Mollymook News
editor Ken Banks
Sunrise at Mollymook Beach last week, during COVID Lockdown
Today’s news come to you from Agnes water / 1770 Qld., Lockhart, country NSW and Dave at the re-opening of the Dawn Fraser pool at Balmain.
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Sunrise at Blackwater Creek, Mollymook Beach, Yes in COVID Lockdown.
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Andrew (top) and Kate (bottom right in pic) with some of their rescue dogs.
Ken’s introduction: In today’s post, swimmers will get a glimpse of some of the beautiful qualities of character that lie within Kate and Andrew’s lovely nature. We generally just see what is on the surface, swimmers in good physical condition and etc. Seldom do people open up and begin to reveal their hidden inner self. Today, thanks to Kate, we will see two people who contribute in their own selfless way, to make this a better place. Both have very senior executive/management roles at work, but also have time to make a difference, in their own unique way.
Below, is a MUST read story!
Surf; out the back of Grant’s ‘Chateau Morrow’ property. (Therese’s pic)
6.00 am early morning swim
Things are almost normal for Grant during lockdown. Swim in the morning (in two’s) and then working at home as normal 7 days a week. At this time of the year he is busy attending to his bee hives and extracting stacks of honey. However, besides his bee keeping interest, he is busy preparing his mansion to place it on the accommodation rental market for special events, weddings and holiday bookings. (Grant, a master builder, designed and built ‘Chateau Morrow’)
8.00 am Grant, work as normal
Garry unperturbed by the big surf, shows his love for the ocean
Garry and his love affair with the ocean & an occasional whisky
Garry writes: “One of my recent anti-boredom lockdown projects has been to sift through my collection of underwater photos.
For many years we lived and worked in Indonesia and took every opportunity to go scuba diving in our free time. That led me to take up underwater photography as a hobby. Although it was strictly a hobby, my claim to fame was to be a winner in an international underwater photography competition sponsored by The Coral Reef Alliance back in 2003.
We were fortunate in being able to visit many remote diving locations in the Indonesian archipelago and witness lots of weird and wonderful underwater life and scenery.
This was in the pre-digital camera days so all photos were taken with an analogue camera in an underwater housing and then developed as colour slides.
Since my retirement, I have scanned the slides (around 500!) to convert them to digital files and thought you might be interested in sharing a few of them with the Mollymook Swimmers.
Thanks for doing such a great job with your daily bulletins and I hope these photos may add to the variety of contributions. Best regards, Garry H.”
(These pics are amazing. Best to view them on a large computer screen, A MUST; click on images to enlarge)
A spectacular sunrise at Mollymook Beach
Cheryl (Aka, Lois Lane, Superman’s love interest) the inspiration that led to new costumes for the ladies
It was 2014 and spring was approaching, so beautiful Cheryl decided a universal swimmers costume would be the go. She tried out a few Superhero costumes such as Batman and Winder Woman but unanimously, with the female swimmers input, they decided on Superman costumes, ‘YES! Empowerment for the ladies‘.
The young ladies really got involved, a 100% effort from all. Ken was asked to do the photo shoot, with them all in different ‘Superman’ poses.
It was so successful that we choose the twelve best pics and developed a calendar, one pic as the headline photo for each particular month, and called it ‘The Mollymook Calendar Girls‘.
After the photo shoot and a swim, the ladies left for work, to them, just another morning in beautiful Mollymook.
However, word soon spread and when Lekshe Losil heard about the photo shoot, she turned up the following weekend, for her pic to be taken.
This photo shoot is just another example of the fun times, in years gone by, ‘the way we were’ when we were able to congregate in groups, well before the COVID lock-downs that began occurring as of last year and this year.
Below are a few sample pics.
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The gang doing their early morning workout in the gym, prior to the COVID Lock-downs
Each morning during the pre-covid times, some of the ocean swimmers met early morning to workout in the Mollymook Surf Club Gym prior to their 6.45am ocean swimming. Each had their own routine to follow which was generally interrupted by some banter. Kelly was our inspiration, usually arriving around 5.30am, well before the older men.
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Beautiful sunrise at Mollymook beach this past Monday morning
Recent POST, ‘Memories that last a life time’ brought back so many memories. Marlene wrote: “MEMORIES!!” They are so wonderful to hang on to, sad and wonderful all at the same time. So many photos of Doug, I think that was our first year, back in 2014. Regards Marlene” Lekshe Losal wrote: “Great photos and even better memories of Great food and friends. ” Heather wrote: “Great news letter that was a fun time, lovely seeing all the memories thank you” Glynis wrote: “thanks for sharing looked like so much fun !! ” + many more positive verbal comments.
The local Mollymook Ocean swimmers were very fortunate to obtain the services of eminent ‘Master of Ceremonies’ H.G. Nelson and ‘Rampaging’ Roy Slaven, aka Bill and Roscoe. They did an admirable job containing the boisterous conduct and maintaining the entire awards presentation throughout the evening to a tight schedule. “Well done Roy and HG”.
Credit to hosts, Louise and Pat and for many of the pics throughout, Roger and Heather
Therese took this fabulous pic last week at the ‘Point Nor-East’ surf break
Tim and Sue at the Heathland Walk – Flannel flowers
Tim wrote: “Lockdown for us has been great. Reading the lockdown mail and getting out there seeing and doing things not done before around here … in particular thanks to Simone for her flower visit, pics and prompt. Embarrassing enough… first visits to see the Heathlands Walk in Ulladulla and the flannel flowers are out.
Ian and Leonie at the Ulladulla Wildflower Reserve Walk – Waratah
Ian wrote: “Hope you are all well and enjoying restricted activity?? Leonie and I went for a walk in the area adjacent to the Aquatic centre and came across many beautiful Waratahs. Short walk but well worth it.”
After Simone’s recommendation last week on the two lovely local bush walks, so many swimmers responded. Besides Tim and Sue, Ian and Leonie above, this past weekend saw Kate, Andrew, Ed, Katie and Sam do the walk. Last week Chris, Sue and Wendy enjoyed the walk, among a number of other swimmers and partners.
Marlene wrote: “I went with a friend yesterday to South Pacific Heathland reserve, walk, just wonderful, so so many colours and variety of wild flowers, we both want to go again. The flannel flowers are so special they are everywhere. Thanks to Simone I agree wholeheartedly a must walk outing for all of us, thank you so much. Kind regards to all, Marlene.”
John wrote: “Big thanks to Simone. We did the two bush walks today, then picked up some takeaway lunch at Tree House. What a great way to spend a sunny spring day. Regards, John and Jacqui”
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Simone recommends two lovely ‘Wildflower / Birdlife Walks.
Simone writes: “I have recently been on two local walks that have stunning wild flowers at the moment. I dressed up on the 1st walk for a spring celebration, one ‘didgeridoo’ asked if I was going to the Races 🤣. The Waratah walk is near the Leisure Centre with some amazing Waratahs on display at this time of the year. They are an Australian flower and a cultural symbol, ranging from stamps to the NSW state flag. This Waratah walk is in the ‘Ulladulla Wildflower Reserve’.
The other beautiful walk is at the ‘South Pacific Headland Reserve’ also known as the ‘South Pacific Heathland Reserve’. Its entry is off Dowling street Ulladulla. The flannel flowers are about to all bloom. Both are easy flat walks suitable for everyone. I think some swimmers may enjoy these. Stay safe. Cheers Simone”.
Ulladulla Wildlife Reserve, entry off Warden Street just up from the Leisure centre.
Citrus Catering – canapés: (L to R) 1) Yellow Fin Tuna, 2) Chipotle Crab Taco, 3) Caramelised Beetroot, Fetta, Walnut Tartlet and 4) Peking Duck Pancake. 10/10 for taste, variety and presentation. These canapes rank with the best I have ever previously enjoyed. They were amazing and we were able to enjoy them in the luxury of our own home.
Darryl or as he is affectionally known as Big D (Pic taken last week when the surf was up)
Email from Darryl: “This is a nice thing to see daily updates on swimmers stories and activities, it does help to keep us connected. These are certainly difficult times and very hard for a lot of us to catch up. It is nice running into people in the water, carpark, etc. I was out at golfie surfing the other day and it was like a board training session, there was Keith, Burto, Lewis (Lewy) and David, so funny but nice to see us getting out for some exercise in this beautiful town and environment, despite being in lock-down. Stay safe, Darryl.”
Background: Darryl’s parents migrated from Croatia in 1966 and settled in Melbourne. In their exuberance, baby Darryl arrived the following year. Schooling occurred in Melbourne and then later on the Gold Coast following the parents move north. Darryl’s career really began working at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast. Later, he saw advancement by a move to the Crown Casino in Melbourne, that was followed by another career move to the Hellenic (Greek) Club in the ACT where he met the love of his life, Michelle in 2004. (Without a doubt, Michelle’s inner beauty would rank with the loveliest ladies on this earth) He married this amazing lady in 2009 and hasn’t looked back. (As the old saying goes, behind each successful man is an amazing woman)
In 2011 they moved to Ulladulla with Darryl’s appointment as the CEO of the Ulladulla Ex Servo’s club, a prime supporter of the Mollymook Surf Club and the primary sponsor of the Mollymook Ocean Swim Classic, annually for over 12 years. Big D was a regular ocean swimmer with our group until he graduated to surf board rider with L plates. From lying face down on the board, then later to actually kneeling up which he maintained for a number of years. Recently he graduated to standing up! He loves the water, swimming with the gang when the surf is flat or on the board when there is a wave or almost a wave. Plus he loves staying connected and contributing where ever he can.
Today we focus on some of the people (of recent years) behind the annual Mollymook Ocean Swim Classic.
First we have Darryl who along with his employer, the Ex-Servo’s, they are the primary sponsor of the annual Mollymook Ocean Swim Classics.
We also have some of the most recent organisers of our ocean swim. A young Lewis Betts, who stepped in this year, May 2021 and in prior years, Tony Ireland.
And of course the local ocean swimmers are also, always heavily involved in the ocean swim, contributing and providing support in so many ways ; viz. Ross, Ben, Garry H., Don, John L., and many others along with numerous wives helping out on the day.
Kim’s birthday treat, her favourite Sydney swim – out and around Wedding Cake Island (which she managed to stand on) for her birthday swim.
Kim’s Birthday, I owe you all a bit of Birthday Cake
Kim writes from her lock-down area in Coogee: “I’m loving the updates and hearing what everyone is up to! Good to see you guys had some big surf lately. We did too! It was swell … hehe.
Big love to everyone at Mollymook! Who would have thought it would be so long between swims for me down there!
I’m ‘making do’ with some some beautiful morning swims at Maroubra and Coogee, which are thankfully within my 5km radius!
I know the Mollymook wonder women will understand my joy when I tell you, I finally had my magical dolphin experience… I swam with a pod of around 40 dolphins beside and below me for more than 100 metres and had tears of happiness when it was over!
I also managed to make it through the whole of winter without a wetsuit – but I’m not sure it would have been possible if I’d thrown in some Mollymook swims 🙂
I hope everyone is staying well and I can’t wait to swim with you all again.
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John H. 54th birthday today. Tracy made this amazing strawberry flavoured cake to share with the swimmers this morning.
Saturday like Friday, ocean swimming conditions were terrible after having a strong nor easterly wind blow all night. Just Sean and me were the only one’s who swam to ‘Flat Rock’. It was tough going, I noticed Sean swimming with me rather than way out in front. I ask why? Were you keeping an eye on me? He said yes. (Sean is about 20 years younger than me. As Tim commented later, that’s what it is all about, looking out for one another. I was very touched.)
Darryl wrote: In relation to the two attachments with yesterday’s post: “Very funny, nice poetry”
Dominic wrote: In relation to the post on ‘The Happiest Man on the Earth’. “Thanks – great stuff! Best wishes, Dominic”
Sunrise this morning looking over Blackwater Creek
Is anyone have trouble with their weight during lock-down? This morning I added walking to my early morning routine in addition to ocean swimming for morning exercise. I’m struggling with my weight.
It’s the weekend, locked down in your home. Maybe a little flat, maybe a little sick of these lock down periods when you must stay in your house other then for approved reasons to leave.
This past week Louise mentioned an inspirational book, titled ‘The Happiest man on earth‘. She had not read anything like it! She was so moved, and to move Louise in the manner she described would be a gigantic task under normal circumstances.
I was intrigued; having been a little ‘flat’ during the previous week with this ongoing ‘lock-down’, so I asked Louise would she mind loaning the book to me, it may help lift my spirits. My verdict, from a person who is not really into reading: like Louise, I couldn’t put it down, I read the entire book in about 3 to 4 hours. Absolutely inspirational? My daughter is now reading the book and my wife has put her name down to read it next. This week I went and bought two books, one for Jo W. and one for myself, as I had passed on Louise’s copy to Don. Its a new release presently available at the Ulladulla Book Shop and I’m sure most other book stores. (If not open due to COVID, you could order and have it delivered. Just ring the local book shop on 4454 4044 (Ulladulla book shop do local area, personalised deliveries)
In these times of uncertainty, this book has my highest recommendation, a MUST READ. (If you can’t get a copy to share with your family then see Louise, Jo or me for a loan copy)
Pic’s following will give you an introduction.
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