Sharing the good news

Bondi rescue boys Andrew Reid, Chris Chapman, Jake Nolan, Trent Maxwell and Greg Bishop with dolphin ‘Ella’.

Leigh Jensen

GOOD news stories in sport are like gold when there is so much bad behaviour to report.

Or in some cases, turn a blind eye.

However, here’s a little gem that must be reported following the weekend visit by a crew of surf lifesavers from the Bondi Rescue television program.

The lads were in the city to compete in the Beachside Radiology Ocean Swims series and one of their number, Jake Nolan, took out one of the main races.

Leading up to the visit – it can now be reported – there was some concern.

After all, boys will be boys, and it’s an open secret that during a cameo appearance by an advance party last year, there was some . . . how should we put it . . . ?

Rambunctious behaviour?

Anyway, the warning was out to be on best behaviour and we are proud to report what fantastic guests they were in our fine city.

Especially during a visit on Saturday afternoon to swim with the critters at the Pet Porpoise Pool.

The boys had been clowning around in the water for about an hour and had just about run out of steam when a mini-bus loaded with Down syndrome kids and their carers turned up unannounced for the afternoon performance.

Alighting from the bus, one of the kids spotted the Bondi boys and that instant recognition turned into enormous excitement for the youngsters.

Well, you know the rest.

An unidentified lifeguard spotted the kids.

And that was that.

Able-bodied and disabled boys and girls of all ages got together and did what one wishes the whole human race would do without squabbles, wars and petty animosities.

Our source reveals the Bondi ‘kids’ had as much fun as the kids from the bus.

Many laughs, hugs, autograph-signings and rides later, they were all still having a great old time.

Carers, surf stars and every observer on the scene was said to have shed a tear or three to celebrate the occasion.

The nature of your scribbler’s job means sometimes writing stories on topics one would rather not.

But every now and then, something good comes along.

This week, that something good was a handful of blokes showing for a few minutes what glorious creations we humans can be when at our best.

(Thanks for the tip, Frank.)

You’re all welcome back anytime, Bondi boys.