ANNUAL 100 LAP CHALLENGE

On Saturday, February 25, twenty-two swimmers of various ages participated in the 29th 100 Lap Challenge at Tatura Swimming Pool. This is an annual event to support the Tatura Hospital and Parkvilla Aged Care Facility. It was a fine day with the pool temperature at a comfortable 27 degrees.

There were nine swimmers who completed 100 laps individually. They were Sue Walters, Rita Fairchild, Rob Miller, Alice Gubbins, Trevor Anselmi, Colin Magnay, Taylor Hall, Shelley Graves, and former Tatura resident John Stewart who returned from Ararat to participate. The Hospital and Parkvilla acknowledge the ongoing support from the Stewart family who, while no longer resident in Tatura, return each year to continue a tradition so dear to the heart of their mother and grandmother, Fairlie Stewart, who led the veteran’s team for many years.

Teams were made up of family and friends swimming to complete 100 or more laps. Tatura Rotarian Richard Graves and his daughter Shelley swam 110 laps and therefore have ten in the bank for next year. Other teams were the Jets, made up of Greg Smith, Geoff, Damien, Erin, Lucy and Martin Lipshut, who cleaned up 100 easily. Stephanie Wilton led a Lifeguards team, including Jessica Carroll, Tyler Jamieson, Charlie Basile, Sean Mussolino and Sacha Spiegler. Steph and Jess completed 100 laps while the boys managed 100 between them.

The Hospital Ladies Auxiliary once again provided a delicious morning tea and welcome hot coffee for all the swimmers and supporters. Swimmers received certificates from the hospital and vouchers from Olivia, George and Sophie Wells of Tatura Hot Bread.

Due to wonderful support from many in the community, the event has, to date, raised $6790. Steve O’Toole, President of the committee of Tatura Hospital & Parkvilla, announced that these funds will go towards some garden refurbishments around the Hospital and Parkvilla facility for the enjoyment of patients, residents, and visitors.

Many thanks from the Tatura Hospital and Parkvilla Community Reference Group to the event convener Geoff Lipshut, Lipshut Law staff, Sue and Andrea at the hospital, and to all the swimmers, sponsors, supporters and helpers who organized the day and once more made it a successful and most enjoyable fundraiser on the Hospital’s calendar. Special thanks go to Stephanie Wilton and her Aquamoves staff for their management of the pool throughout the season.

The following organisations and businesses provided local support by sponsoring the event - Tatura Dental Care, Lipshut Law, Lipshut Plumbing, Challenge Taxation and Accounting Services, Toolamba Lions, Tatura Hot Bread, Toolamba CWA and Tatura Rotary Club. DBRE Property of Moorabbin also provided sponsorship of swimmers. Thank you to Aquamoves for their support by making the pool available for this community event.

The Tatura Hospital and Parkvilla and the Tatura Swimming Pool are both major assets in the town and this event serves to highlight their importance to the fabric of Tatura society and the willingness of the community to support them.

Please mark your diaries because the challenge will be held again on February 24, 2024.

- Gary Whyte