day sixty-five - the big splash
Yesterday, with a gap between students, I was able to duck away to the local pool and get a 30 minute sample of The Big Splash - I’ll let them say what it’s all about.
On the first Wednesday of March, The Big Splash brings the people of Albury Wodonga together to mingle and make merry for a cause close to the community's heart.
Hosted at Albury Swim Centre, The Big Splash first started in 2014 as an event created by the Albury Tigers water polo club in memory of Mary Baker, a 15-year-old club member who tragically died in 2011. Mary’s family and friends are committed to ending the silence and stigma associated with suicide.
Today the event has become an annual and major fundraiser for mental health in the Albury Wodonga region. Competitors enter teams in relays of their choice and race to the hoopla of families and friends who gather (often in costume) to cheer on their team-mates and have a great time.
photo from The Big Splash by Justin Dallinger
It was a wonderful event, filled with fun, frivolity, and lots of silly costumes, but the best part was the sense of community and positivity there. Even with twice the annual mean rainfall dumping down throughout the day, people had still turned out in droves.
The organiser, Annette Baker even took the time to come over to have a chat which was lovely. Annette, founder of the Winter Solstice event in Albury, is an amazing and brave woman, who is an incredible advocate for mental health and breaking the stigma of suicide in our community.
(There’s a news article that tells part of her story linked below.)
Even got a photo taken with the legendary John Walker (thanks to photographer Justin Dallinger!)!
Much like this unorganised, ill-prepared project, I got onto The Big Splash too late, and didn’t organise a team to take part. And more’s the pity. In the little taste I got, it seemed like a large squad of kilted swimmers may fit right in…
Kilt of the day - Mackay Sport (and swimming) kilt
Link of the day - 'I had to become brave': how Annette Baker shone light on the darkness - Sydney Morning Herald, Sarah Berry, November 17, 2016
The Big Splash
https://www.facebook.com/AlburyWodongaBigSplash/
Soundtrack of the day - Bobby Darin "Splish Splash"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKCDc8Eg_-U
Soundtrack that may, or may not, but probably is “Scottish Soft Rock” - Wet Wet Wet - With A Little Help From My Friends
