When the squads at Southern Cross Brindabella turned up for regular Wednesday afternoon training on November 8, the last thing they expected was to be mixing it with one of Australia's true swimming legends. But that's exactly what happened when their newest squad member, 5-medal hero of the Munich Olympic Games Shane Gould, arrived ready to train! Head coach Jaan Murphy paced Shane against his senior swimmers, including Club Captain Sonja Falez and Australian Age Representative David Williams (pictured at left). Shane's guest appearance was carefully planned by the coaching team - even the Club's president was unsure of the final appearance date. Jaan and assistant coach David Murphy were keen to give the swimmers a complete surprise. There were certainly a number of amazed looks when squad members realised who was limbering up next to them! Shane completed the two-hour session with the Club's swimmers, showing clearly the talent and strength that took her to the top of the world when she was only fifteen. By this time, the parents' bush telegraph had generated a sizeable audience, including other TLLC patrons (and management!) who were trying to figure out if they were seeing things! Members of the Brindabella Orcas, the Club's elite(?) parents' squad, were ready with their contracts and cheque books! At the end of the session Shane stayed behind to talk to parents and swimmers, and to sign autographs on whatever items of swimming paraphernalia was handy (including caps, shirts and fins!). A couple of lucky local swimmers managed to scramble home to pick up their copies of Shane's inspirational autobiography "Tumble Turns" for signature. The inevitable photo session then ensued, Shane graciously making herself available for all the children (and parents) who wanted a keepsake of their afternoon with a legend. Southern Cross Brindabella sincerely thanks Shane for giving up her time to spend the afternoon with its swimmers (and for ensuring that the coach was in a good mood). Wednesday afternoon training will never be the same again!