The 2023 Mount Gambier High School Swimming Carnival held recently marked the first whole school swimming carnival since 2020, due to the impact of COVID and the building of the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.

In another much anticipated occasion, Mount (red) were successful in winning the ‘P.M. Cutbush Shield’ after 22 long years, following a tight struggle with Gambier (yellow).

A mere five points separated the top two teams.

Lake (blue) finished third, with Tower (black) rounding out the day in fourth.

Warm weather greeted staff and students at the new venue, with students keen and eager to get involved.

Throughout the course of the day, students participated in four championship events (freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke) as well as a number of highly entertaining novelties, including tug-of-war, and pool noodle and boogie board relays.

The land-based event of Cornhole was very popular, with many students enjoying the fast paced competition of this new event.

The four Ironperson events were eagerly anticipated again this year and competitors gave it their all to complete the slightly shortened course due to the new layout of the venue.

Mount Gambier High School special sport coordinator Kerran Wingard said the number of students who continually participated in events regardless of the weather was extremely pleasing.

“A massive congratulations must go to all House Captains and Vice-Captains who worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure students made it to events on time and were achieving their best,” she said.