Wonderful news announced at last week’s swim – Joy Cutler has made her decision to join our club as an official member and we couldn’t be happier.

Formally a Grafton girl, Joy now lives in Inverell but unfortunately cannot compete at carnivals so to solve that problem we have made her a financial member of our club and she is now a member also of the GDSC.

Also, Shannon Thompson, a former member joined us for a dip whilst home for a few weeks from London and Pedro Braga who has just moved to Grafton was encouraged to join in competition for the night and did so well that he has informed us that he will be back.

Pedro qualified for the final of the 50m freestyle along with Terry Marsh, David Moon, Steve Donnelly and Doug Ensbey.

In a hotly contested finish it was David who came away with the win recording a time of 28.22. Marshy was next home and Pedro was placed third.

The next final was the 25m freestyle and contesting this were John Wainwright, Geoff Simkus, David Moon, Pedro Braga and Gary Dixon.

The timekeepers’ job in this event is always a very soggy one as there is always plenty of water being thrown about at the finish.

Touching first was Gary and with a 15.18 time recorded took the win from Geoff who was only a whisker away. John, also with a good time, was placed third.

The last race for the night was the breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke and the qualifiers were Anne Simkus, Andrew Madden, Damien O’Mahony and Shannon Thompson.

Anne, who is in good form at present, covered the 25m doing backstroke but unfortunately was too quick, earning herself a disqualification. Next home was Shannon, doing breaststroke, but he also was too quick, breaking by .32. Damien was the next to arrive and with a good time recorded was award the win with Andrew taking second place.

The AIF National competition is now on the minds of all members. On Saturday March 18 at the Des Redford Leisure Centre, clubs from all over will be competing and Grafton will be represented by eleven members.

Toni Ensbey