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This week we celebrated 60 years of Swimming Carnivals at the College, which would have been perfect timing as this year’s House Swimming Carnival was supposed to take place on Monday 22 (however was cancelled due to weather), almost 60 years to the day from the inaugural event on March 20 1961!

“Swimming” (1961)

With the destruction of the enclosed baths on our beach, open sea-bathing sport lapsed for lack of facilities and swimming prestige lapsed. This year the House Captains, led by the College Captain, a practised swimmer, determined on a way out. Baths at Richmond and Oakleigh were hired and competitors practised. Then three buses set out from the College one forenoon in April filled with enthusiasts. The two hours’ swimming contests were supervised by the ladies who comprise the executive of the Swimming Association of Victoria. It was a fresh aspect of physical and moral training given a fair trial with 100% success. 1

"Swimming Sports - Kilbredian Mermaids Take First Plunge – Splash!" (1961)

This was the order of the day on the 20th March, 1961, the occasion of Kilbreda’s first annual House Swimming Championships. After many years  of debating, swimming sports were finally inaugurated into Kilbreda’s sports program, much to the delight of all the senior girls. Being the first attempt, little was known of the ability of the girls, but as events transpired it was discovered, to general surprise, that there are a number of aspiring swimmers within the school. This provided close competition and the battle for first place was a difficult one.

The victorious house, Kilbreda, was closely followed by Padua and Lisieux, with Lourdes filling fourth place. Compliments must be paid to the Women’s Amateur Swimming Association, who officiated the events and gave the girls much encouragement. Adding novelty to the afternoon was a prefects’ race, which proved to be more of a splash than a show of ability. 

Some of the stars were: Evelyn Mullumby, Helen Dickenson, Kerry McErlaine, Madeleine  Sierakowski, Barbara Armstrong. Outstanding in the various sections were:-

Open – B. Armstrong  

Under 19 – B. Armstrong 

Under 16- A. Rennie 

Under 14 – T. Barwick

Who knows if one of the above-named may not yet outrival a former pupil of the College, Annette Kellerman, famous for swimming the English Channel!

Final points: Kilbreda 81, Padua 67, Lisieux 63, Lourdes 61.

The Under 14 Champion, Tessa Merritt (née Barwick) taught numerous Kilbreda girls to swim as an instructor at the Mentone Grammar Pool in years gone by.

Damian Smith 

Archives

1 Convent Annals 1961 p29

2 Kilbreda Annual 1961 p48