Joanne Melville joined the club as a 12 year old in 1982, along with her father, sister and two
brothers.
In 1985 Jo became involved in the club's Learn to Swim program and became the club's Chief Learn to
Swim Officer in 1989, a position she held for 13 years until stepping down in 2002. As Chief Learn
to Swim Officer, Joanne worked tirelessly organising the weekly lessons each season as part of NSW
Swimming's Learn-To-Swim-Free Campaign.
Not only did she organise the lessons, she also helped numerous members to gain their
qualifications as NSW Swimming Learn to Swim Instructors over the years.
Joanne's commitment to Learn to Swim and the club showed in her final two seasons as Chief Learn to
Swim Officer. Despite being unable to attend the club's races as regularly as she had in the past,
she stayed on in the position at the request of the club committee to train other members to take
over the position in the future.
Apart from her Learn to Swim role, for a number of years Joanne also acted as the club's marshal on
Saturday mornings. At this time, marshalling took place on
the piece of concrete that the large sun shelter has now been erected over at the start end of the
pool (where the old pace clock used to stand). This piece of concrete had a loose grate that swimmers liked to stand on and rock back and forth
while waiting to be marshalled, creating a very loud noise. A Saturday didn't go by without hearing
Joanne tell swimmers to "Get off that grate!".
Jo was the female Club Captain in 1985, 1987 & 1988 and became one of the club's youngest ever
Presidents when she was elected to the position as a 18 year old in 1989.
Married in 1993, Joanne Deshto now has 3 children, all boys.
| Club Captain |
1985, 1987, 1988 |
| President |
1989 |
| Chief Learn to Swim Officer |
1989 to 2002 |