Maroubra Swimming Club recently lost two (2) Life Members with the passing of Ian “Lou” Verrender and Wal (Wally) Williamson OAM.

Lou Verrender

Ian (Lou) Verrender passed away on 12^th January 2012. He was a founding member of Maroubra Swimming Club which was formed in 1961, the year Heffron Pool (now Des Renford Aquatic Centre) opened. The club was formed by members of Maroubra Surf Club who had been actively teaching young local boys to swim. Lou was the club captain which in those days meant the set up and running of club night and this was a position which he held for 11 years. Under the leadership of the founding members Maroubra grew to be one of the largest clubs in Australia within its first 5 years.

Every Friday night was club night and Lou was always in attendance. He was handicapper, timekeeper, starter or any other of the positions which needed doing on the night. He was a tireless fundraiser for the club and spent most Thursday evenings manning the chocolate wheel at the local shopping centre. He officiated at and helped run the Randwick District carnivals. He was made a Life Member in 1972. He continued to help out at club night until around 1980, a run of almost 20 years.

As a Life Member and Trustee of the club, he continued to take an active interest even when he no longer attended club nights. He would help out when asked by the committee of the day and always attended the AGM. In recent years he took pride in watching his grandchildren compete for Maroubra.

Lou had a passion for all sports, not just swimming. He was a NSW junior hockey representative and then a first grade player for Souths in the golden years of the late 40’s early 50’s. He was a 50 year member of Maroubra Surf Club. He supported his kids and cheered them on in swimming, rugby, netball and water polo and in more recent times weekends were spent watching grandkids compete in their various sports.

Lou is survived by his wife Mary and children Mark, Ian and Carmel. He will be sadly missed not only by his  family and friends, but by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.

Wal Williamson OAM

Wal (or Wally) joined Maroubra in 1976 and was President from 1987 to 1996 and 1999 to 2004. Wal was not only involved in swimming, he was active in many other sports and local community activities but it is safe to say swimming was the sport he and his wife Joan both loved.

Other positions held by Wal were

·         Club Handicapper, 1977-2004

·         Vice-President, 2004-2005

·         Club Captain, 1983-1985

·         Life Member 1986

·         Eastern Suburbs Delegate to Eastern Suburbs Swimming Association, 1980-2001

·         President, Eastern Suburbs Swimming Association, 2001-2003

Official positions held by Wal were:-

·         Accredited timekeeper, 1987

·         Marshall/Check Starter, 1996

·         Finish Judge, 2005

·         Starter, 2005

·         F.I.N.A. accredited Timekeeper, 11111987.

Wal officiated at Maroubra Club nights,  Eastern Suburbs, Metropolitan, State, Transplant Games, Disabled, Special Olympics, Randwick Council Swimming Carnivals, Bicentenary Games, Police Games, Multi-Disability Championships, Youth Olympic Festival, Speedo Sprint, R.S.L. State Swimming, Public School Zone Carnivals, A.I.F. National Titles, Maccabi Sports Carnivals, Winter Swimming National Titles and World Cup.

Probably one of the bleakest periods was when the then manager of the Heffron Park swimming complex, Terry Buck lost the contract for the running of the facility. The existence of the club was in some doubt as the new facility managers were initially not interested in having squad training and competitive swimming. Wal and a number of other Life Members took up the reins and kept the club running until membership numbers were sufficient to ensure the survival of the club.  

Wal was awarded an OAM in 2011 for his service to swimming and to the community of Maroubra.

Wal’s children Rodney, Gary, Brian and Elizabeth all swam for Maroubra. Elizabeth also conducted free learn-to-swim lessons for club members every Saturday morning for many years. 

Grandchildren of both Wal and Joan have or are swimming for the club.

Wal’s funeral was on Tuesday 21st Feb 2012.

Our sympathies and condolences go to Wal’s wife Joan and family.