Katie Allen with members of Rainbow Club’s Victorian teaching team at the Regional Roadshow.
Behind every Rainbow Club lesson is a team of passionate people helping children and young people with a disability achieve things they never thought possible. In Victoria, Regional Manager Katie Allen is one of the people helping bring that vision to life.
As both a Rainbow Club parent and Regional Manager, Katie understands the importance of finding a program where children feel safe, included and encouraged to succeed. That personal connection shapes the way she supports families, teachers and clubs across Victoria every day.
Working closely with Rainbow Club’s head office team and dedicated teachers, Katie helps coordinate clubs across the state, supports new and existing locations and works alongside families as they begin their Rainbow Club journey. Whether she’s visiting a club, helping solve a problem or simply checking in with parents, Katie is always focused on creating positive experiences for members.
As Rainbow Club has continued to expand across Victoria, Katie has enjoyed seeing more families discover the confidence that comes from specialised swimming and water safety lessons. She has also supported initiatives that bring the Victorian community together, including the Victorian Regional Roadshow, teacher networking opportunities and encouraging members to experience Rainbow Carnival.
A treasured drawing created by Katie’s daughter after attending Rainbow Carnival.
One of Katie’s favourite Rainbow Club keepsakes is a colourful drawing her daughter created after attending Rainbow Carnival. Filled with Rainbow Club swimmers, bright colours and the handwritten message, “Come back next year!”, it perfectly captures the excitement, friendships and sense of belonging that the event creates for families.
With a background in child protection and lived experience as the parent of children with a disability, Katie brings both professional expertise and genuine empathy to her role. She understands that every family’s journey is unique and knows that small acts of support can make a lasting difference.
For Katie, the greatest reward isn’t opening a new club or watching Victoria continue to grow. It’s seeing children smile after mastering a new skill, celebrating milestones alongside families and watching confidence grow one lesson at a time.
Rainbow Carnival remains one of the highlights of the year, bringing members, families and teachers together from across Australia to celebrate everything that makes the Rainbow Club community so special. Katie and the Victorian team are already looking forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new ones at this year’s event.