Community
23 October, 2025
New members vow stability for struggling club
AN INFLUX of new committee members has positioned the Terang Swimming Club to grow from strength-to-strength following fears the club could fold.
As Western District Newspapers reported earlier this month, the club had appealed for volunteers ahead of its October 13 Annual General Meeting due to most of the incumbent committee needing to step down due to personal or work commitments.
President Gabby Sachs-Bellman, who is returning to the role for a second consecutive year, she said was optimistic the new committee could hit the ground running.
“We have Tori Parsons as vice president – she’s also our swimming coach so she has a lot of experience,” she said.
“We’ve got a new secretary-treasurer, Kristie Simpson, who is taking over from Cindy McDougall.
“On top of that we have four members on general committee, all of whom are Mortlake families.”
Ms Sachs-Bellman said it was important to keep the club running, particularly at a time when so many children are benefitting from involvement.
“We’ve done well to get a committee together to run the club again this year,” she said.
“It is very exciting because we had a record last year of 26 swimmers – I would have hated to have seen the club fold just one year after having a record number of swimmers the season prior.
“There’re exciting times ahead, I think.”
Ms Sachs-Bellman said she had wanted to get involved as her daughters benefit from the lessons the club provides.
“My two girls have been doing swim club for the past three years – they are 15 and eight,” she said.
“I didn’t know much about it until I went to the meeting last year.
“This year the president role was up for grabs so I put my hand up – I’m getting thrown in the deep end, but I didn’t want to see it fold because it has been going a long time.
“I took over as president last year from Lisa Chesshire, who has been there every step of the way.”
The club will take a measured approach to its future, ensuring stability is the main focus to maintain the programs for children.
“We’re still new so our priority is just to keep it going and keep getting kids into the pool,” she said.
“Them learning to swim is our goal – and we meet that goal if we can keep the club going.”
The club is set to kick off its season from next month, and welcomes anyone who is interested in taking part to dive in with a free trail.
“Our first two weeks when we start will have a free trial,” Ms Sachs-Bellman said.
“You’re welcome to come and give it a try – if the kids love it, we’d love to have you jump on board.
“The pool season is expected to open late November, with the club expecting to have its first session on November 25.”
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