A Bellyflop for the Win: Diana’s Most Enjoyable Swimming Adventures

Resthaven Western Community Services client Mrs Diana Simons (nee MacFarlane), 89, has taught swimming at just about every public swimming pool in South Australia – and all the beaches. She has swum in every state in Australia and even has a few records under her belt. But, it was a bellyflop in an aboveground pool at a business on Anzac Highway that gave her one of her greatest rewards – a swimming pool of her own.  

It was 1983 when Diana entered the bellyflopping competition at Barbecues Galore. Dressed as Shirley Temple, Diana sang a couple of lines from ‘On the Good Ship Lollipop’, stood on the board, and jumped in with a splash so large it even wet the judges. She won the competition, and after some bargaining, upgraded the 11-foot prize pool (“a fishpond” Diana laughs) to a 24-foot pool that was then installed at the family home.

‘We had it for more than 30 years,’ Diana says. ‘It was good fun.’

With her background in swimming and instructing, Diana was a strong candidate to take out the prize. A swimming instructor since 1963, Diana and her husband, Keith (Kit), were also founding members of the Adelaide Masters Swimming Club, a precursor to Masters Swimming South Australia.

‘There was a time when swimming really took over our lives,’ Diana says. ‘We made lifelong friends through swimming – and there were always parties and picnics to go to. It was a way of life.’

Jumping in

Growing up in Goodwood, Diana and her sister Mary (just 13 months younger) used to ride their bikes up to Maude Street to go swimming at the public pool.

‘We would swing out on the ropes and then do a rough doggy paddle back to the side,’ Diana says. ‘My mum taught us the basics.’

The girls attended Goodwood Primary School and then Unley Girls Technical High School. It was here that Diana had her first taste of swimming victory when she and her teammates won the Hazelgrove Shield – an interschool swimming trophy.

At the age of 16, Diana was working at the Shell Oil Company. At a company picnic, she entered and won the company’s swimming race.

‘I dived in and I swam diagonally across the pool, cutting off everyone else!’ Diana says. ‘But I won the race!’

She was named the Shell Company Swimmer and went on to compete at The Inter-Oil Company Swimming competitions.

‘A colleague of mine was a member of the Crystal Pool Swimming Club,’ Diana says. ‘She suggested I should join. It was the same club that Dawn Fraser was swimming at. Dawn won everything,’ Diana laughs. ‘But it was good to compete against her.’

Around this time, at the age of 18, Diana met Kit.

 

‘We had actually attended primary school together, but I didn’t really know him then,’ Diana says.

The pair met again at a dance at the Glenelg Town Hall.

‘We went out for supper a few times and one thing led to another,’ Diana says.

The pair were engaged on Diana’s 21^st birthday and married in 1958. Their daughter Janine was born 10 months later. A second child, Brenton was born in 1960 and then 11 years later (‘I got clucky,’ says Diana) a third child, Gregory, was born in 1971.

It was in 1963 that Diana began her work as a swimming instructor with the Education Department.

‘The prerequisite was the Bronze Medallion, so I gained my credentials and joined the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS),’ Diana says. ‘I taught people of all ages how to swim, as well as lifesaving skills and snorkelling. I also coached swimming squads.’ 

Later, Diana was also employed by TAFE to take prospective swimming teachers through an AustSwim course, and in conjunction with the Australian Union of Senior Swimmers International (AUSSI), she conducted three adult swimming courses. Later, Diana and her sister Mary became joint teachers of the Over 50s Senior Swim Group at Burnside’s George Bolton Swimming Centre.

‘I got a lot of satisfaction out of teaching swimming,’ Diana says. ‘I was doing a job I enjoyed, and I loved the water. There was also satisfaction in watching people learn to swim and gain confidence.’

Alongside instructing, Diana was getting back into the water to compete.

‘Kit was a natural athlete,’ Diana says. ‘He was a rower and a baseballer, but he could barely swim. I started going to training two or three times a week, and he came along to be part of it when he was about 50. In no time at all he was one of the best at Adelaide Masters!’

Diana and Kit embraced the club wholeheartedly, forming many great friendships and travelling with the group to National meets and competitions.

‘Breaststroke became my favourite stroke,’ Diana says. ‘I collected many medals as I advanced through different age groups as well as gaining medals and records in other events.’

Diana says that one standout in her career was achieving the Australian record in the 320+ age group (the combined age of those on the team) mixed medley relay at the Adelaide Nationals.

‘I was in my 60s, the youngest, so I did Butterfly,’ Diana says. ‘The rest were in their 70s and 80s – and we won!’

Another proud moment was when Diana won the 200-metre backstroke competition at Dunedin, New Zealand.

‘The others were team efforts, but this one was an individual effort, so I’m most proud of this,’ Diana says. 

Sadly, Kit died in 2019.

The Diana Simons Trophy

A long-distance ocean swimmer, Diana was a member of the Henley and Grange Swimming Club for many years, as well as being Club President, Secretary and Captain at different times. She is now a life member of the club.

For many years, Diana took part in the annual Henley to Grange Australian Day Jetty to Jetty swim. She last competed in this event at the age of 80, and now presents a trophy, named in her honour, to the oldest female swimmer who completes the 2.2km course.

Up until a couple of years ago, Diana was also still a member of Masters Swimming South Australia, volunteering as a marshal when swimming meets were held.

‘It was a good way for me to keep in touch with friends who were involved in other clubs too,’ Diana says. ‘Even in 2023, when I had stepped down, they were short of marshals one day, so they rang me to take part. It was lovely to be involved as a one-off.’

Diana says it is the group camaraderie that has kept her involved in swimming all these years.

‘Our friends were in the club, and they were all swimming, so we kept on swimming,’ Diana says. ‘I’ve had one knee replacement, and I need another, and I’ve been getting pain down my hip and through my leg, so I’m heading back to the pool to keep things moving and hopefully improve them. I only do about 800 metres now, and I do it in fits and starts with a combination of strokes, but I still enjoy it!

For those thinking of taking up swimming, Diana has this advice – enjoy it.

‘The water supports you, and sometimes you get that lovely, flowing feeling (and sometimes you feel like you’re sinking!),’ Diana says. ‘Enjoy the competition, and don’t take it too seriously.’

Diana shares her birth year with Resthaven – both are celebrating 90 years in 2025! We are honouring those turning 90 in our 90^th year with a series of articles showcasing their stories – building a picture of life in South Australia over the decades. You can find more 1935ers on the Resthaven website.  

Click here to find out more about Resthaven