Have you met our Managing Director here at Heather Brae Shortbreads?
Well here’s some fast facts to get started!
. Name: Bassam Wakim
. Known as: Bass
. Migrated with his family as a 6 year old from Lebanon in 1965
. Loves: Sport
. Barracks for Carlton & Collingwood (not sure that is even legal)
. Interests are: spending time with his family, skiing, fishing & eating with family & friends.
. As a junior, played Aussie Rules footy for local club Clifton Hill YCW. Starting position was in the ruck, but his prime position was Centre Half Forward. However at a height of 5’9” he finished his footy career in the back pocket. Boasts 2 Premiership flags and one Club Trophy.
. He also was a very good junior in Athletics. Strongest events were the 400m, shot put and discus. He represented his school St Thomas’ CBC in the All Schools CBC State Champs and claimed the Titles for Shot Put & Discus in his final year.
. In his late teens he then focused his sporting interests to canoe racing with the local Fairfield Canoe Club where he and his family are still members. This proved to be when his elite athletic talent unfolded. Over a period of 7 years he was committed to high level training and competition. This would involve at least 2 training sessions every day and competition all over Australia and overseas.
. Bass is proud to have gained National team selection and has represented Australia on 3 occasions at the 1982, 1983 and 1985 World Championships. He was unlucky to miss out on the 1984 LA Olympics. His best result placing 13th in C2 in the 1985 World Championships in Mechelen, Belgium.
. After retiring from competition he turned his hand to coaching and assisting 3 club athletes to attain National selection in the same sport.
. With a group of former canoeists they then formed the Melbourne Dragon Boat Team which was sponsored by Heather Brae Shortbreads. They went on to win many Victorian and Australian Titles in the Dragon Boat Championships. They also competed all over the world at Sporting and Cultural Championships mostly in Asia but also New Zealand and Canada. Bass’ highlight was competing on the Yangtze River in China just prior to when the Three Gorges Dam was built. This event was in front of a crowd of 100,000 spectators. He also competed in the World Dragon Boat Championships in Sydney where the team got a silver in the master’s class.
. He has always enjoyed snow skiing as a hobby whenever he can get to the mountains. He still enjoys it with his family and his children whom are heavily involved in the sport today.
