Gymnastics
6 March, 2025
Gymnast Morrow honoured
Horsham's Lynette Morrow was awarded the Gymnastics Victoria Service Medal for dedication to the gymnastics community during the past 30 years.
While the 30 years have been spent in the Wimmera, they were mostly spent coashing at the Natimuk Gymnastics Club.
However she has been involved in gymnastics for 40 years, beginning when she was 11 as a competitor and then progressing to coaching in her teens.
"It was an honour to receive this award," Morrow said.
"I have always enjoyed gymnastics. I am passionate about it and want to see it continue to grow in the region."
Even though she had reached this milestone through the Natimuk Club in the Wimmera in Western Victoria, her journey into gymnastics began at the Footscray Club when she was eleven.
Morrow was fortunate to be in a squad coached by the former coach of five-time Olympian gymnast Nadia Comaneci.
For an already passionate gymnast, this partnership set her on the path that has influenced not only her own carrer but that of hundreds of eager gymnasts of all ages that she has taught in her four decades of coaching.
Two years after this partnership began, Morrow entered a coaching program while still competing at a national level.
An injury at 16 prevented any further competition work.
Still, her love of coaching continued, and after meeting and marrying her husband, Wade Morrow, she moved to Horsham, where she spent a year coaching about 12 students.
An opportunity to coach the Natimuk Club came shortly after, and she moved there in 1994.
"The club now has 300 students, and the club's popularity is due to the high standard of coaching," Morrow said.
Extensions have been necessary to fit the classes and host regular competitions.
Students travel from Nhill, Warracknabeal, Edenhope, Goroke, Stawell, Horsham and Natimuk to attend the four-hour sessions four nights a week.
Students continue to excel and many have won national and state championships.
Although these awards are exciting and remarkable achievements, Morrow is just as proud of all the students who she says are all champions.
"We encourage personal goals and celebrate these achievements at whatever level," she said.
However, from someone who joins to improve their walking ability, balance, flexibility and confidence to those who enter to have fun, it is just as rewarding to see the smile on their face when they achieve their personal goals.
"Some of the younger gymnasts aim high, and the opportunity is available for them to go as far as they can," she said.
Morrow included gymnastics in her university studies to become a teacher, and the combination has contributed to her success in the classroom and as a gymnast.
This, along with her passion for helping and supporting others gaining confidence and life skills, is a large part of the succession plan she is working on to guarantee the opportunity for others and the club's continuity.
While the club currently has 30 coaches, Morrow plans to extend the coaching program too.
Natimuk Gymnastics Club is a not-for-profit organisation and while fees and fundraising cover most of the expenses, the additional extension to te clubrooms she has in her sights will need a successful grant, which she is currently working on.