This Wednesday more than 100 people took part in the annual combined swimming carnival for disability services in the Western region. “It is just a fun day for everyone,” said David Parker of Currajong Disability Services. Looking around at the smiling faces soaking up the atmosphere of the Parkes pool with the aroma of a sausage sizzle filling the air, we can see what he means. The 120 swimmers ventured from Forbes, Cowra, Mudgee, Parkes, Condobolin, Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo for the day. “We are so thrilled with the response we’ve had this year! We also have over 50 staff coming from different disability service providers around NSW, which is just fantastic,” Jodie Turner, swimming carnival organiser, wrote on the Currajong Disability Services website.
Participants took part in a variety of events, such as assisted and unassisted freestyle, relays and novelty events, over
the whole length of the pool or just half a length. Every participant received a medal for their effort with a trophy awarded to the winning team. The Currajong team from Parkes was defending its title, but had to share the trophy with Cowra as both teams finished joint first.
It was the fourth year in a row the event was held in Parkes, “people like travelling here and enjoy our pool,” said David. He said it used to take place in Cowra, until Parkes offered to host it. Swimming is one of the many activities
offered to people making use of disability services. Other activities offered to the 51 local clients of Currajong Disability Services are sewing, cooking, lawn bowls, tennis, dancing, drama, karaoke, mosaics and ten pin bowling.
They also have a secure paper-shredding business. The day finished on a high, with free swimming for everyone.