World swimming championship silver medallist Minna Atherton opens park in country NSW

From the bright lights of Korea to the opening of a park in the bush town of Glen Innes, it has been a month with a difference for Australia’s latest swimming sensation Minna Atherton.

From the bright lights of Korea to the opening of a park in the bush town of Glen Innes, it has been a month with a difference for Australia’s latest swimming sensation Minna Atherton.

Atherton, 19, positioned herself beautifully for a tilt at 2020 Olympic Games gold after a break through silver medal in the 100m backstroke at the world swimming championships in late August. She also added a 4x100m medley relay silver medal to her cabinet.

$1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS. Min. cost $4

Then last week Atherton and 10 of her teammates from the crack Brisbane Grammar Swimming Club returned from the drought affected New England town of Glen Innes, 367km southwest of Brisbane, where Atherton was asked to open a new park (Melling Park).

Minna Atherton starts in the 100m backstroke final. Pic by Delly Carr/Swimming Australia.

“I had never opened a park before,’’ Atherton said through a trademark smile.

“For such a small town, I was really surprised to see how many people turned up. It was packed,’’ added the Brisbane Girls Grammar School past student.

David Lush took some of his Brisbane Grammar Swimming Club members to Glen Innes to raise morale in a community affected by drought and fire.

Atherton’s coach David Lush added: “It was massive. There was a fete, bouncing castles, jam stores and Barnaby Joyce (former deputy Prime Minister) came down with me and Minna as guests of honour.’’

MINNA ATHERTON’S CAREER STARTED AT THE MILTON STATE SCHOOL POOL

Lush had offered his services to rural Australia to help raise morale in drought and fired affected rural regions, while giving his young athletes, including world junior swimming representative Alexandar Grant, a valuable life experience.

“The intention was for my athletes to engage with a rural community and understand some concepts of aquatic education and give back, but at the same time it was a feel good moment for all of us,’’ Lush said.

Minna Atherton was part of the Brisbane Grammar Swimming Club which held coaching clinics in Glen Innes.

“Some of these families are struggling. Some had travelled two and a half hours just to get to our clinic.

“They had stories about being affected by fire or drought. It was quite emotional.’’

Lush said having the chance for them to rub shoulders with a world swimming championship silver medallist went down a treat with the locals.

“Minna’s medal has a lot more finger prints on it now,’’ he said.