City of Mandurah 2021 Sports Award Nomination for Masters Sports Person of the Year: Pauline Wingate
Performances and Achievements
What is her highest level of achievement in the last 12 months?
Pauline recently set three national swimming records, although she has previously
competed and medalled internationally.
Outline her performances and achievements in the last 12 months
Pauline Wingate is an outstanding person and athlete who currently competes in the
Masters Swimming Australia 80 to 84-year-old Age Group in the pool and open water
events.
Five years ago, Pauline faced the challenge of three separate life-threatening events. She
pushed through surgery and energy-sapping medication, exercising as much as she would
dare. Today, Pauline is still on follow-up maintenance medication, which has its moments.
However, she works very hard to maintain her strength and fitness with pool swim squad
training, cycling, and regularly working out in the gym.
Thus, it is even more remarkable that in the last 12 months, Pauline set three National,
fourteen State and twenty-three Club pool swimming records over Long Course (50m) and
Short Course (25m) distances. In addition, she won her Age Group in each of the three open
water long-distance swimming events she entered, as follows (for brevity, the list excludes
details of the Club records she has set in the last 12 months):
25/10/2020 - Stadium LiveLighter Long Course Club Challenge
State Record for 100m Breaststroke
15/11/2020 - Fremantle LiveLighter Long Course Club Challenge
State Record for 50m Breaststroke
16/1/2021 - Port Bouvard Cut to Club 3.5km Open Water Swim
Age Group winner
14/2/2021 - Busselton Jetty 3.6km Open Water Swim
Age Group winner
7/3/2021 - Coogee Jetty to Jetty 1.5km Open Water Swim
Age Group winner
27-28/3/2021 - Masters Swimming State Short Course Championships
State Records for 100m and 200m Freestyle
State Records for 25m, 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke
20/6/2021 - Riverton 400/800 Long Course Meet
State Records for 400m and 800m Breaststroke
18/7/2021 - Riverton LiveLighter Long Course Club Challenge
State Record for 200m Breaststroke
21/8/2021 - Maida Vale LiveLighter Short Course Club Challenge
National and State Records for the 400m, 800m and 1500m Breaststroke
In 2019, for her outstanding service, Pauline was awarded Honorary Life Membership of
Mandurah Masters Swimming. Pauline has been a Committee Member for 13 years,
including roles as Treasurer, Recorder and Registrar. In addition, Pauline has been an
official at our interclub pool meets for 15 years and regularly volunteers as a timekeeper for
other member's swims.
Considering her achievements in sport, Pauline has a friendly and humble nature. Together
with her determination to overcome life's challenges, she has earned respect and
admiration from all who know her. Not only is she an outstanding sportsperson, but she is
also an outstanding role model and inspiration to all.
In her own words, "Any form of exercise is beneficial. You do not have to be elite at
anything; just the fact that you are participating is rewarding".
How has she helped her community?
On the one hand, Pauline is an intelligent, competent, confident organiser, official and
source of wise counsel. On the other hand, she is friendly and fun-loving, and a joy to be
around. Her "superpower" is a unique ability to encourage and support community
members to join in and enjoy participating in sport regardless of their age or ability.
Pauline was an active participant and volunteer in the Mandurah Triathlon Club,
encouraging young people into the sport through Tri-Stars. In addition, she was the Event
Registrar for many years.
In addition, to her roles with Mandurah Masters Swimming as Club Treasurer and Recorder,
Pauline was the Club Registrar for many years. As Registrar, Pauline was the first point of
contact for community members' tentative first steps to restart or take up swimming. She
also regularly volunteers as an official at Interclub Pool Meets, the Mandurah Australia Day
Open Water Swim, and weekly Club Events.
Pauline has a passion for conserving our environment. Mandurah Masters Swimming
members swim at Doddi's Beach in Halls Head four times a week throughout the year, and
Pauline is a regular. Swimming in a natural environment, often in the company of dolphins,
is an inspiring experience and fuels Pauline's love for our coastal environment. At every
opportunity, Pauline volunteers with other members in Coast Care Beach Clean-up and
Sand Dune Revegetation events that the Club coordinates with the City of Mandurah and