Swimming buoys Arthur's loss
Thu 24 May 2007
Renae Dyer, Journalism
Arthur Evans may be 93-years-old but he’s more active than most 20-year-olds. The Maroochydore resident still competes in State and national swimming championships through the Sunshine Coast Masters Swimming Club in Cotton Tree.
Over the last 15 years he has won 120 competitions nation-wide.
“I think I’ll give it up when I reach 100. I can retire then,” he joked. “But I love it so much I don’t think I could ever stop.”
During his time as a member of the Sunshine Coast Masters Club, Arthur has developed many lifelong friends who recently helped him cope with the loss of his wife Florence.
“It’s been a real delight to be in the company of the swimmers,” he said.
“They are very friendly and happy so it makes me feel positive.”
After 62 years of marriage, Arthur lost his wife to Alzheimer's disease. He nursed her for five years before she died.
But while the recent loss of his wife has been difficult for Arthur to cope with, he continues to live life to the full.
“People have offered to come and help but I can look after myself,” he said.
“And I have several hobbies, making jewellery and presents for people. I keep very active.”
The friendships he has developed through the swimming club are extremely valuable to Arthur since he and his wife couldn’t have children.
“We tried to have children but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be,” he said.
“It gets lonely sometimes but I have many friends who are very special to me and I see them regularly.”
He said he put his swimming competitions on hold for a few months to grieve his loss but continues to train in the pool up to five times a week.
“It’s been really hard for me because I’ve just lost the love of my life,” he said.
“The house feels really empty without her, but I manage.”
Arthur said he would continue to soldier on and get involved in various community activities and charities.
As a lifelong member of the Orchid Society and St John’s Ambulance, he said community work was an important part of his life.
“I just want to give something back to the community,” he said.
“The clubs are always organising worthwhile activities and are great places to socialise.”
When Arthur isn’t busy training for swimming competitions or organising his next community event, he has his hands in a variety of hobbies, projects and clubs. One hobby he’s particularly passionate about is designing and creating jewellery by hand.
Before Arthur retired, he was a watchmaker by trade and owned a local retail store making jewellery and silverware. Now Arthur, who has been on the Coast for 22 years, designs jewellery for fun and takes delight in giving them away to his friends as gifts.
“I love making jewellery for my friends and family because it’s something that I enjoy and they really appreciate it,” he said.
He also often travels north of Queensland with a group of friends to mine for opals.
“I like to come back with the opals and make earrings, broaches, and pendants,” he said.
“Opals make the most stunning jewellery.”
And he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in the garden, with over 100 orchid plants in his yard.
“Orchids are my favourite flower, I used to pick some out of the garden once they bloomed and put them in a vase for my wife,” he said.
Arthur said he will continue to get involved in the community as much as possible and hopes to continue swimming competitively. In fact, Arthur is preparing for the 2007 AUSSI (Australian Union of Senior Swimmers International) Masters National Swim this May which will be hosted by the Northern Territory Branch in Darwin.
“It’s a wonderful relaxing exercise. If you have time to spare it’s a gentle exercise because the buoyancy of the water keeps the weight off the joints.”
He encouraged locals to get involved in the program regardless of whether or not they are talented swimmers.
“The members are most helpful and it’s a friendly atmosphere and great way to get fit,” he said.
”It’s worth giving it a go just for the fun and social aspect of it, even if you’re not a very strong swimmer.”
Image(s) designed by Renae Dyer