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MSA Life Membership


Masters Swimming Australia has honoured a number of volunteer members who have contributed to the management of the organisation since its inception in 1975.

The person's contribution must be of sustained excellence to the furtherance of the Association's ideals and each and everyone of them have been instrumental in the development of this great organisation.

 
YearNameStateAwardsPhoto's
1985Gary Stutsel OAMNSW* Life Member MSA 1985
* Life Member MSNSW
* Honoree ISMHOF
* Australian Sports Medal, 2000
* Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 1987
1989Glenys McDonald AMWA* Life Member MSA 1989
* Australian Sports Medal, 2000
* Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 2001
1991Peter Gillett (dec)SA* Life Member MSA 1991
* Australian Sports Medal, 2000
1999Kay Cox OAMWA* Life Member MSA 1999
* Life Member MSWA 1983
* Life Member Carine MSWA 2020
* AUSSI Coach of the Year 1990
* Eunice Gill Award for services to coaching 1993
* Official of the Year, 1996, 2009
* Australian Sports Medal, 2000
* Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 2012
2002Ivan WingateWA* Life Member MSA 2002
* Australian Sports Medal, 2000
2005Darryl HawkesSA* Life Member MSA 2005
* Life Member MSSA 1999
* Australian Sports Medal, 2000
2006Pauline Samson OAMTAS* Life Member MSA 2006
* Life Member MSTas
* Australian Sports Medal 2000
* Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 2021
2006Mary SweeneyQLD* Life Member MSA 2006
* Life Member MSQ
* 10 Years Continuous Service MSA 2005
* Australian Sports Medal 2000
2007David CumminsWA* Life Member MSA 2007
* 10 Years Continuous Service MSA 2005
* Australian Centenary Medal 2003
* Australian Sports Medal 2000
2011John PughTAS* Life Member MSA 2011
2016Gerry Tucker OAMVIC* Life Member MSA 2016
* Life Member Malvern Marlins MSV 2007
* Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 2024
2020John PollockNT* Life Member MSA 2020
2024Jane NoakeNSW* Life Member MSA 2024
* Life Member MSNSW 2010
* Gary Stutsel Award 1999
* MSNSW Official of the Year 2005,2008,2009
* Life Member Seaside Pirates 2017

Volunteer of the Year

Masters Swimming Australia (MSA) has identified that there are many members who make wonderful contributions to Masters Swimming in Australia at club, state, national and/or international levels. In December 2016, the then Branch Delegates (now State) agreed to establish a new award to recognise and reward an individual who has been an outstanding volunteer at the National level. This new award is for the National level only. Nominations are welcome from Branches and the NBM who wish to recognise a member who has made a valuable contribution to our sport at the national level in any given year. This could have been as a National Championship organising committee member, National Committee Chairperson or member, National Board member, National Director, National Delegate, etc. The award recipient will be selected by the National Board of Management and be presented with their award at the annual National Championships Presentation Function. The MSA Volunteer of the Year will not be selected from State award winners. The MSA Volunteer of the Year does not have to be a member of MSA.
YearNameAccomplishments
2024Phil BeamesPhil, a member of Atlantis Masters, has been a significant contributor to the successful
running of swim meets and OW swims in his home state of South Australia and Nationally
over many years, and the continued development of officiating. In 2024, due to the
unfortunate illness of the NT Referee, late notice Phil also stepped into the Meet Referee
role at the 2024 MSA National Championships in Darwin to ensure the conduct of the event
was maintained. On the administrative front, as a member of the Technical Committee
for 15 years, including as Chair for 9 years, Phil has selflessly overseen several updates to MSA Swimming Rules
and General Rules (sometimes despite challenging time constraints), along with sound advice on officiating
matters and also long term training and mentoring of our officials team. Due to the change in Constitution and
By-Laws, at the end of 2024 Phil stepped away from the MSATechnical Committee. However, his prodigious
contribution to MSA, officiating and the national masters swimming cause at large has been invaluable.
2023Phil TyrellPhil was the Chair of Organising Committee and Meet Director for the 2023 Masters Swimming Australia National Championships. There is no doubt that the organisers – led by Philip Tyrell as Committee Chair and Meet Director - put together an event that ran smoothly, was swimmer-friendly, provided excellent competition in a quality venue, with a healthy mix of rivalry and camaraderie.
The success of the event was due largely to the meticulous planning undertaken.

In addition, during 2023, Philip made important contributions to two National sub-committees. His efforts and involvement have been recognised by the Chairs of those two committees – Di Coxon-Ellis and Dr Shayne Baker with testimonials supporting his nomination.
2022Kim TylerKim, a member of the Freemantle Masters in WA is the winner of the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award. Kim is a qualified Masters Swimming Club Coach is a MSWA and National Coach Educator and member of the National Coaching Committee and her constant support in 2022 to evolve and monitor the MSA Online Coaching Course as a National asset is felt across the country with over 400 coaches registering online since its launch in March 2021.
2021Andrea McNeil (OAM)Andrea from the Malvern Marlins, has been an extraordinary MSA Board member and Finance Director during 2021, providing various financial reports to the monthly NBM meetings. Andrea also provided additional support to the National Office, whether sourcing grant opportunities, sharing news articles or calling for a chat, Andrea was always in contact especially during the difficult times of lockdown in Victoria.

Andrea has been a valued liaison between the NCC and NBM since taking on the role as an observer on the NCC to assist with better communication throughout the organisation.
2020Pauline Samson (OAM)Pauline from Talays, is a MSA Life Member and the National Recorder. During 2020, Pauline worked on, and finished, updating, organising and correcting records in the National results portal. This was a herculean effort.

She has since turned her eye for detail on updating all the world records in the records/results portal since the Fina Masters website revamp meant the historical Masters World Records have not been available for viewing. This impacted MSA’s ability to import the current records into our records/results portal as the link to do this no longer existed.
2019Not Awarded
2018Mark HeppleMark, from Hills AUSSI (MSNSW) went above and well beyond the call of duty over many days, weeks and months in guiding the MSA Administration teams from each of our Branches to assist them with the creation our new National and Branch websites.

His patience, informative help sheets, persuasive techniques and above all good humour enabled us to complete the majority of the new websites in 2018. He often spotted and sourced solutions to any problems before we even knew we had them. He was fantastic, caring and nothing was too hard.

Well done Mark.
2017Bruce AllenderBruce, from the Malvern Marlins (MSV) is a champion for masters swimming coaches and won the inaugural MSA 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award.

During 2017 as Chair of the National Coaching Committee, Bruce presented reports to the MSA Board meeting, attending in person the 2017 MSA Spring General Meeting to present the NCC Report, he successfully petitioned for 2018 to be the Year of the Coach – to promote the role of coaches in the Club network, and for financial support from MSA for training of Club Coaches.

He also coordinated the updates of the Club Coaching course in 2017 and the By Laws that pertain to the NCC. Bruce assesses Club Coach applications and if required tutors prospective Coaches through the process for accreditation.
Bruce received a Meritorious Service award from MSA in 2015 and MSV in 2017.
Congratulations Bruce!
COACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD (in)
In 2023 Masters Swimming Australia and the National Coaching Committee introduced a new award category, the Coaching Excellence Awards which are intended to recognise coaches at the national level who demonstrate excellence in delivering positive outcomes for Masters swimmers.
In the fsecond year of this Award the National Office received 5 Individual nominations. We thank the members of the NCC for their fair and thorough adjudication. We are excited to announce that we have 2 outstanding recipients of the Coaching Excellence Award in 2024 Congratulations to:
Cheryl Chambers (SA) - Phoenix Masters - Cheryl is a volunteer Head Coach and co-founding member of Phoenix Masters, a club that started during Covid-19 in 2020 and is based in SA. Phoenix has attracted over 65 members within its first few years and is regularly successful at MSSA swim meets and OWS and this can be attributed to the dedication Cheryl has to the club and its members. One of Cheryl’s favourite success stories as a coach is the transition of a very weak swimmer to one of the Club’s strongest through continued attendance at Club training. Cheryl runs 6 week stroke workshops and ran a successful Couch to 2k four week program utilising a grant from the SA Government. She assists individual swimmers with injuries and in recovery or permanent restrictions of movement – shoulders in particular. The club will be forced to swim one of its weekly sessions outdoors for all of 2025, including winter and Cheryl has made it a challenge to attend and has added an incentive of supporting a cancer charity (something very pertinent to the members at present). Congratulations Cheryl and thank you for your contribution to your Club and Masters Swimming.
Gaby Donnelly - Cairns Mudcrabs (QLD) Gaby has been Head Coach of Cairns Mudcrabs for longer than most people remember despite being one of the club’s youngest members. Gaby is actively involved in all aspects of the club, including Meet Coordinator for the pool meet in 2024 (first once since 2019), a committee member, running social swims at Lake Barrine, assisting with social media and being an all-round volunteer. Covid-19 was devastating to the Mudcrabs Club, with membership plummeting to only a few members. In 2023 the club did not have enough interest to be affiliated with MSA / MSQ. However, Gaby saw the potential and the need to rebuild the club. Gaby developed a program to meet the needs of current swimmers, but more importantly to help attract new members. Gaby is well known for her “tough” sessions that push and challenge swimmers. Often extending swimmers out of their comfort zones, including faster turnaround times, shorter breaks and longer distances. Also encouraging them to try new drills and skills, including those they “don’t like”, for example butterfly or hypoxic sets. Swimmers have been observed to “have a go” and then report “it wasn’t so bad”. It was clear to the members of the NCC that Gaby has shown excellence in many aspects of her coaching and we congratulate her for her dedication to her club.
 
2023 Recipients  
Kevin Duffy (SA) – Henley Beach Masters Swimming Club Kevin has provided a quality program for over 10 years catering for all levels at Henly club in a positive and inclusive environment. He has demonstrated technical expertise in his coaching and promoted swimmers’ health and well-being. He is innovative – filming swimmers and using IT equipment such as GoPro/phone video stroke correction and Aquanex to enhance swimmers’ experiences.
Donna Gadsby (VIC) – Mornington Peninsular Masters Swimming Club Donna is passionate and dedicated. Innovative in enhancing coaching at the Mornington club – establishing monthly stroke improvement clinics and using video filming to improve swimmers. She has also led Coach development through running workshops for another club – the Malvern MarlinsShe has developed her coaching knowledge through attending national and state conferences and clinics and has been involved in the wider swimming community promoting the values of swimming as the Victorian representative for the Alliance Learn to swim program.
Neroli Nixon (VIC) – Doncaster Dolphins Masters Swimming Club Neroli is to be commended for her ability to lead in promotion of Master swimmer through the swim for life program and her promotion of the values of inclusivity, wellness and respect. She is also commended for mentoring coaches to gain qualification.

Coach of the Year



Until 2023 the MSA Coach of the Year Award provided the opportunity for members to recognise the very valuable contribution that coaching makes to Masters Swimming. This Award was announced at the MSA National Championship Presentation Dinner each year, with the winner receiving a trophy in recognition of their achievement. The winner is also noted at the ASCTA National Conference.

In 2023 Masters Swimming Australia and the National Coaching Committee introduced a new award category, the Coaching Excellence Awards which are intended to recognise coaches at the national level who demonstrate excellence in delivering positive outcomes for Masters swimmers.

Year Coach of the Year Masters Club
2022 Kerry-Anne Michels Blacktown Masters (NSW)
2021 Eleanor Parsons Claremont Masters (WA)
2020 Greg Gourley Tuggeranong (NSW)
2019 Greg Gourley Tuggeranong (NSW)
2018 Greg Lewin Ryde AUSSI (NSW)
2017 Peter Johnston Merrylands (NSW)
2016 Sari Galsworthy Fremantle Finns  (WA)
2015 Katya Anderson Superfins (WA)
2014 Anne Smyth Tuggeranong (NSW)
2013 Peter Johnston Merrylands (NSW )
2012 Brenton Ford Powerpoints (VIC)
2011 Danny Crowe Wett Ones (NSW)
2010 Francis Godden Doncaster Dolphins (VIC)
2009 Vicky Watson Ryde AUSSI Masters (NSW)
2008 Patrick Devine Malvern Marlins (VIC)
2007 Francis Godden Doncaster Dolphins (VIC)
2006 not awarded
2005 Nicole Badani Armadale (WA)
2004 Louise Stovin-Bradford Seaside Pirates (NSW)
2003 Caryn Kiellor West Coast (WA)
2002 Vanessa Smith Wett Ones (NSW)
2001 Jeff Price Seaside Pirates (NSW)
2000 Louise Stovin-Bradford Seaside Pirates (NSW)
1999 Rod Porteous Gladstone (QLD)
1998 Alina Graham NW United Sharx (QLD)
1997 Rod Porteous Gladstone (QLD)
1996 Peter Jackson Warringah (NSW)
1995 Susette Pow Osborne Park (WA)
1994 Elly Fleig Adelaide Masters (SA)
1993 Ed Peters Leeming (WA)
1992 Neroli Nixon Doncaster Dolphins (VIC)
1991 Anita Killmier Powerpoints (VIC)
1990 Anita Killmier Powerpoints (VIC)
1989 Kay Cox Carine (WA)

Official of the Year
This award provides the opportunity for members to recognise the very valuable contribution that Officials make to Masters Swimming. Masters Swimming Australia announces the Official of the Year winner at the National Championship Presentation Dinner each year, with the winner receiving a trophy in recognition of their achievement.
Congratulations to Cameron Jonaes for being awarded the MSA 2024 OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Cameron Jones – Masters Swimming NSW Cameron, a member of Warringah Masters has been an accredited Masters Swimming Technical Official in various roles, and a Masters Swimming member, for many years including throughout 2024. Most importantly, Cameron became a qualified Referee in 2024. Performing all the necessary hard work and volunteer hours in becoming a Referee is not only a wonderful achievement in itself, but also of great importance to an organisation which needs more people to be a Referee, and particularly someone as young as Cameron. Cameron fosters a community spirit, when he attends all carnivals throughout the year. He is easy to talk to, shares his knowledge frequently and is often making himself available to take on additional duties if we need him to. As well as qualifying as a Referee, Cameron made an outstanding contribution as an official in 2024, officiating in various positions at 3 of the 4 NSW Championship Meets and 6 BPS meets, for one of which he was the Trainee Chief Referee and another (NWG) he was the Chief Referee. Cameron also managed to find time to swim at multiple carnivals 2024 and was (once again) the Age Champion in his age group.
Year Official of the Year Branch
2023 Ray Brien TAS
2022 Di Partridge NSW
2021 Lynne Duncan WA
2020 Not Awarded
2019 Neil Mitchell VIC
2018 Sue Pow WA
2017 Pamela Walter WA
2016 Phillip Beames SA
2015 Ken Phillips WA
2014 Ron Gray WA
2013 Jodie Burke NSW
2012 Diane Partridge NSW
2011 Karen Patrick QLD
2010 Noel Partridge NSW
2009 Deryn Thomas VIC
2008 Kay Cox WA
2007 Sue Johnstone NSW
2006 Peter Maloney WA
2005 Jane Noake NSW
2004 Ken Liddy QLD
2003 not awarded
2002 not awarded
2001 not awarded
2000 Stan Pearson QLD
1999 not awarded
1998 Ivan Wingate SA
1997 Robin Sweeney QLD
1996 Kay Cox WA
1995 Pauline Samson TAS

National Championship Awards

Founder's Cup

Awarded to the National Champion Club with the highest point score at the conclusion of the National Championships. The original trophy was donated by Frank Sykes but when it was damaged it was replaced in 1982 by Mary Connolly (National Treasurer 1976-84) to commemorate Jack Brownjohn's contribution to establish Masters Swimming in Australia.
  • 2024 Darwin Stingers (NT)

Runners Up Trophy

Awarded to the club with the second highest point score at the conclusion of the National Championships. The original trophy was donated by A.C.T. A.U.S.S.I. and replaced in 2005.
  • 2024 Claremont Masters (WA)

Visitor's Trophy

The Visitors Trophy is awarded to the club with highest point score at the conclusion of the National Championships that is a member of a Branch other than the Host Branch. Up to the 2005 National Swim, the award was given to the top scoring Club whose regular swim venue is more than 100km from the National Championships venue by the most direct road route. From the 2006 National Swim onwards the award has been given to the top scoring visitors club, i.e. the club that is a member of a Branch other than the Host Branch. The original trophy was donated by St. Leonard's Travel.
  • 2024 Blacktown Masters (NSW)

President's Trophy

New in 2014, the Presidents Trophy is for Clubs with 21-50 members. Rewards performance & participation. Number of points gained at the meet divided by membership.
  • 2024 TSA Masters (QLD)

Life Member's Trophy

New in 2014, the Life Members Trophy is for Clubs with 5-20 members. Rewards performance & participation. No of points gained at the Meet divided by membership at end of previous year.
  • 2024 Gympie Goldfins (QLD)

Swimmer of the Meet - Male

The Vorgee Male Swimmer of the Meet Trophy is awarded to the swimmer with the highest points at the conclusion of the National Championships
  • 2024 Tony Goodwin (Manly Masters)

Swimmer of the Meet - Female

The Vorgee female Swimmer of the Meet Trophy is awarded to the swimmer with the highest points at the conclusion of the National Championships
  •  2024 Jeanette Brits (Manly Masters)

National Heart Foundation Trophy

The National Heart Foundation Trophy was introduced by the ACT Branch for their first National Swim in 1985 in recognition of the Heart Foundation’s support for the office services they gave to the Branch. The National Heart Foundation Trophy is awarded by the host Branch to a National swim participant who has shown steady progress over the past 12 months, diligent attendance at training sessions and an interest in helping others improve their fitness. discontinued in 2014
Masters Swimmer of the Year is for the swimmer gaining the highest number of points over a calendar year in competition in FINA recognised meets, with the points to be the sum of those for the best five swims, calculated using the current FINA points system.

Year

Name
2024 Clary Munns
During 2024 Clary Munns from Blacktown City, NSW was inducted into the Masters International Hall of Swimming Fame (MIHOSF) as a 2023 Inductee for Masters Swimming. Clary becomes the fourth Australian swimmer to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Jenny Whitely (2013), Pam Hutchings (2014) and Margaret Cunningham (2016). Clary first became a Masters swimmer in 1988 as a 44 year old, when she joined Blacktown City Masters. One of Clary’s first major meets was the FINA (now World Aquatics) World Masters Championships held in Brisbane in 1988, and she has continued to succeed since then. At the time of her selection into the MIHOSF, early 2023, she had set eight long course and 25 short course World Aquatics Masters world records in the backstroke, butterfly and I.M events, since 1988 with 13 world records in 2019 alone. Remarkably, Clary has done all of this without having to leave Australia, earning all of her 1297 world points by swimming (and breaking world records) locally. Clary is a great ambassador for Blacktown City at the state, national and world levels, and is proof that age is no barrier to sporting success. Congratulations Clary!
2023 Tony Goodwin
This is the 3rd time Tony has won the Masters Swimmer of the Year and is his second year in a row. Tony broke 5 Individual World Aquatics World Records in 2023 – 2 in Australia and 3 over in Japan at the World Aquatics Masters Championships. Tony also broke National Records.
2022 Tony Goodwin
The Masters Swimmer of 2022 winner is Tony Goodwin from Manly Masters Swimming Club in NSW. Tony’s determination and dedication to swimming was outstanding in 2022 winning 9 FINA World Records and 20 National Records.
2021 John Cocks
Coming from Victoria in a year impacted again by Covid, John’s determination and dedication to swimming was outstanding winning 4 Fina World Records competing at Championships held in 2 different Branches when travelling was restricted.
2019 Clary Munns
In 2019 Clary won an amazing 14 Fina World Records.  Clary is constantly seen on pool deck giving tips to other swimmers and encouraging their swims. It is always special for a Masters swimmer to receive encouragement from one of our World Record holders let alone a multiple world record holder with Clary's history in the sport.
2018 Jenny Whiteley
In 2018 Jenny broke an incredible 11 Fina World Records, swam in all 62 E-1000 swims and broke nearly 40 National Records.
   
2017 Tony Goodwin
Tony (Manly Masters) broke an amazing 9 Fina World Records in 2017, as well as 30 National Records.  At the 2017 FINA Masters World Championships in Budapest, he claimed gold in the 200m breaststroke, silver in the 100m breaststroke, 50 m Butterfly and 200 m individual medley and bronze in the 50 m breaststroke.
   
2016 Clary Munns
Clary Munns (Blacktown) - more details to come
 

 

 

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