Tuesday 8 December 2009

Michael Klim gets behind a great swim for a great cause

Olympic swimming champion Michael Klim is headlining a new open water swim to be held in Melbourne on Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January 2010.

The Australian Unity Great Australia Day Swim is a 1.2 kilometre open water swim from the Middle Brighton Pier, around the Royal Brighton Yacht Club marina and breakwater, finishing inside the iconic Middle Brighton Baths.

Following the open water event, swimming legend Michael Klim, along with fellow Olympians including Australian Unity ambassadors Hayley Lewis and Marieke Guehrer, will participate in the Klim Swim Relay over a 400 metre circuit inside the Middle Brighton Baths. They will join corporate relay teams of five competing for the coveted Klim Swim Charity Trophy.

The inaugural event has been organised by the Rotary Club of Brighton, along with principal sponsor Australian Unity, to raise money for charities and community organisations providing support to disadvantaged children, including Variety and BayCISS.

“I’m really pleased to be involved with this fantastic event, which is supporting wonderful children’s charities,” Klim said.

“It will be a great family day, a new open water swim and a fantastic way for Melburnians to get into the bay for a great cause.”

Peter Sherman from Rotary International, Chairman of the Australian Unity Great Australia Day Swim, is excited to be celebrating Australia Day with such a worthwhile event.

“We have developed a strong association with the Australia Day Committee and we believe that the Australian Unity Great Australia Day Swim is going to become a major fixture on the annual Melbourne events calendar, getting bigger each year and raising more money for charity,” Mr Sherman said.

Kimina Lyall, Australian Unity’s Group Executive for Corporate Development, says that the event provides a fantastic opportunity for the whole family to celebrate together on Australia Day.

“Australian Unity has celebrated Australia Day since 1888 when one of our founding companies successfully lobbied for a national holiday to celebrate Australia. We also sponsor Swimming Australia, the Australian Swim Team and the Australian Unity Learn to Swim program,” Ms Lyall said.

“This, along with our community focus, reinforced our decision to support this event that we hope will enhance the wellbeing of the wider Melbourne community.”

For more information and entry into the events, visit: www.greataustraliadayswim.com.au

For media enquiries contact:

Abdi Noor, Head of Public Affairs & Communications on 0429 187 105 or anoor@australianunity.com.au

Anthony Marchesani – Big Dog Events on 0401 363 543

Peter Sherman – Rotary Club of Brighton on 0419 322 093

About Australian Unity

Australian Unity is a national healthcare, financial services and retirement living organisation providing services to more than 560,000 Australians, including some 325,000 members nationwide.