“I’m really happy to be on board because Double Drummer will allow me to help kids learn to swim in countries where something that’s such a given in Australia just isn’t done.”

bio

name: Elka Graham

sport: swimming

current position: media presenter, motivational speaker

career highlights: Elka created two Australian and Commonwealth records, retaining her title as the 400m Freestyle short course record holder into retirement. A dual Olympian in both Sydney 2000 & Athens 2004, she won a silver medal in the Sydney 4 x 200m Freestyle relay as well as numerous medals from World Championships, Commonwealth Games, a World Cup and the Pan Pacific championships. Renowned for her positive outlook and vibrant personality, Elka survived a stint in hospital after she was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2003, but went on to swim in the World Championships just one month later, coming home a mutiple-medallist and holder of the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award for Best Female Swimmer at the World Cup. Now carving a successful media career, writing regularly for the Sun-Herald and New Idea and appearing often on TV, starring in the 7th series of Channel 7’s Dancing With the Stars.

birthday: 20th October

birthplace: Manly, NSW Australia

residence: Balgowlah, NSW Australia

hobbies: surfing and most water sports (she’s a state surf life saving and open water surf champion), yoga, tennis and helping those in need… big supporter of the Heart Foundation and other charities. Also spends several months a year in Italy with her champion water polo playing boyfriend, Thomas Whalan.

project: AVI Learn to Swim for Safety

With AVI’s assistance, Elka is currently setting up a swim for safety program in Papua New Guinea. Why PNG? Because many local kids travel to school each day by canoe… yet most of them don’t know how to swim. As a result, tragic drownings are commonplace.

“I’m really happy to be on board with Double Drummer and Australian Volunteers International. This association will allow me to help kids learn to swim in countries where something that’s such a given in Australia just isn’t done. And we’ll be coaching the coaches too. Of course, this could potentially save lives, but I also want these kids to learn to swim, just for the sheer fun of it. And if we discover a future Olympian or two along the way, that’s a bonus!”