Swim meet in Wharenui, with Southland, Otago and Canterbury competing in 1976......

Rickie Binning, 12 year old Wharenui, swimmer was a feature of the swimming carnival between; Southland, Otago and Canterbury in 1976......

Binning had to beat some strong competition in the way of Rebecca Tohill who had been named in the New Zealand swim team the night before
She also beat Tracy Turnbull, from her club, who had got second place in the recent New Zealand championships in the 100 m breaststroke.
Ian Bullock, who had been unwanted in the Olympic Games team, did a very good time in the 100 m backstroke.
Rowan Novak (Otago) received second place in  the senior men's 100 m breaststroke from  Brian Honeybone from Canterbury. Although they actually recorded the same times, Honeybone was awarded the win.
Michael Smith, Canterbury, won both events in the butterfly.
Jill Clarke, Canterbury, won the 100 m freestyle.
Trudi Garland, also from Canterbury, won easily in the 100m backstroke, but was pushed by her younger team member, Lynette Griffiths, who got a personal best.
Prudence Poole from Southland, won a great race over Marie Bishop, of Canterbury, in the 100m butterfly.
Kathy Baker (Canterbury), recorded a time of 5.24.9 in the 400m medley.
Others competing in the meet were:
T. Kok, T. Ward, P. Rowe, P. Hamilton, Ian Coldicott, R. Carlson, G. Dixon, G. Hern, K. Bishop, L. Jackson, J. Clyne, K. Alexander, L. Collie, R. Bunning, T. Turnbull, R. Tohill, M.Bishop, J. Murdoch, M. Bishop, S. Prior, 

Reference:  The Southland Times.  July 1976