Swimming legend Clinton ‘Super Fish’ Stanley honoured with Medal of the Order of Australia

It’s an enormous month for Clinton “Super Fish” Stanley. 

The Sunshine Coast resident has been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to individuals with a incapacity via swimming, and subsequent week, he’ll have a good time his fiftieth birthday. 

Over the years, Mr Stanley has raised tens of hundreds of {dollars} to assist get himself and different swimmers with Down syndrome to competitions, and for charitable organisations.

Mr Stanley has damaged 79 Down syndrome swimming world data, represented Australia at worldwide competitions seven occasions, and been a patrol member at his native surf lifesaving membership for 20 years. 

They say behind each nice man is a superb girl – and Clinton Stanley isn’t any exception, together with his mum, Sue Stanley, there each step of the way in which to assist make his desires come true. 

In the early years of his swimming profession, Mrs Stanley based the Down Syndrome Down Under Swimming Organisation to assist create alternatives for her son and different athletes. 

She has travelled the world taking groups to the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships six occasions and the World Masters Games twice.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing an athlete, doesn’t matter what sport, achieve at their highest level, especially if they’ve got a disability,” Mrs Stanley stated.

Olympian Benny Pike spent greater than 32 years as chairman of the Sunshine Coast Sports Association the place he labored intently with Mrs Stanley.  

Mr Pike stated he may sum her up in only one phrase: “powerhouse”.

Mr Pike stated he believed Clinton Stanley bought his dedication from his mom. 

“She’s very diligent. If she says she’s going to do it, she does it,” he stated. 

“And I believe that is been the spine for him (Clinton) as a result of he says, ‘I need to go to a swimming race’, she says, ‘Right, you are going’. 

“She’s made positive that her son has not missed something … that is Sue.”

Mr Pike said Mrs Stanley had become a stalwart of the Sunshine Coast sporting community.

“She was serving to her son, however she wished to assist others as nicely. She’s simply that kind of particular person,” he stated.

Mr Pike stated Mrs Stanley’s devotion to her household was one thing to behold. 

“It was all the time good to see him (Clinton) coming throughout the road or doing a swim race,” he stated. 

“But you solely needed to look 100 ft away and there was Sue, all the time there.”

Through it all, Mrs Stanely says she is most proud of who her son is. 

“Clinton’s very humble, and he all the time likes to go up and congratulate the opposite particular person, even when he does not win … that is what we have taught him, all the time to be a superb sport,” Mrs Stanley stated.