SWH’s Stroke Team takes to the water

It’s a serious business, this whale boat racing. Seven international teams are even flying from the United States to contest Warrnambool’s soon-to-be-held national whale boat racing titles. But the US teams and the other 20 local teams entered had better not get too ahead of themselves. Who says a boatload of boys from South West Healthcare can’t steal their thunder?

They may be first-timers to the sport but what SWH’s contingent lacks in skill they make up for in planning. For starters, they’ve got:

• A (calm and patient) manager: social worker Larry Abrahams

• A (skilled) sweep: just-retired Linen Services worker Colin McDonald

• A boat (!)

• A boatload+ of rowers, including those pictured in the top photo: (from left) Environmental Services worker Corey O’Connor, Medical Services coordinator Peter Martin, Nursing Education clinical facilitator Ashley Zanker, stroke liaison nurse Patrick Groot, chief physiotherapist Bore Hoekstra and Colin McDonald – as well as Withdrawal & Support Service nurse Carl McMeel.

• A shirt (thanks to resident-cartoonist Bore)

• A name. It’s clever: The Stroke Team.

And then there’s the fan club. Feel free to join. So far it consists of nurse Adele Smith (who came up with their name) and the author of this story.

Needless to say, the day-to-day developments are providing loads of laughs – on the river and in the wards, afterwards – which is exactly why their non-rowing manager wanted to get a team up and running, or in this case, rowing.

‘It’s a great way to increase morale, fellowship and wellbeing’, says Larry. Things his Counselling & Support Services, and the organisation at large, are all for.

‘Whale boat racing is a really enjoyable team activity that is such a great equaliser.’

Come see for yourself: February 21 on the Hopkins River.