The annual Townsville to Magnetic Island swim took place in perfect weather conditions on July 29.

The Port was well represented in the event held for the 52nd time by team members: Larry Hore, Manager Engineering; Mick Fitzpatrick,  Hydrographic Surveyor; Melinda Louden, Environmental Coordinator; and Scott McElligott, son of Board Director Ken McElligott.

In recognition of the Authority’s long association with, and major sponsorship of, the 2006 event, this year’s event was named the Townsville Port Authority Magnetic Island Swim. During March the Authority came to the aid of the stricken event by donating $6,000 to the the Townsville Magnetic Island Swim Association to run the swim. Until that time, the future of the event was tenuous, with fears of collapse and concerns about sponsorships.

As it has done in previous years, the Authority again donated the use of one of its vessels, the Arthur Titley, and the time of its employees to tow the swimmers in their cages. The Authority also stores the cages on its land which the swimmers use to race.

Mr. Bob James, President of the Townsville Magnetic Island Swim Association, expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship. “The commitment by the Port of Townsville to our swim is both a vote of confidence in Townsville’s world-unique community event and the basis for a secure future for the swim and for open-water swimming in North Queensland.”

On the day, Townsville Port Authority Director Ken McElligott was on hand support son Scott and the rest of the team. He also represented the Port at the presentation ceremony which took place at the Brewery on July 30.

Townsville Port Authority would like to offer its congratulations to all who took part!

From left: Authority team members Mick Fitzpatrick, Scott McElligott, Larry Hore and Melinda Louden at Picnic Bay (courtesy of Mick Fitzpatrick).

Larry Hore awaits his turn in the relay swim from Townsville to Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island, perched on the back of the cage (courtesy of Mick Fitzpatrick).

Townsville Port Authority Director Ken McElligott on the water supporting the TPA team (courtesy of Steve McGuire).