They say age is only a number, but for a relay team from Warringah Masters Swimming Club their combined age of 281 is pretty impressive. In August, John De Vries, 67, Jorian Catzel, 77, Stuart Meares, 64, and Gordon Whyte, 73, smashed the 4 x 50 metres men's 280+ age group medley relay at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore, winning gold with a time of two minutes and 26 seconds. The foursome was part of a 20-strong delegation from Warringah Masters, the largest swimming club on the northern beaches. I give a special shout-out to Collaroy resident Gordon Whyte, who at 73 trains up to four times a week and is already training for the next Masters competition in Budapest in 2027. His favourite stroke is butterfly, and he came fifth in the world across 200 metres after winning gold in the 100 metres event in the Masters Nationals in May. Gordon is supported by his faithful and very proud cheer squad—Lee, Sarah, Greta, Lisa, Amy, the next generation, Jack, and the newest edition at only a few weeks old, Nora. Congratulations Gordon, on all fronts.
Read the Community Recognition Statement in the NSW Hansard, here.