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New skills on show at comp

Taylar AmoniniNorth West Telegraph

A week of swimming lessons and coach education culminated in a water battle of the ages at the inaugural Ngurra Kujungka Western Communities Swimming Carnival.

Warralong, Marble Bar and Nullagine schools recently completed a week of activities learning new aquatic skills, thanks to Ngurra Kujungka.

More than 100 children and youth from the three communities swarmed on the Marble Bar pool for the swimming carnival, with Sharonette Tom from the Warralong Community becoming the first fully qualified Martu swimming teacher.

Children competed in everything from noodle challenges for the little ones to a lightening fast 25m freestyle sprint for the older children.

Separated by a mere three points in the championship battle, Marble Bar School finished on top, followed closely by Warralong, then Nullagine.

While a lightening storm brought an abrupt halt to the day, it couldn’t put a dampener on the enjoyment of the day.

Nullagine School principal Greg Neo said the successful swimming carnival bode well for future competitions.

“This was an amazing day, we will be back next year for another swimming carnival,” he said. In thanking all participants for their contributions to the inaugural carnival’s success, Ngurra Kujungka’s indigenous sports development officer Callan Hatchman paid tribute to Ngurra Kujungka’s foundation and major sponsor Newcrest Mining Ltd, and to supporting sponsors the Department of Sport and Recreation, AustSwim, the Shire of East Pilbara, and to school principals, teachers and recreation officers.

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