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HERITAGE NOOSA
HERITAGE NOOSA
Clinton and Sue Stanley Oral History - Swimming
DETAILS
Overview
Part 1 : This interview explores Clinton’s remarkable swimming career and the achievements that have shaped his life. Despite beginning competitive swimming relatively late at around age 17, Clinton quickly developed a passion for learning different swimming strokes and became a highly accomplished distance swimmer through dedication and extensive training.
The interview highlights Clinton’s success in the 1500-metre event, where pacing and endurance were key to his achievements. Supported by his mother, Sue Stanley, Clinton reflects on significant milestones, including setting records, receiving recognition from Australian swimming champion Grant Hackett, and becoming a World Champion in Italy. He also recalls representing Australia internationally, competing in countries including South Africa, Poland, Taiwan, Portugal, England, and New Zealand.
Beyond swimming, Clinton participated in triathlons and benefited from the guidance of respected coaches such as Glen Housman and Nick Croft. Sue explains how these mentors played important roles in developing Clinton’s racing and athletic abilities. The interview also emphasises the supportive sporting community around him, particularly his long involvement with Noosa Masters Swimming, where friendship remains a major source of enjoyment.
Clinton’s commitment to community service is evident through his work as a surf lifesaver at Sunshine Beach Surf Club, where his personal motto is, “No one drowns on my beach.” He also discusses the pride he felt carrying the Queen’s Baton Relay baton, alongside his family. Reflecting on a lifetime in sport, Clinton concludes that the greatest reward of swimming has been achieving his ambitions and “living his dream,” a sentiment that encapsulates his inspiring journey.
Part 2 : This interview documents Sue’s lifelong commitment to disability advocacy, community service, and the development of sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Sue reflects on her early life in Sydney, her marriage to Chris Stanley, and the birth of her son Clinton in 1976. Following Clinton’s diagnosis with Down syndrome, Sue encountered attitudes and advice that encouraged institutionalisation and low expectations. Instead, she became determined to ensure her son would have every opportunity to lead a full and meaningful life.
The interview traces Sue’s efforts to connect and support families of children with Down's Syndrome, including establishing parent support groups and advocating for Clinton’s inclusion in mainstream education. After moving to the Sunshine Coast to access better educational opportunities, Clinton’s natural talent for swimming was discovered, launching a sporting career that would eventually see him become a world champion. Sue became deeply involved in Special Olympics and disability sport, creating tennis programs, organising competitions, and advocating for fairer classification systems for athletes with Down syndrome.
A significant focus of the interview is Sue’s role in founding and leading opportunities for Australian swimmers with Down syndrome to compete internationally. Through extensive fundraising, volunteer work, and community support, she helped teams travel to world championships, where Australian athletes achieved outstanding success. Sue also discusses the many awards and honours she received for her contributions to sport and volunteering.
Throughout the interview, Sue emphasises the importance of inclusion, perseverance, and opportunity. Her story demonstrates how determination, community support, and belief in people’s potential can transform lives and create lasting change for individuals, families, and the wider community.
Part 1 : This interview explores Clinton’s remarkable swimming career and the achievements that have shaped his life. Despite beginning competitive swimming relatively late at around age 17, Clinton quickly developed a passion for learning different swimming strokes and became a highly accomplished distance swimmer through dedication and extensive training.
The interview highlights Clinton’s success in the 1500-metre event, where pacing and endurance were key to his achievements. Supported by his mother, Sue Stanley, Clinton reflects on significant milestones, including setting records, receiving recognition from Australian swimming champion Grant Hackett, and becoming a World Champion in Italy. He also recalls representing Australia internationally, competing in countries including South Africa, Poland, Taiwan, Portugal, England, and New Zealand.
Beyond swimming, Clinton participated in triathlons and benefited from the guidance of respected coaches such as Glen Housman and Nick Croft. Sue explains how these mentors played important roles in developing Clinton’s racing and athletic abilities. The interview also emphasises the supportive sporting community around him, particularly his long involvement with Noosa Masters Swimming, where friendship remains a major source of enjoyment.
Clinton’s commitment to community service is evident through his work as a surf lifesaver at Sunshine Beach Surf Club, where his personal motto is, “No one drowns on my beach.” He also discusses the pride he felt carrying the Queen’s Baton Relay baton, alongside his family. Reflecting on a lifetime in sport, Clinton concludes that the greatest reward of swimming has been achieving his ambitions and “living his dream,” a sentiment that encapsulates his inspiring journey.
Part 2 : This interview documents Sue’s lifelong commitment to disability advocacy, community service, and the development of sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Sue reflects on her early life in Sydney, her marriage to Chris Stanley, and the birth of her son Clinton in 1976. Following Clinton’s diagnosis with Down syndrome, Sue encountered attitudes and advice that encouraged institutionalisation and low expectations. Instead, she became determined to ensure her son would have every opportunity to lead a full and meaningful life.
The interview traces Sue’s efforts to connect and support families of children with Down's Syndrome, including establishing parent support groups and advocating for Clinton’s inclusion in mainstream education. After moving to the Sunshine Coast to access better educational opportunities, Clinton’s natural talent for swimming was discovered, launching a sporting career that would eventually see him become a world champion. Sue became deeply involved in Special Olympics and disability sport, creating tennis programs, organising competitions, and advocating for fairer classification systems for athletes with Down syndrome.
A significant focus of the interview is Sue’s role in founding and leading opportunities for Australian swimmers with Down syndrome to compete internationally. Through extensive fundraising, volunteer work, and community support, she helped teams travel to world championships, where Australian athletes achieved outstanding success. Sue also discusses the many awards and honours she received for her contributions to sport and volunteering.
Throughout the interview, Sue emphasises the importance of inclusion, perseverance, and opportunity. Her story demonstrates how determination, community support, and belief in people’s potential can transform lives and create lasting change for individuals, families, and the wider community.
IDENTIFIERS
CONNECTIONS
PersonClinton StanleySue StanleyEventNoosa TriathlonOrganisation & ClubNoosa Masters SwimmingSunshine Beach Surf Life Saving ClubProjectNoosa's Sporting HistoryMenuDecade | 2020-2029Topic | Sport & Recreation
Clinton and Sue Stanley Oral History - Swimming. Heritage Noosa, accessed 02/08/2026, https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/33541
