14/11/2018 – Amazing Tony Talk and Washing Machine Swim

Such a stunning pink sky over Manly Beach at 5.30am this morning. The surf was up though and visibility down,  water was stinger free and not too cold…Around 140 swimmers today and water 19.6

I’ll start off by thanking Tony Stuart for such an enlightening, moving and inspirational talk  at our Bluewater dinner last night. This guy was head of NRMA a couple of years ago now he is CEO of UNICEF Australia, and as part of his job and in his words ‘to be authentic’ is visiting places where atrocities are beyond our comprehension. In South Sudan he spent time in a Detention Centre and saw for himself how Unicef is helping kids and families. People in the camp are terrified of rebels who are a constant threat and they can’t go out of the camps because of the violence. Thank goodness for UNICEF and amazing individuals like Tony…

More amazing individuals…Drinky, Shaun, Leisa, Michael and Di, ready to start the day with some vitamin sea!

Drinky did warm everyone about strong currents and tricky surf but Jo and Heather go in from the beach. Second pic shows Heather disappearing under a wave! She swam back in to the beach too but said she felt she was ‘in an Omo ad’ as she was tossed around in the white stuff!

The A team love the camera!

These three were first to Shelly but didn’t like to tell me they’d just come from half way..

A smaller crowd at Shelly today. Edwina’s bluebottle photo must have put them off

Rainer teaches Jesse to be a Blog Tart

Dave and Vince are 3rd and 4th back

John Forster, 3rd on The Pacific Challenge with 4139 kms swam!
 

Champo and Brian at the weekend after their 500 and 1000km swims

Happy swimmers post-swim

Here’s Tony showing us pics of the Detention Camp in South Sudan. It’s risky business working in some of these places. It’s not all depressing stuff however, Tony told us a heartwarming story when he helped  reunite some children with their Mother who had pushed them down the river Nile as rebels approached their village. The schooling in these camps is also amazing with some kids only one year behind HSC students at Barker despite living in desperate conditions.

Thanks again Tony, a great night.

Sorry for the late blog. I was teaching. We are in need of Wednesday bloggers btw if anyone can help out

B&B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 11^th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2^nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme is simply “Christmas”, so come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. The music this year will again be provided by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, as numbers are limited. Book HERE now!

On the night, Royal Far West will be running a monster raffle and auction. Last year, this raised over $4000 for their important programs for disadvantaged kids. There will be fantastic items up for grabs, so be prepared to bid hard. Royal Far West have requested if you have any valuable items to donate for the auction or raffle, that you contact Desiree (desireec@royalfarwest.org.au), who will be co-ordinating the event for RFW.

Signing off

Lainey