A BOONAH swim coach with dreams to coach champion athletes will lap up inspiration from the best in the pool after securing a Commonwealth grant to attend a national swim teachers’ conference.
Scenic Rim Aqua Fitness Centre head coach Bez Berry will attend the Australian Swim Teachers and Coaches Association conference through a $4308 grant from the federal government.
Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz congratulated Mr Berry, who is among volunteers from 42 groups in the Fassifern and Lockyer Valley to share in $172,892 under the Volunteer Grants program.
Mr Berry, 68, said attending the conference would be a boost for not just him but also his fellow volunteers and clients at the Scenic Rim Aqua Fitness Centre.
“Hearing from coaches and teachers from the best programs and swim schools in the world will reinvigorate my ideas and enthusiasm, and I’ll bring back that knowledge and expertise to help build my team,” he said.
“I’ve got a vision for our swim school to be the best. Every swim coach wants to see the kids he coaches develop into champion athletes and, while every child can’t be an Olympic champion, they can accomplish things they never thought they could and develop their self-esteem.”
Mr Buchholz thanked Mr Berry and all Fassifern and Lockyer Valley volunteers for their work in the community.
“So many of our community organisations rely on the goodwill and charity of volunteers like Bez Berry, and I’m so glad we as a government can help boost the capacity of our volunteers through these grants,” he said.
“The value of volunteers in the community is immeasurable – they build community spirit and they put in the time and the effort to provide services to their fellow community members, and I deeply thank them for their generosity.”
In the Fassifern funding will also go to the Boonah and District Cultural Foundation, Boonah Rodeo Association, Broken Paddle Canoe Club, Fassifern Community Men’s Shed, Fassifern Cricket Association, Fassifern District Historical Society, Fassifern Ladies Vigoro Association, Fassifern Netball Association, Boonah Guides, Harrisville Primary P&C, Boonah Scouts and Mt Alford School of Arts.
In the Lockyer Valley, funding will go to the Blenheim Primary P&C, Blenheim Public Hall Association, Celtic Historians Association (Helidon), Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Field Days Association (Gatton), Cultural Star Gazers (Gatton), Forest Hill Christmas Festivities, Forest Hill SES Social Club, Friends of Lake Apex (Gatton), Fun Mums 4 Happy Kids (Helidon), Gatton Meals on Wheels, Laidley Branch Little Athletics, Laidley Camera Club, Laidley District Historical Society, Laidley Golf Club, Laidley High School P&C, Laidley Junior Rugby League Club, Lockyer Valley Community Activities Shed, Lockyer Valley Landcare, Lockyer Valley Netball Association, Lowood Grove Cricket Club, Gatton Scout Group, Glenore Grove Scout Group, Mount Whitestone P&C, Mulgowie Public Hall Association, Sandy Creek Enviro Centre (Grantham), South East Queensland Junior Astronomers (Iredale), Tabletop Junior Art and Craft Club (Helidon), UQ Gatton Rugby Union Club and Zing 4 Families (Grantham).
