Nundah Swimming was the brainchild of Mr Merv Webster. For years he and other teachers had taken children to Sandgate on Friday afternoons for swimming lessons. On the opening of the school pool in 1956, owing to public subscription, where parents pledged themselves to pay a monthly amount over a period of two years, he conceived the idea of a swimming club.

The first Annual General Meeting of the fledging club was held on 30th August 1960. The Nundah State School Swimming Club was the first of its kind in Queensland and particularly in its early years was honoured by requests for assistance in the establishment of similar clubs in the metropolitan area.

Among the many persons who have contributed to the club over the years one who stands out is Mr Allan Gynther. Allan was instrumental in establishing the learn to swim classes on Saturday mornings and over the Christmas holidays. Under his guidance a film titled “lets swim” featuring the clubs swimmers was made by the education department for use in swimming education programs.

Several of the clubs swimmers have represented Australia and many more have represented Queensland or have competed at State titles.

The wonderful success of Nundah Swimming since its inception cannot be measured purely in terms of carnival wins or representations at top-level swims or the number of records broken or even times and cold statistics. Rather, it should be considered from the point of view of the benefits derived by thousands of children and parents during the past 50 plus years and of the friendships which have endured long after competition has ceased.

For the children, through their involvement they have learnt the spirit of competition, the discipline of hard work in training, teamwork, sportsmanship, dedication to the club and the ability to cope with success as well as defeat.

May there be thousands more like them in the years to come.