Coach and race secretary Lisa Baker said the event gives the club an opportunity to recognise the efforts put in both the kids and committee members.

The season also saw swim club participants vying for a place in the top four for most points acquired over the last few months.

“The kids train Wednesdays and then on Monday nights they do laps and times and that’s how we get the first, second and third places,” Ms Baker said.

“The awards tonight are based on times and attendance – so if they turn up Mondays and Wednesdays they get points and they get a point for each race that they race in.”

Ms Baker has only been involved in the club for two years but said she enjoyed her new role as race secretary. 

She said it’s important to teach kids how to swim well.

“I just think it’s important for them to learn to swim out here because we are surrounded by dams,” she said.

“Anywhere you walk you find a dam around here.

“I know I put my three kids in so I don’t have to worry about that … if they go walking and fall in I know they can swim.”

Former race secretary Melinda Reynolds agreed and said the club, which has been together for many decades, was an asset to the Emmaville community.

“I think it’s important because, as a small community, this is an asset that we have,” she said.

“It’s good to get the kids involved and get them doing something that is healthy and something that this area actually has and we can promote it.”

Ms Reynolds said the point system begins at the start of season around September.

“The very first race that they race in on the very first night we start is their base-line,” she said.

“So every time they swim and beat their time from the week before, they get a point.

“A lot of those points are based on if they have beaten their own times.”

Another highlight of the day was a visit from Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Steve Toms who stopped by to present the Shire Shield Award.

“All the kids who place in the point scoring go in a letter anonymously to Council and they [Council] pick who they think was the best improved in all their strokes,” Ms Reynolds said.

“We don’t know who they’re going to pick and it’s announced to the kids at the presentation.”

Ms Reynolds said Swimming Club is available to all children from school age starting from about five-years-old up until year 12.