Dear Monument Australia visitors, we are a self-funded, non-profit organisation, dedicated to recording monuments throughout Australia. Over time the costs of maintaining this website have risen substantially (in fact they are probably larger than those of many companies who exist for profit). In the past we have borne all the costs associated with maintaining the website but we are now having difficulties in paying the monthly expenses.
If Monument Australia is useful to you, please make a donation to keep this historical and educational resource available. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
James GardinerPrint Page 
A monument commemorates James (Jim) Lancaster Gardiner, a swimming teacher who made a significant contribution to Ipswich through his teaching, coaching and swimming administration.
Location
| Address: | Griffith Road, Limestone Park, Ipswich, 4305 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.622811 Long: 152.769611 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Sport |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 6th September, 2003 |
|---|
JIM GARDINER B.E.M. 1903 - 1990
The Grand Old Man of Ipswich Swimming
In honour of
James `Jim` Lancaster Gardiner B.E.M. 1903 - 1990
The father of Ipswich swimming.
"Let go of the side of the pool... now kick and stroke
and stroke, Swim to me, you can make it,
swim to me..."
With those reassuring words, five generations of
Ipswich children learned to swim from Jim Gardiner.
And he never charged a penny.
He did it for the love of the sport and to save lives.
Jim started out as a young man teaching swimming
in the Bremer River behind the Ipswich Railway
workshops and continued on well past the age of
retirement in the Olympic War Memorial Pool that
was built on this site.
The City of Ipswich named this swimming centre in
Jim`s honour in 1980.
An accomplished swimmer and rugby league
footballer, Jim made a remarkable contribution to
the social fabric of this city through his dedication
to teaching, coaching and administrating swimming.
He was a life member of Vikings Swimming Club,
Ipswich and Queensland swimming associations.
Jim was made Citizen of the Year in 1974.
People still proudly say today : I was taught to swim
by Jim Gardiner.
06 / 09 / 2003
