2 Clients, pupils and business associates of Gullivers attended a gala celebration night to remember marking 50 years since Terry Gulliver started teaching the Gold Coast to swim. Guests walked the red carpet and for many it was a stroll down memory lane. There were families whose children were taught in the pool behind the now demolished Pacific Hotel, some from the first Gulliver Swim Academy in Benowa Road and others who trained in the half Olympic pool in Benowa. There was Judy Ward one of the first Swim teachers who proudly showed her Diploma from when she graduated the Gulliver Swim Teacher Training Course in the mid seventies. Darr Grant reminisced enthusiastically about the fun of Waterball, a game Terry invented that attracted 100 teams a week. A power point presentation highlighted the Gullivers journey and the ventures that helped it survive those early days at Coomera when there were more kangaroos than people. There was a sample menu from very popular Ladies lunches that Terry’s wife Lyn ran to help prop up the business in those early days. Displays of the numerous magazine features and newspaper articles highlighted the performances of young Gullivers pupils and their seemingly miraculous achievements. GULLIVERS 50 year Celebrations Lyn & Terry Gulliver with Lara cutting the 50 Year Celebration Cake Pic Right: State Member Theodore Mark Boothman congratulates Terry Gulliver on 50 years of Gullivers Swim Schools Pic Left: Rod Young, Channel 9 GC and Darr Grant discussing Water Ball General manager Cam McKay and some of the Gullivers team Host Lara had the assembly in stitches with hilarious anecdotes of her time with Gullivers over the past 27 years. State member for Theodore Mark Boothman attended and congratulated Terry on his wonderful contribution to the community. Former premier Rob Borbidge and Division 13 councillor Donna Gates were late no shows due to personal matters but contributed messages of support. Key members of the 45 strong staff who make Gullivers the success it is today attended and were given the accolades they well deserved. The four Gullivers Legends who have been with the company for between 11 and 27 years were honoured for their work with the more than 1000 pupils who attend swim lessons every week. Former directors of the Out of Hours School Age Care programme marvelled at the growth in the programme that now services almost 250 pupils a day . The event was not just a celebration of the past, but a testament to a thriving future. With a passionate team, loyal families and a proud history of excellence, Gullivers remains a shining example of how commitment and community spirit can make waves for generations to come.
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