The award winning Montgomerie Links Golf Club located on Vietnam’s stunning Central Coast just outside Danang City has successfully hosted it’s second annual Swing to Swim charity golf day on Saturday 17^th March. The event raised much needed funding for Vietnamese swim programs which will be split equally between two beneficiaries, the Danang based Swim Safe program and Hoi An based Swim Vietnam program.

There were over 120 golfers who participated and they represented an array of nationalities. All of them shared a common goal: to get behind the spirit in which the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day was intended. The Swing to Swim concept is an initiative created by Montgomerie Links and the community spirited Vietnam Swans Australian Football Club to raise critical funding and awareness to support drowning prevention programs in the provinces of Danang and Quang Nam. The event is proudly supported by the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Auscham.

“The Montgomerie Links is very proud to be associated with an event that tangibly benefits our surrounding provinces. In Vietnam drowning fatalities are as frequent as road fatalities, so, by creating events like Swing to Swim, with the support of the lcoal provinces and organistations such as the Vietnam Swans, we are able to provide significant contributions to help save lives”, said Jon Tomlinson, General Director of The Montgomerie Links.

Phil Johns, President of the Vietnam Swans Australian Rules Football Club added, “This year’s event was another great success in terms of raising money and awareness. We doubled the number of golfers, slightly increased the number of our generous sponsors in a very tough economy and generated significant exposure for the cause we are trying to support. Additionally, we have gained strong interest from a number of schools in Danang, Quang Nam and Ho Chi Minh City which are all very keen to further promote the safe swimming message with appropriate programs.”

Justin Scarr, from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, said that “SwimSafe will put this money to very good use throughout the summer program.” He added that “raising the profile of this issue with the community, Government and potential donors is the only way to get long term, sustainable strategies in place to reduce the number of drownings”.

This year’s Swing to Swim tournament has raised a total of VND 714,000,000 (USD 8,250). Next year’s 3rd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day has already been confirmed for 23 March 2013 in the Quang Nam province at The Montgomerie Links.

Special mention is required for our Swing to Swim sponsors which contributed to the overall success of the event. Our Gold Sponsors who contributed a minimum cash donation; namely, Diamond World, Glenmoriange and Sport Stuff. At the same level for their support in driving this event forward were the Vietnam Swans and Auscham,

Hole in One Sponsors included Diamond World, Park Hyatt Saigon and Diamond Bay. Each of them again offered incredibly generous support.

Our Silver Sponsors also contributed greatly: Lifestyle Resort Hoi An, Ana Mandara Hue, Heron Lake, The Nam Hai, Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, VietStar Resort and Spa Phu Yen, PepsiCo.

Other generous sponsors included the Caravelle Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Thai Country Club, Kota Permai Golf and Country Club, Titleist, Ocean Dunes, Mai Linh, ELI School, Palm Garden Resort, Handee, Hot Chili, Al Fresco’s, Red Bridge, Danang Golf Club, Waterfront Restaurant Danang, Cham Island Dive Centre, Avana, Tiger Lily, Blue Coral and Dingo Deli.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back again in 2013 for the 3rd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day to further reduce the number of drownings in this country!

Jon Tomlinson, General Director of Montgomerie Links has described the 2012 Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day as “a great success”.

Jon stated that the Swannies’ Mick Francis did an “awesome job as auctioneer despite some recent ‘Delhi belly’ and the feedback from all participants was excellent”.

The amount of money raised is expected to fall between 12 and 14 millionVND (USD6-7,000).

Going forward, Jon added that “Montgomerie Links Vietnam would love to continue this event”.

It was also announced that next year in 2013, teh 3rd Annual Swing to Swim will be held on Saturday, 23 March.

More to follow.

G’Day all

Huge weekend for the Swans this weekend with Two Great Events and the upcoming ANZAC Friendship Match just around the corner.

Gaelic Game

The Gaelic boys had a run with us last week and showed us a few of the rules and we had a quick run on each code which was a heap of fun. We have split the teams but will finalize the teams tomorrow as I am sure there will be more players turn up on the day. Please make sure everyone is at the ground and ready to go by 2pm as we need to run through a few key rules. Check out the link on for a bit of a run down on what to expect tomorrow for those of you who haven’t been involved before.

There will be food and drinks at the ground, raffles to support Loreto and then a post game function at the Spotted Cow which will start from 7pm. A huge day so get down to RMIT and join the action.

Swing to Swim

It’s not to late if you know anyone wanting to play a round of golf and, in the process, help save some lives, see the attached Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day and Evening poster.

To support this initiative and to help raise awareness about water safety, the International School of HCMC is proposing to hold a Swimathon on the morning of the golf day. Great stuff, indeed.

To read an article in today’s Saigon Times newspaper by Mic Smith, click onto .

More Training

Chris Robinson has been arranging a running group in Saigon and Nicko has told me Chris has some great runs through the city. Wednesday morning at 6am at the soccer stadium is great place to start (corner of NTMK and and Dinh Tien Hoang). If you’re keen, we can put you on his mailing list which will give you all the details.

Dave O’Shea has been smashing it out in Binh Duong with training every Thursday and we will start training on a Tuesday night from 27^th of March in anticipation for the ANZAC Friendship Match.

ANZAC Friendship Match

Speaking of the Anzac Friendly Match, there is only 5 weeks to go and its going to be a hoot. I will send out a separate note next week specifically around accommodation and numbers but start getting switched on Swannies for a massive weekend in Vung Wow.

Montgomerie Links and the Vietnam Swans are pleased to announce details of the 2^nd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day to raise funds to reduce the number of drownings in Vietnam. Below is the press release.

***Stop Press! Auscham, the Australian Chamber of Commerce, becomes Official Partner of 2nd Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day***

The 2^nd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day will once again be hosted by The Montgomerie Links and proudly supported by Indochina Land and the Vietnam Swans while being endorsed by the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA), which have contributed significantly to swimming programs in the country

Swing to Swim will be held on Saturday 17^th March 2012 in a bid to raise VND 500,000,000 for local swimming programs, Swim Vietnam Hoi An and Swim Safe Danang. In a country where more children die from drowning than road accidents, these swimming programs are essential for raising awareness and reducing the number of drownings in Vietnam and the immediate region.

The Montgomerie Links and Vietnam’s very own Australian Rules Football Club, the Vietnam Swans will continue their cooperative building on the success of 2011 when VND 500,000,000 (USD25,000) was raised in the charity golf event’s inaugural year.

“The Montgomerie Links is proud to host Swing to Swim due to the significance of drowning in our region. With miles of coastline and rivers that surround Danang and Quang Nam provinces, this charity golf event takes enormous steps to provide funding to these worthy swimming programs to save the lives of local citizens while further demonstrating Indochina Land’s commitment to charitable causes” said Jon Tomlinson General Director of The Montgomerie Links and Vice Director of Indochina Land’s Hospitality Division.

Vietnam Swans’ National President, Phil Johns commented that “Along Vietnam’s coastline and internal waterways, we know how water can take someone’s life in a breath. We also know that water sustains life” he said. “Australians are renowned for their swimming ability and therefore, as Vietnam’s Australian Rules Football Club, we are very proud to support these swimming initiatives. Vietnamese children should not only survive but thrive in the waterways of Vietnam. Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe are unlocking an exciting world of safe swimming in this wonderful country.”

The golf event is designed to be fun and light hearted with a team “scramble” format played over 18 holes at the stunning Montgomerie Links Golf Course voted the best in Vietnam for the past two years. In addition to the round of golf, as part of the package, there is lunch and gala dinner comprising an auction hosted by the Vietnam Swans who also donate AFL football memorabilia such as the 2010 West Coast Eagles Australian Rules Football jumper that last year was auctioned for VND, 25,000,000 to Montgomerie Links member and Danang resident, Mr Le Ngoc Tu.

Entries and sponsorship opportunities are now available!

Tournament Schedule:

• 10.00am – Arrival and practice at Driving range
• 11.00am – Light Lunch and Golf Tournament Briefing
• 12.00pm – Shot gun Start – 18 holes
• 2.00pm – Kids Clinic featuring Swim Vietnam students
• 5.00pm –  Dinner Presentation, Awards and Auction

Golf Competitions:

• Teams Format (Scramble) with prizes for:
• Hole in One
• Nearest the Pin
• Longest Drive
• Par 3 “Circle of Hope”
• Most Accurate drive (In Between the Lines) – hole #9

FEE: All inclusive entry fee VND 2,000,000 – entry fee, green fee, caddie fee, balls at driving range, light lunch, dinner presentations. (MLV members receive a 10% discount)

If you feel ready to commit now, please join us on Saturday 17^th March 2012

For more information and reservation please contact us at:

Tel: 0510 3941 942 or Ms. Donna Tran – 0905 226 206

Email:

SPONSORSHIP opportunities:

• NAMING RIGHTS – Medley Platinum level – USD $10000 cash:
• Gold Freestyle – USD $5000:
• Silver Backstroke – USD $2500
• Bronze Butterfly – USD $1000
• Hole In One – USD $5000 of retail value
• Naming right on hole min at $500
• Auction: min $100

If you would like to register your interest in being a sponsor and/or playing in the Swing to Swim event, please email Donna Tran at Montgomerie Links on or Phil Johns, National President, Vietnam Swans on .

National President, Phil Johns, speaks about the upcoming 2012 Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day at Montgomerie Links, Danang.

It’s Valentine’s Day today – and I love the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day which will be held at Montgomerie Links, Danang/Hoi An (China Beach), next month on 17 March 2012.

I love Swing to Swim because last year, we:

• Raised $25,000 to support swimming initiatives in this country where more children die from drowning than road accidents
• Played 18 holes of golf on the highly decorated Montgomerie Links which was voted 2011’s Best Leisure Development in Vietnam and 2010’s Best Golf Course in Vietnam ( for further awards). Among the highlights at Montgomerie Links, are the:

• Par-four 6th where a French gun placement pillbox sits to the right of the tee
• 527-yard, par-five 12th that requires navigating 18 bunkers before reaching the elevated sloping green.
• 15th is a risk-reward hole as the dogleg left hugs the water and will require a confident 290 yard blast from the back tee to reach the fairway.
• 18th, the longest par-five, is another, tempting big hitters to go for the slightly uphill green in two, provided they can avoid the fairway bunkers.

• Thoroughly enjoyed the evening dinner, drinks and music overlooking the golf course while the sun was setting
• Were amazed when Mr Tu paid $1,200 for a West Coast Eagles jumper at the auction because he had recently visited Melbourne and was incredulous at the city’s level of passion for Aussie Rules
• Were impressed that Montgomerie Links, Swim Vietnam, the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, Swim Safe Danang and the Swannies could form such a creative and positive partnership
• Had a wonderful long weekend staying at one of the beautiful resorts in Hoi An / Danang with the family. China Beach is such a perfect escape from Hanoi and HCMC.
• Made some incredible new friends

As for 2012 Swing to Swim, I’m lovin’ it:

• Last week, Swannies’ sponsor, the Commonwealth Bank, kicked off proceedings by booking the first 8 rounds for their key clients and staff.
• Another Swannies’ sponsor, the Boomarang Bistro Saigon also confirmed they will participate (and Adam is looking for some more friends to play on the Friday)
• Chris Doullis, about to be named as a 2012 Sponsor of the Swannies (watch this space…), will play with several friends – and has just pledged a box framed photograph with mounted golf ball autographed by a bloke named Tiger Woods. (This auction item is currently in Sydney and we are now seeking couriers – please!)
• All members of Montgomerie Links Vietnam and the Swannies are entitled to a ten per cent discount for the round of golf.

Are you now loving Swing to Swim? Here’s how you can help:

• Read the attached promo poster for all details on the actual day and evening, as well as the Press Release – and spread the word.
• Sign up on the attached registration form (Golf VND2million ($100). Lunch VND600,000 ($30). Dinner VND800,000 ($40))
• Be a cash sponsor
• Be an in kind sponsor with items for auction and/or raffle (full sponsorship details can be forwarded separately)

I’m loving making a difference because I am going to play in the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day:

“Two children in my school drowned when the road flooded and they were swept away two years ago. With this new teacher training we can teach them how to save themselves in these types of situation. This is a very good idea as most Vietnamese children do not know how to swim.” Hồ Hữu Tùng, New Swim Teacher from the Swim Vietnam Program, Nam Phuoc School.

This Year’s Goal:

• 150 golfers
• $25,000 donated to Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe

And finally…

Honk if you love saving lives at the 2012 Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day! Honk, Honk!

Related items:

A week after the bagpipes played at the Long Tan Cross for the first time since 1969, friend of the Vietnam Swans, Rod Campbell forwarded through a link to an amazing song, .

This moving song has been written by his friend, . Below is an excerpt:

Lest we forget now, those missing in action
Lest we forget now, at the going down of the sun
All for one to up the battalion
All alone we were wondering what we’ve done.

Chances we are still, holding back the tears
Chances we are still, drowning in our beers
Chances we are still, falling on deaf ears

All the time we go marching out one by one
And all alone we were wondering, what we’ve done
Remember us, on ANZAC Day
Remember us, on the field that you play.

To listen to the full song, .

According to his website,

“Darren was involved in playing and coaching Australian Rules Football for over 30 years at regional, SANFL and AFL levels… (He was) a talent scout/forward scout at Woodville/West Torrens, North Adelaide, and under Dennis Pagan at both North Melbourne and Carlton. 

“As a singer-songwriter, Darren sang his song (scroll through the list of songs and click “play”) at the 2008 SANFL Grand Final pre-match entertainment.“

Rod Campbell was travelling through Vietnam back in August 2008 when he bumped into Swannie, Travis Fennell in Hanoi.

Rod has extensive coaching experience in Australia working with coaching greats such as Denis Pagan (there’s that name again…). His father, Graham, was a former player and coach for Fitzroy. Rod gave those of us in Hanoi tips, insights and ideas into game strategies and training drills. Rod did it all again when he made it down to Saigon the following week.

A great bloke, indeed. (Click here and here for mentions in the Swannies’ Weekly Wraps from back in 2008.)

• The Swannies will hold an ANZAC Boot Camp in Vung Tau from 11-12 February 2012.
• The Swannies will host our 3rd Annual ANZAC Friendship Match against the China Reds in Vung Tau on Saturday 21 April 2012.

, Danang/Hoi An and the Vietnam Swans are auctioning a Corporate Golf Package that includes:

• Complimentary 18 hole Green Fees for 20 players
• $100 F&B Credit
• Free Driving Range balls before round.
• 12 month validity
• Conditions: Not Redeemable on weekends before 11am or on the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day.
• Value: $2300.

Damien Cupitt has just placed a bid for USD851 (surpassing Paul Schwerdt’s $800 and the Vietnam Swans’ USD500). That’s just $40 per player! What an incredible bargain!

To place your bid, please email the Vietnam Swans at Bids close at 5pm* Vietnam time (GMT +7) on Monday 16 January. All money raised will be used to support swimming initiatives offered by Swim Vietnam and Swim Safe (Royal Life Saving Society of Australia) to reduce the number of child drownings in Vietnam.

* Please note, if the final bid received by the deadline is less than $50 higher than the previous bid, the previous bidder shall have the right to place a final, winning bid if it is at least $50 higher again. For example, if someone offers $1 extra at 4.59.59pm on Monday, the previous bidder can claim the prize if they offer an additional $50 plus the $1. In a different scenario, if a new bidder offers an additional $50 by the deadline, the prize is theirs.

• For further information, click onto Swing to Swim starts with a seismic splash.
• Danang/Hoi An is an ideal weekend retreat. Located on China Beach, one hour’s flight from Hanoi/Saigon with loads of accommodation options. Perfect for families, friends and children. A special side trip after the ANZAC Friendship Match (21 April) and ANZAC Dawn Service (25 April).
• To register your interest in sponsoring and/or playing in the Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day and Dinner on 17 March 2012, email the . Again, the Corporate Golf Day package is not redeemable at this event.

On Friday 28 October 2011, ABC news ran a story by Monique Ross, on .

The Vietnam Swans are proactively involved in raising funds and awareness on child drownings in Vietnam. An extract from the article is reproduced below.

The deadly floodwaters currently ravaging Asia are shining a light on the “silent epidemic” of child drownings in the region.

Children account for almost a quarter of the estimated 800 deaths reported since July across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines, according to the United Nations.

There are fears the toll could actually be much higher, as many drowning deaths go unreported in Asia because no death certificate is needed for burial.

Former Fairfax journalist John MacGregor works with an NGO in Cambodia that is bringing supplies and medical help to remote flood-affected villages.

He visited one village that knew first-hand the pain of losing a child to the floodwaters.

“The commune we went to [on Wednesday], that was Chreas commune, they told us that two kids drowned on Monday in the floodwaters,” he said.

“A lot of them can’t swim. They’re not like Aussies. So if they get into water that’s over their heads, they drown.

“These people are on little strips of land six or eight feet wide, perched above the floodwater, sleeping on the mud on bits of plastic – that’s been going on for weeks.”

Justin Scarr, the drowning prevention commissioner of the International Life Saving Federation, says the issue of child drowning in Asia did not begin with the floods sweeping the region.

“Most people would think that drowning is at its highest for children during flooding, but it’s actually an issue in everyday life, particularly in rural communities across Asia,” he said.

“We describe it as a silent epidemic. The numbers are a little bit debatable but anywhere between 200,000 and 300,000 children drown across Asia every year.”

That compares to around 40 child drowning deaths in Australia last year…

To read the rest of the article, .

The Vietnam Swans, Montgomerie Links and Swim Vietnam worked closely with Justin Scarr and the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia to organise last May’s inaugural Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day which raised $25,000.

Next year, the 2nd Annual Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day will be held on on 17 March 2012.