit me, although she hasn’t competed in the Jetty Swim since it became an event.