Acknowledgements
Whitehorse Diving Club would like to acknowledge the following people for their outstanding contributions to the Club.
Doug Walton
Head Coach 1970s until his death in 2009
Sylvia RobertsonPresident and Club Contact for decades!
Mother of our current Olympian, Scott Robertson Rosemary McGinnesPresident since 2010
Committee member since ?? Masters Diver Mother of one of our senior divers, Lachlan McGinnes Sue CriganTreasurer since ??
Committee member since ?? Masters Diver Mother of one of our past divers, Tom Crigan Jen Del MastroPast President
Masters Diver Mother of two of our past divers, Lauren and Maddie Ringwood Diving Club CommitteePresidents
Administrators Treasurers Christian Brooker, Head Coach Committee Members |
Doug was the driving force behind Whitehorse Diving Club. Through his coaching, Doug has helped guide many young lives, empowering children, teens and adults. Thank you, Doug, for the many gifts you shared with all those who were fortunate enough to be under your guidance. More about Doug here.
Sylvia has been the glue that held the Club together for decades. She ensured that the Club ran efficiently, that entries were put in, accommodation booked, details looked after, correspondence taken care of - and everything else got done! Sylvia stepped away from the Club long after her son, Scott, moved north to the AIS then on to NSWIS. Upon Doug's death, Sylvia returned to the club in an advisory capacity and then, again, as President. She kept the Club going during the most traumatic time! She sourced a coach, returned to direct the Committee through the tough years to follow, and, with the help of a number of others, ensured that the Club survived when it could have easily folded. In 2010, Sylvia handed the Presidency over to the very capable Rosemary McGinnes. Sylvia's integrity and tenacity are something to be aspired to! Thank you, Sylvia, for your careful and calm planning through the good times and the tough times.
Rosemary came to the Club as the mother of a new diver, Lachlan. Over the years, she has contributed to the Club as an involved member, then as a Committee Member. In 2010, Rosemary succeeded Sylvia Robertson as Acting President, then was voted in as President at the 2011 AGM. Rosemary is one of the three people instrumental in keeping Whitehorse Diving Club alive after Doug's death. Without her wise and considered opinions, her ability to see forward, her strength, and her tenacity, the Club would definitely have folded. Thank you, Rosemary, for stepping up and being one of the people responsible for keeping our Club alive through the toughest of times!
Sue appeared at the Club as the mother of Tom Crigan, one of our Intermediate divers, who has since moved on to another sport. Sue took a position on the Committee, then took up the Treasurer's position in 2009? Sue is the third person who has been instrumental in keeping Whitehorse Diving Club alive after Doug's death in 2009. Her positivity, her conscientious approach to dealing with the difficult task of taking over the financial situation with absolutely no support, her continued vision of the future of the Club and her tenacity have been responsible for the Club remaining alive. Thank you, Sue, for keeping the faith and consistently supporting the Club on so many levels - and for managing a very difficult financial situation.
Jen was President at the time of Doug's death and was tasked with the heavy responsibility of directing the Club through the initial months of absolute shock. With the cornerstone of the Club suddenly gone, Jen's positive, personable and calm attitude and strength provided a directed pathway to lead the Club out of its mourning and into the next phase. Thank you, Jen, for your conscientious and unending support and direction.
A year after Doug's death, Whitehorse Diving Club suffered a crisis that could have seen its demise. Upon being approached with regard to a possible amalgamation, the Committee of Ringwood Diving Club felt it was imperative that the Eastern corridor of Melbourne continued to be represented by two clubs rather than one. To effect this, Ringwood offered to help with the management of Whitehorse until Whitehorse could regroup and again, become independently managed. Thank you, Ringwood Diving Club Committee and Coaches, for your utter graciousness and incredible generosity in a time of crisis. Whitehorse Diving Club has survived due to your invaluable assistance and is now looking to a positive future.
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