COFFS Harbour native and Paralympic silver medallist Maddie McTernan has spent a few days meeting and competing in the city where her international swimming dreams began.

Participating in the 2025 Coffs Harbour Summer Splash Carnival over the weekend of 11 and 12 January, Maddie witnessed her young brother Ryan’s gold medal winning debut competing as a multiclass swimmer in the 50m Freestyle event.

Maddie won five gold medals.

“Ryan is like his famous big sister Maddie, also suffering from an intellectual impairment,” dad Paul McTernan told News Of The Area.

Ryan has autism, anxiety and ADHD and resides on the Gold Coast with Maddie and his family.

Maddie presented a signed framed photo of her Paris Paralympic games 2024 silver medal performance to her former coach Eugene Brogmus at the event.

“Maddie is a racer, she gives everything in her performances,” Mr Brogmas said.

“It’s a testament to her hard work and dedication.

“I was also impressed with Maddie’s younger brother Ryan’s result too; it was great to hear the crowd cheer Ryan on.”

Maddie also signed autographs and had photos taken with fans, wearing her Paris silver medal.

One photo opportunity was with 17-year-old S19 Coffs Harbour Swim Club swimmer Amelia Moore.

Amelia became the club’s third female swimmer to represent Australia, competing at the 2023 Global Games in France and the Virtus Oceania Asian games in 2022 in Brisbane.

“It was fantastic to compete against Maddie on Saturday,” Amelia said.

“Maddie has been my inspiration, and she has always assisted me in achieving and following my dream in representing Australia.”

Maddie is proud to be part of the history of the Coffs Harbour swim club.

“I have a lot of great memories growing up in Coffs,” she said.

“I am so grateful and appreciative to the kind support from the people of Coffs over the years.

“It’s great to see the new talent emerging in the club.

“When I started swimming for the club in 2014, I was the only multiclass swimmer in the club, now the club has many promising young swimmers coming through and I am happy that I inspire them.”

Mr McTernan spoke about the power of the circle of sport.

“Maddie and her fellow Para Dolphin teammates are now inspiring the next generation of young swimmers coming through, giving back to the sport she loves.

“By participating every year at the Coffs Harbour swimming carnival, she is showing she has never forgotten her grass roots and where her dream started from.

“It was fantastic to witness Ryan’s debut on Saturday with his sister at the same carnival at the very same pool where Maddie’s amazing journey began in 2014, it’s a quite surreal moment for us.”

By Andrea FERRARI