Hi. I’m Sandy and I’ve swum with Ruth for many years, as many of you know, as part of the Atlantis Masters Swimming Club, affectionately known as Atlantis Frogs, many of whom are here today. Many swimmers from other clubs are also here today, testimony to the regard for Ruth across the swimming community.
Like all Atlantis Frogs (and dare I say, masters swimmers generally), Ruth was a swimming tragic. She had to ‘get her gills wet’ regularly… in the pool or the sea.
But Ruth was more than that…
Atlantis was a big part of Ruth’s life, and she became an essential part of the Club and its unique culture, over the last two decades. Through her involvement in swimming, she touched the lives of many and made a lasting impression and an enduring legacy.
Ruth was part of the Club’s tapestry. She greeted relative ‘newbies’ (like Hai and Alice) with the same warmth and care as the ‘oldies’, like Allan and Laurie (I’m sure they won’t mind being referred to in that way)… whether she was standing by the side of the pool at the beginning of training (procrastinating about getting wet) with a smile for everyone as they passed, yacking in the change room afterwards, socialising over pizza/drinks or Saturday morning breakfasts.
And, at the same time, with seeming ease and amazing tolerance, Ruth made so many things happen around the Club – like arranging relay teams for interclub events, organising ocean swims and getting together an Atlantis team for the 24-hour MS Mighty Swim each year. And still managing to compete herself most of the time.
People have commented over past weeks that Ruth was the reason they chose to join Atlantis. And swimmers from other clubs have recognised her passing as a great loss to masters swimming generally.
Ruth got things done in a beautiful way. She was humble, capable, wise and caring…. And she had a way of making everyone feel included, even when we made it difficult and probably frustrating. We’d give her precious little to work off when organising the MS team for instance, and somehow each year, she’d turn it into a neat timetable with all timeslots and swimmers included… always with a smile.
The MS Swim to a large extent epitomises Ruth’s commitment, energy and achievements. Lee O’Connell (thanks Lee) provided some info about the MS Swim to share with you. Ruth started the fundraising swim back in 2006. It continues as an annual event and Ruth has played an integral role each year… awake for most of the 24 hrs, either swimming herself, counting laps or encouraging others. This event has so far raised over three-quarters of a million dollars for people living with MS in SA and NT… an amazing achievement.
Ruth epitomised the ‘Frog’ culture – and she was loved and respected by her fellow frogs. We are missing her terribly but her memory continues to guide us – from getting our stroke right, truly enjoying our swimming, supporting other frogs and saying ‘we can do that’ and making it happen… or simply living by the motto, ‘just keep swimming’.
One of our ‘oldie’ members, Jenny Bradley, had a lot of connection with Ruth over many years at Atlantis and as a nurse at RHA, visited her most days in recent weeks. Jenny was sad that she couldn’t be here today, and asked me to read the following tribute.
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From Jenny
A little over a week ago, we lost a truly lovely woman and a great friend.Only a few weeks ago Ruth called me to say she was in the RAH feeling unwell and that it was probably caused by some sort of cancer. Last week she died. The speed of her illness was a shock to all of us. It was a cruel blow for her and us.She didn’t get to have that last swim, see the ocean(even though we were planning an escape from the RAH) or say her goodbyes to everyone that she wanted. Ruth was an extraordinary person in life,and also amazing in the way she handled her prognosis. She welcomed many friends to her bedside and often comforted them. Her courage, her composure, dignity and strength were evident throughout.
Ruth joined Atlantis when she moved to Adelaide from Renmark in the late 90s and was told by her friend Robyn that Atlantis was the Masters club to join!! (of course – is there any other ?!?!) She initially came down for a few Interclubs and then when she moved to Adelaide she started training with us. Ruth was never one to sit back and watch others doing jobs around the Club. She was always helping out with anything that needed doing. She was President for nine years from 2007 to 2016, and Club Captain and Coaching Director up until now.
She won the Club’s prestigious John Fullston Trophy for ‘Best Club Person’three times. She also achieved many of her own personal swimming goals. She swam in a duo and a four-person relay to Rottnest Island (a 20km ocean swim off Perth), she regularly swam in Interclubs and State Cups. She was the main organiser of the MS Mighty Swim after the first gruellingevent in Mildura when there were only five in the team for the whole 24-hour event and she did over 10kms. She organised the Atlantis team this year for the MS swim and stayed at the pool for the entire event! (only a few short weeks ago).
At Atlantis she personified the values of our club; of fun, friendship and fitness. She, like many swimmers was always happy in the water even when we had a hard ‘Craig’training session. She was well respected and loved by many members of other clubs which has been demonstrated by the number of non-Atlantis swimmers grieving her loss.
Ruth was a woman of integrity with a huge heart. She judged no one, welcomed and nurtured new members and treated everyone with genuine care and respect. She had a ready smile for everyone.
As a club we are richer for having her as our valued member and friend. We miss her so much, and will remember her with much love and respect for ever.