SWIMMING NSW WARATAH AWARD - Barbara Kingsell

It is with great pride we are able to inform you that Life Member Barbara Kingsell was recently recognised for her long service and outstanding contribution to the sport by Swimming NSW, receiving the prestigious Waratah Award.

Barbara has been a valued member of Camden Amateur Swimming Club since 1982. Sitting amongst other general members in the crowd on a Monday night, the then Club President David Batros was doing the usual pre-commencement routine of calling for volunteers. Barbara grabbed her husband David and they set off for the finish line, to assist judging the order of race finishers and recording the placings. In Barbara’s words – “this is where it all began”.

Since that night, Barbara provided 43 years of continual service to CASC. At the time when Barbara decided to sit her Official Judge’s exam, she enjoyed it so much that over the few years that followed, she decided to sit all the Official’s exams to expand her knowledge of the sport and increase her capabilities for voluntary roles. In 1997, Barbara received her Referee credentials. Barbara was a pioneer in this field, being the first Female Referee in the history of CASC.

Barbara’s Official qualifications with Swimming NSW are as follows.

• Judge

• Starter

• Timekeeper

• Check Starter

• Recorder

• Referee

During the years when her children were swimming with the club, Barbara also spent time as the Club Secretary and Recorder. These committee roles are very time sensitive alone, yet Barbara still balanced them with her role as an Official at club nights.

Never one to sit on her hands, Barbara was part of the team that campaigned for Camden Pool to be heated. The campaign was successful, resulting in a grant from Council to fund the works. Barbara was also an integral part of the committee responsible for several other major works. One being the addition of the clubhouse awning, as well as the concrete apron surrounding it. This facilitated a covered marshalling area which is still utilised today. They were also responsible for purchasing anti-wave lane ropes in the Camden club colours of blue and white.

Despite her children having moved on from CASC a long time ago, Barbara still attended every club night on a Monday in summer and volunteered her time as an Official, usually in the role of Referee. To quote Barbara again, she “wouldn’t miss it for the World”. Without Barbara (and our other referees) it wouldn’t be possible for each of our Monday club nights to run as official meetings.

The level of service Barbara provided to the sport over a long period of time is something we at Camden are extremely grateful for, extremely proud of and thoroughly deserving of the Swimming NSW Waratah Award.

Congratulations Barbara and thank you for your service to CASC and the community.