Passages: Swimming in Australia Mourns The Passing of Pioneer Swim Coach Myee Baumer
Swimming in Australia is mourning the loss of much-admired coaching pioneer, Myee Baumer, who has passed away peacefully at Narrabeen’s RSL Retirement Village, in Sydney. Myee was 85.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: Myee Baumer (nee Arnold) State and National swimmer at Drummoyne.
A trailblazing coach at all levels who taught thousands of Aussie kids to swim – setting them on a pathway to an asset for life – and for some – including her own daughter Susie Baumer, on the road to the Olympics.
Myee, along with her husband Rex Baumer, built their lives around their love of the water and their passion for swimming, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
This passionate pairing managed swim centres and ran swim squads in all parts of Australia – from Wagga (where they built the town’s first indoor learn-to-swim centre), to Inverell, Narrabri and Albury in NSW; Moe in the La Trobe Valley in Victoria, and Carina-Chandler Club, Langlands Park Pool and Wynnum Manly in Queensland.
It was in these aquatic environments that Myee honed her skills as one of the finest coaches in the country – a trailblazing female coach – admired and respected by her peers.
Known for her technical nous and compassionate care for her swimmers, Myee taught thousands of children to swim and nurtured in them a love for the water that would continue throughout their lives.
Many of these children would go on to become State and National champions and compete successfully internationally.
Susie Baumer, went on to become a two-time Olympian in 1984 and 1988 and dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 1982 and 1986.
ALL-STAR LINE UP: Myee Baumer (nee Arnold) with Dawn Fraser John Henricks, Jan Murphy
Myee was also no slouch in the water herself; having been a State Champion who trained with the legendary Dawn Fraser at Sydney’s Drummoyne Swim Centre where her photo is still proudly on display.
Myee will be greatly missed by the swimming community – quite simply, Myee loved her swimming coaching, she loved her swimmers, and they loved her.
Her daughter, Susie, reflecting on her mother’s life and legacy.
“As a dedicated coach and mentor, my mother had an innate talent for recognising potential in others,” said Susie.
“She was not just a parent but a guiding light, instilling resilience and courage in her children and countless young athletes.”
During her career, Myee also assisted internationally renown coaches Laurie Lawrence, Bill Sweetenham and her brother Eric Arnold – who would put Hunter, NSW on the swimming map.
Olympic gold medal coach Sweetenham, paying tribute to Myee, saying his life had been enriched in his meeting with the Baumer family on their arrival into Queensland.
“Myee and Rex took the position at Carina in Brisbane where I had worked for several years as the coach of many great athletes which included (world beating 800 and 1500m champion) Stephen Holland,” said Sweetenham.
“My knowledge and everlasting friendship have endured since those days from 1978.
“I went on to coach both Susie and her now husband (Commonwealth Games silver medallist) Tim Ford when they trained with myself at the AIS in Canberra.
WOULDN’T READ ABOUT IT: All in the family in Newcastle.
“Both families are very close to my heart. Myee was an excellent person who also happened to be a friend and a fantastic coach.
“The matriarch of the Baumer family, supported everything positive in life and her chosen career as an accomplished coach.“Few could equal Myee as a person, parent, partner and coach.
Myee is survived by her husband Rex; children Lisa, Susie, Jason, and Terry; 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, and her little dog Bella, who might be tiny in stature, but feisty when she needs to be – much like Myee!
A funeral Service for Myee Baumer will be held at 2.00pm, tomorrow Wednesday August 7, at the Chapel within the RSL Retirement Village at Narrabeen.
The service will be live streamed and can be accessed via this link: https://www.youtube.com/@rslchapel6967/streams
SUSIE CUTE: Susie Baumer as an age grouper under her Mum’s coaching in Wagga Wagga.
ALL GROWN UP: Suzie Baumer 1982 and the Brisbane Commonwealth Games.