Julie Walsh has been living life poolside for as long as she can remember.
The Melton Swimming Club stalwart has been volunteering for 40 years, with her efforts recognised this month with a Swimming Victoria Volunteer of the Year award.
These days she’s club secretary and competitions officer, but she has held every executive position on the committee and has volunteered for the regional metro-west swimming district for about 18 years.
Ms Walsh continues to have a hand in most of the Melton club’s affairs, ranging from planning events to fundraising and anything else required to make the club run “as strong and smoothly as possible”.
She said she first took to swimming at the Maidstone club as a youngster.
“When the family moved to Melton, we were commuting back and forward to swim daily for training,” Ms Walsh said. “In 1978 a group of parents got together and decided to form a swimming club in Melton. My father was one of the coaches and he was also heavily involved on the first committee of the club.
“My whole family swam – four brothers and two sisters.”
Her vision is to continue developing the Melton club and “keep my father’s legacy going strong”.
“Being involved in this great club means a lot,” Ms Walsh said.
“I have had my two children swim for the club, but since my youngest retired from swimming 10 years ago, I stayed on to assist the running of the club.
“I now have the great pleasure of watching my two grandchildren swim for this wonderful club – so that’s four generations.”
