A three-day swim camp in flood-affected Quilpie brought families, swimmers and coaches together through water safety, connection and resilience, reminding regional communities they are not forgotten.
Led by the Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Rotary Club, the trip highlighted the power of swimming to support recovery, hope and community spirit.
Led by the Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Rotary Club, the trip highlighted the power of swimming to support recovery, hope and community spirit.
I have been extremely lucky, over 25 years, traveling around Queensland, the country and the world for swimming. From clinics and workshops in Thailand and India, INAS and Virtus World Champs and Global Games in Ecuador, Mexico, Brisbane and Vichy and then as part of the Australian Para Team in Paris and Singapore, it has been such an amazing journey. All wonderful trips with their own massive highlights and of course challenges.
However nothing quite gives you the experience, enjoyment and satisfaction as visiting regional swimming centres around Queensland. Traveling up North to Cooktown and Weipa, north west to Hughenden, Richmond and Mt Isa and just recently out to Quilpie, which is way out west.
Scooter and I, as part of the Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Rotary Club, took around 10 hours to fly and drive to the small town of Quilpie to run a three day swim camp and fundamental coaching course.
Quilpie and the surrounded towns were majorly effected by flood waters in Feb and March 2025. Today they are still struggling. When asked by Alina Graham (GWSDPRC President) to come out and give the communities a well needed boost in engagement, support and showing that people actually give a shit, it was a no brainer.
We met families from all around the area. Many travelling 100s Km to come into Quilpie. Some of the stories we heard were a little confronting. Hearing stories of families with young kids standing on their roofs, while flowing water lapped at their second storey floorboards, waiting to be rescued by helicopters. Losing all their stock, all their pets, bikes and toys is heartbreaking. Seeing photos of towns surrounded by water or under it just shows how stunning yet brutal life in these communities can be.
So our three day camp involved connection, learning, skills, water safety, my stupid fun games, obstacle courses and plenty of laughs. No boot camp, no big training sets just some basic swimming fun. It became so much more than just swimming.
Scooter spoke to the kids and parents about resilience, coming back from set backs, going again when others would have quit. His stories are real, different but can be related to. Scoot had many local parents and coaches in tears as he told his story and then in stitches as he describes his life as only Scoot can. Sometimes inappropriately of course…
Ray and Claire came up from Canberra to help with the younger swimmers in a similar LTS program. We could often hear the giggles of delight from the other side of the pool as Ray weaved his magic.
What a wonderful community of people in Quilpie. To Alina, Bec and the team, thank you so much for looking after us. To all the families, thanks for getting involved and making us so welcome. Everything was sorted organised and supplied. The pool is amazing and the gym blew our mind. Better than anything we have in Cairns.
The pubs were pretty good too, as all work and no play makes Herbie… well I don’t function quiet as well.
We had a meet and greet with the town folk on the Saturday night which included the Mayor and CEO. Again Scoot took centre stage answering questions and sharing his stories and the rollercoaster journey from a fat little 10 year old to the 3 time Paralympian he is today.
On the last night we visited Balding Top (Quilpie’s midget Ayres Rock) this gives you a bird's eye view of how flat the country is out there and how easy it is for flood waters to spread across the land and do so much damage.
An awesome trip made better by all the people involved. We walked and Scooted away with new friends, having given out a few new nicknames, and some wonderful memories.
Hopefully we made a difference
Herbie