When war was declared in 1914 and a Force of some 20,000 men were recruited to form an Army, as a parrallel organisation to the existing Australian Military Forces,

the Commander, Major General William Bridges, had firm views about its designation.

"I want a name that will sound well when they call us by our intials. That is how they will speak of us"

In this way the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) was written into history.

From the above it was only natural that those Ex-Servicemen who organised the first Swimming Carnival in 1936,

they called themselves the "A.I.F. Swimming Day Committee"

 

How the A.I.F. Swimming Association of Australia was formed

Towards the end of the summer of 1929 as a result of the discussion between serveral of the Executive of the Limbless Soldiers' Association a swimming club was formed to assist the members whose sporting activities were restricted because of their disabilities.

Following the formation of the club, and up to 1935, various swims were arranged, with Diggers at Manly, Coogee and Bondi.

It was found after one such outing that a combined swimming carnival between the four groups was decided upon by "Skipper Nobbs" and Charles Hill,

Clubs were subsequently formed at Manly, Coogee and Bondi. On Saturday 12th December 1936 at 8pm members of the four clubs met to battle for new honours.