January 2009

In Profile – Bob Carlon

Bob Carlon is celebrating a milestone – his 80^th birthday!  So what better time to do his profile!

Mr Carlon has been a member of the Manly ASC for 47 years and is a life member of the club.

He was President for five years and Treasurer for 12. He was an Alderman on Manly Council in the 1970s.

He was a great swimmer – he even swam from Luna Park to Manly as part of the celebrations for the opening of the Sydney Opera House.

He is the father of Julie Johnson, who capably runs the distance swimming event and helps out every week in a big way. He was a champion diver.

This club has a proud tradition of teaching children how to swim. For almost 50 years Bob has assisted children as young as 3 and 4 years of age in learning how to  compete. He’s then watched them grow into adults, with children of their own who become members and he’s assisted once again.

The starting block can be a nervous place especially for the young competitors in the 15 metres. But with Bob’s kind words and gentle manner, he has sent off many unwilling swimmers only to welcome them back week after week to do it all again.

Even when he was convalescing from major surgery earlier this season, he came down to the pool each Saturday morning just to start the little swimmers in the weekly race. And he still swims in the distance event most weeks.

He is one of nature’s true gentlemen and we thank him for his work, love and dedication to Manly A.S.C.

Happy 80^th Birthday Bob!!!!!