Harry Vella and his family joined our club when it was formed in 1968.
Harry, along with his wife Nan, and Jim Earl, were the club's first coaches. They ran a free service for
kids that could not pay for coaching, with both morning and afternoon sessions.
Harry also started the club's Free Learn to Swim program which the club's kids worked at, teaching every Saturday
morning after club races. Hundreds of kids used to turn up on Saturday morning for the Learn to Swim.
Once the kids progressed from Learn to Swim, they then joined Harry and Jim for coaching.
Harry showed a great deal of commitment to the club and the swimmers by providing these free services.
The free club coaching was run in parrallel with paid coaching run by Alex and Eva Bory which many club
members participated in.
The free coaching used 4 lanes while the Borys used 2 lanes, leaving 2 available for
the public.
Harry was the club President from 1971 to 1978 and was the club's first Life Member.
He and his family moved to the Central Coast in about 1979.
As the club's first Life Member, Harry was given the honour of cutting the cake at the club's 40th Anniversary Dinner on 28th March, 2009.
| Club Coach |
1968 to 1979 |
| Learn to Swim Coordinator |
1969 to 1974 |
| President |
1971 to 1978 |