Mackay ARC hosts elite Australian swim team

The St Peter’s Western Swim Club, which includes 2016 Olympians Mitch Larkin and Jacob Hansford and current 400m World Champion Ariarne Titmus, are using the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex for a training camp through January.

According to team manager Maxine Seear, the swimmers who are in Mackay have just recently competed at the Queensland State Titles in December.

“Out of the group of 22 here, 16 took home gold medals,” Ms Seear said.

“In fact, many of them came home with multiple gold medals, with these 16 swimmers contributing to a total haul of 51 individual gold medals, along with several relay gold medals,” she said.

“Notably, Mollie OCallagan broke the Australian 16 years 100m freestyle record.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said it was tremendous to have the team making the most of our world-class aquatic facilities.

“This is the first national-level swim team we’ve hosted at the ARC, and their positive feedback so far has been music to our ears,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Ideally, this training camp will be the first of many to be hosted at the facility,” he said.

“The club will be holding open training sessions for the public to watch this Thursday, January 21, and next Thursday, January 28 – both at 4:30pm.”

Council will waive the $2 spectator fee to make both sessions free to attend.