Member Profile – Therese Crollick
Thank you to Therese for her many years of dedicated service to MSQ.
Therese is a Life Member of MSQ, and has served as MSQ President from 2007-2011, then again in 2020. She was a National Delegate in 2003, 2007-2011, a member and chair of the National Membership Subcommittee 2003-2011, and was also on the National Board of Management from 2011-2017. Therese was also on the organising committee for:
- The Lismore Masters Games as Chairman and on Committee for ten years
- Pan Pacific Masters Games for 3 events with commitments over six years
- Queensland State Championships as an organising committee member for 4 Championships
- Masters Swimming National Championships 2009 and 2017, and
- Local Open Water Swimming events
How did you first become involved with swimming?
I first became “involved” with swimming at about 3 years old, there is a lovely photo of me in the water with my Mum at Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast, me in my frilly cossie and frilly sun hat a big smile on my face learning to kick and dog paddle in the lake there, my family had regular holidays for some years at Avoca so I was exposed to the “open water” scene at a young age and it was also where I learnt to body surf as well. I did have formal swimming lessons when I was about 6 at Parramatta pool in Sydney and joined my first swimming club and squad training at 7 when a new pool was built in my suburb and friends of my parents were instrumental in starting up the swimming club there and encouraged them to join me up – the rest is history.
What do you love about swimming?
The feel of the water and the wonderful people I meet in swim squads and at swim meets.
When did you first join Masters Swimming?
November 1984 I joined Summerland AUSSI Masters which was based at Alstonville pool and was a NSW club.
Most memorable swimming moment?
Lots of memorable moments hard to pick one but probably the Open Water swim Bronze medal at the World Masters Games in Auckland in 2017 – the water was freezing, I’d had to have treatment in the previous days for shoulder tendonitis which wasn’t 100% fixed but I did it and to come 3rd was just amazing.
Favourite events?
50 FLY, 50 BRS, 100 and 200 IM and any 25m events, 1.5km if it’s an open water event.
How often do you swim, and where?
4 -5 times per week: x3 with the junior/Masters squad at Trinity pool in Lismore, x1 at Alstonville pool with the adult squad and usually x1 ocean/surf swim at one of the Ballina beaches.
What motivates and inspires you?
Wanting to always improve motivates me and seeing older people achieving great things inspires me.
Have you had setbacks to overcome?
Yes, mainly shoulder injuries but knee ligament damage as well caused by snow skiing and squash.
Favourite things? Likes and dislikes?
Favourite things: a chilled glass of wine with some cheese and olives on a summers evening and travelling to new places anywhere in the world.
Likes: Reading, music – listening and playing – and massages.
Dislikes: Brussels sprouts, lambs fry and rude people.
What upcoming events are you swimming in?
Hopefully Pan Pacs and then Nationals next year.
Can you share a little about your family?
Just one brother who also swims and is a keen cyclist and of course my house companion Charlie who is a champion dog paddler but is now entering his twilight years so isn’t quite so active anymore.
Mum and Dad were both active – Dad cycled and liked swimming and bush-walking and Mum swam, played tennis and netball.
Your Career?
I am a retired Medical Scientist, my specialities were Haematology and Transfusion Medicine.
I now teach Learn-to-Swim at Trinity college pool in Lismore.
Other interesting/little-known facts about you?
I have won NSW State medals for Synchronised Swimming.
I play the clarinet and am a member of the Ballina Shire Concert Band.
I have been the NSW Chief Instructor and Chief Examiner for Royal Lifesaving Australia.
I was a member of the NSW State Royal Life Saving Team 3 times and Team Coach in 1983.
And something else not many people know is that I’m an historic car enthusiast and I own a 1974 MGB Roadster and it’s red – of course!
Philosophy on life? Favourite saying?
If you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your ability.
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of becoming a Masters swimmer?
Just Do It – wonderful way to motivate yourself to keep fit. You’ll meet great people and if you want an excuse to travel, this is it!
Therese and Tracy in Gwangju 
Therese at Rotary 
Marshaling in Cairns GBRMG19
