Western Districts AIF Swimming Championships

DUBBO Ducks hosted the 55th Annual event in perfect conditions last Sunday morning. The day started with a remembrance service for all servicemen and women when bugler Alan Sloane sounded the Last Post and Reveille, Greg Salmon MM recited the Ode and Bill Greenwood floated a wreath into the middle of the pool.

Over 100 swimmers representing the Condobolin Diggers, Forbes Platypies (or Magpusses), Nyngan Splashers, Cobar Yabbies, Wellington Platypus and Dubbo Ducks competed in events from 30m to 100m and ended with 4, 6 and 10 person relays.

David Sly (Forbes) claimed the Ian & Margaret Settree Trophy named in honour of the popular Cobar couple who died tragically three years ago.

Condobolin’s Graeme Yetman took out the 30m Col Eastburn Handicap, Greg “Fish” Salmon the Parkes Services Club 60 years and over handicap, Ross Tomlins the Leo Ireland 50m RSL Handicap, John Wherritt the Clive Roots Open 50ms, while Brett Schloeffel and Aaron Edwards (Wellington) could not be separated in the Under 50s final.

Other trophy winners included Tony Wall (65 and over 50m), David Gibbons (Nyngan, 50-64 yrs), Simone Hansen (Big On Syle and Condobolin RSL Ladies Open), Mark Scullard the Forbes Services Tom Drane Memorial Trophy (Men’s Open 50m), while Kane Gibbons from Nyngan was an impressive finisher to take the Warren Services Club 100m final.

Ducks evergreen champion Gary Giddings takes over from Robbie Rich in the last event of the day, the 10-person relay

The Gibbons family, Adrian, David, Kathryn and Kane travelled down from Queensland to keep a family tradition alive and swim the relay for the Nyngan Splashers.