25 October 2025
Greta, a resident at Regis Holland Park, describes herself as joyful, affectionate and full of energy, with a playful sense of humour that’s stayed with her through the years. Her warmth and wit are instantly recognisable to anyone who’s spent time with her.
Her journey into swimming didn’t begin in the pool but in the grandstands. “I wasn’t always involved in swimming myself,” Greta says. “But I used to take my daughter, who was 12 at the time, to her swim meets. I’d sit in the grandstand as a parent, cheering and even calling out the lanes with a little wooden spoon. One day, she turned to me and said, ‘Mum, you can’t just call out like that, you need to be an official!’ That’s really what sparked my journey into getting more involved.”
That moment led Greta to become a swimming marshall, a role she embraced with enthusiasm. “A swimming marshall helps manage the flow of events by ensuring swimmers are in the correct lanes at the right time,” she explains. “It keeps races running smoothly.”
Greta’s approach combined discipline with humour. “I remember once hearing some boys swearing as they lined up,” she recalls. “To make the point in a playful way, I’d joke about giving them a little soap for their mouths. It became a memorable way of keeping things respectful without taking away the fun.”
Her dedication was recognised with life membership from Swimming Queensland, an honour she holds close. “Being awarded life membership is one of my greatest achievements,” Greta says. “Receiving certificates from Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister John Howard and the Governor General makes me proud of the contribution I’ve made to the sport and community.”
Among her keepsakes is a 7ft wooden spoon gifted by Yeronga Swimming Club. “It was a nod to my habit of carrying a small household spoon everywhere,” she laughs. “I’d use it playfully for a little smack on the bum of friends or cheeky kids I knew. The club surprised me with a giant version.”
Another treasured memory is meeting her husband while roller skating. “He was skating too, and it truly was love at first sight,” Greta says. “We later got married, though our wedding day came with a bit of drama when the minister arrived at the wrong church while we were waiting at the venue. Thankfully, he eventually made it, and we tied the knot. Looking back, it still makes us laugh.”
Known fondly among swimmers as ‘Mrs T,’ Greta’s legacy is one of joy, community and spirited involvement. At Regis, we celebrate the unique journeys of our residents and the vibrant lives they continue to lead, and Greta’s story is a shining example of that spirit. Her story is a reminder of how one small moment, a cheer from the grandstand, can lead to a lifetime of meaningful connection.
