Ellena Morris inducted into Cessnock City Hall of Fame

The Advertiser

15-06-2025

A STAPLE in the swimming community, Ellena Morris has been inducted as the 69th person into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame.
Mrs Morris was honoured at a civic ceremony at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) on Friday, June 13, for her decades of tireless work to make the sport she loves inclusive for all.
In 2024, she was recognised with an OAM for her work as head aquatics coach at Special Olympics Australia in the early 2000s and for her long involvement in the Hunter swimming scene.
Today, she still spends six days a week in the pool, making a splash with her expertise.
She has helped athletes living with disability develop for more than 45 years, taught thousands to swim, and supported Special Olympics Australia competitors to train and represent their nation on the world stage.
She was included in the hall of fame for her involvement in Special Olympics Australia as a national swimming classifier and as Head Australian Aquatics Coach at the 2013 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, where 32 nations competed.
Mrs Morris has run free learn-to-swim classes in the Hunter Valley for many years, co-founded the family-friendly and inclusive Coalfields United Amateur Swimming Club, and started Rainbow Club in this region, offering personalised swimming lessons for children living with a disability.
Cessnock City mayor Daniel Watton said Mrs Morris had touched many lives during her decades of service to sport.
"It is wonderful to formally recognise and celebrate the many important achievements of this remarkable member of our community," he said.
Since 2006, the hall of fame has recognised exceptional local community members in one of six categories - arts, business, public service, science, sport, or meritorious families.
As part of the recognition, a plaque honouring an inductee is installed in the town or village in which they are most strongly linked, and their name is placed on the Wall of Fame honour roll in the foyer at PACC.
A STAPLE in the swimming community, Ellena Morris has been inducted as the 69th person into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame.
Mrs Morris was honoured at a civic ceremony at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) on Friday, June 13, for her decades of tireless work to make the sport she loves inclusive for all.
In 2024, she was recognised with an OAM for her work as head aquatics coach at Special Olympics Australia in the early 2000s and for her long involvement in the Hunter swimming scene.
Today, she still spends six days a week in the pool, making a splash with her expertise.
She has helped athletes living with disability develop for more than 45 years, taught thousands to swim, and supported Special Olympics Australia competitors to train and represent their nation on the world stage.
She was included in the hall of fame for her involvement in Special Olympics Australia as a national swimming classifier and as Head Australian Aquatics Coach at the 2013 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, where 32 nations competed.
Mrs Morris has run free learn-to-swim classes in the Hunter Valley for many years, co-founded the family-friendly and inclusive Coalfields United Amateur Swimming Club, and started Rainbow Club in this region, offering personalised swimming lessons for children living with a disability.
Cessnock City mayor Daniel Watton said Mrs Morris had touched many lives during her decades of service to sport.
"It is wonderful to formally recognise and celebrate the many important achievements of this remarkable member of our community," he said.
Since 2006, the hall of fame has recognised exceptional local community members in one of six categories - arts, business, public service, science, sport, or meritorious families.
As part of the recognition, a plaque honouring an inductee is installed in the town or village in which they are most strongly linked, and their name is placed on the Wall of Fame honour roll in the foyer at PACC.
A STAPLE in the swimming community, Ellena Morris has been inducted as the 69th person into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame.
Mrs Morris was honoured at a civic ceremony at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) on Friday, June 13, for her decades of tireless work to make the sport she loves inclusive for all.
In 2024, she was recognised with an OAM for her work as head aquatics coach at Special Olympics Australia in the early 2000s and for her long involvement in the Hunter swimming scene.
Today, she still spends six days a week in the pool, making a splash with her expertise.
She has helped athletes living with disability develop for more than 45 years, taught thousands to swim, and supported Special Olympics Australia competitors to train and represent their nation on the world stage.
She was included in the hall of fame for her involvement in Special Olympics Australia as a national swimming classifier and as Head Australian Aquatics Coach at the 2013 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, where 32 nations competed.
Mrs Morris has run free learn-to-swim classes in the Hunter Valley for many years, co-founded the family-friendly and inclusive Coalfields United Amateur Swimming Club, and started Rainbow Club in this region, offering personalised swimming lessons for children living with a disability.
Cessnock City mayor Daniel Watton said Mrs Morris had touched many lives during her decades of service to sport.
"It is wonderful to formally recognise and celebrate the many important achievements of this remarkable member of our community," he said.
Since 2006, the hall of fame has recognised exceptional local community members in one of six categories - arts, business, public service, science, sport, or meritorious families.
As part of the recognition, a plaque honouring an inductee is installed in the town or village in which they are most strongly linked, and their name is placed on the Wall of Fame honour roll in the foyer at PACC.
A STAPLE in the swimming community, Ellena Morris has been inducted as the 69th person into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame.
Mrs Morris was honoured at a civic ceremony at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) on Friday, June 13, for her decades of tireless work to make the sport she loves inclusive for all.
In 2024, she was recognised with an OAM for her work as head aquatics coach at Special Olympics Australia in the early 2000s and for her long involvement in the Hunter swimming scene.
Today, she still spends six days a week in the pool, making a splash with her expertise.
She has helped athletes living with disability develop for more than 45 years, taught thousands to swim, and supported Special Olympics Australia competitors to train and represent their nation on the world stage.
She was included in the hall of fame for her involvement in Special Olympics Australia as a national swimming classifier and as Head Australian Aquatics Coach at the 2013 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, where 32 nations competed.
Mrs Morris has run free learn-to-swim classes in the Hunter Valley for many years, co-founded the family-friendly and inclusive Coalfields United Amateur Swimming Club, and started Rainbow Club in this region, offering personalised swimming lessons for children living with a disability.
Cessnock City mayor Daniel Watton said Mrs Morris had touched many lives during her decades of service to sport.
"It is wonderful to formally recognise and celebrate the many important achievements of this remarkable member of our community," he said.
Since 2006, the hall of fame has recognised exceptional local community members in one of six categories - arts, business, public service, science, sport, or meritorious families.
As part of the recognition, a plaque honouring an inductee is installed in the town or village in which they are most strongly linked, and their name is placed on the Wall of Fame honour roll in the foyer at PACC.