Rainbow Connect
Each year, Rainbow Club hosts Rainbow Connect, a one-day event for teachers, staff, volunteers, and board members to come together and connect, share, and learn. See About us
Rainbow Connect is a unique opportunity to meet with other Rainbow Clubs, access information, provide feedback, and discuss ideas.
Our annual conference is a chance to meet and connect with the Rainbow Club family from across NSW, QLD, VIC and the ACT. There will be a face to face and online option available to attend. There will be an inspirational keynote speaker, specialised training and workshops. Our Bi-Annual Aqua Awards to celebrate the hard work of our teachers, committee volunteers and in-pool volunteers were held in 2023 and will be back this year. This event is available in person or online, all regional and interstate staff can ask for assistance with travel and or accommodation.
2025 Rainbow Connect – 12th July 2025
Location: TBD
What happens at Rainbow Connect:
Agenda:
7.45am CPR (Optional Training)
9.00am
Rainbow Connect Welcome
9.30am
Keynote Speaker – Overcoming Obstacles
10.15am Morning Tea
10.30am
Rainbow Club Back to Basics Panel
11.45pm Lunch
12.45pm Afternoon split sessions.
Round Table Workshop: Three Discussion Topics.
Skill Development & Progession, Effective Communication & Managing Challenging Behaviours2.20pm Short Break
2.30pm Round Tables Continued
3.20pm Wrap up with CEO Graeme Houston
3.30pm Networking Drinks & Canapes
4.30pm
Event ends
Aqua Awards
Every two years, Rainbow Club presents the prestigious Aqua Awards. Rainbow Club members reach their potential in the water with the support and encouragement of teachers, families, committee members and supporters, and many individuals devote a lot of time and energy to this goal. For many, feedback and appreciation from members is its own reward but at Rainbow Club we believe outstanding people should be recognised and promoted.
There are four categories of Rainbow Club Aqua Awards:
- Aqua Teacher which recognises a Rainbow Club teacher who has contributed above and beyond the duties and time for which they have been paid.
- Aqua Lead Teacher which recognises a Rainbow Club Lead teacher who has contributed above and beyond the duties and time for which they have been paid.
- Aqua Committee Volunteer which is awarded to a Committee member, fundraiser, or anybody who has contributed in a volunteer capacity to the success of Rainbow Club at a Club level.
- Aqua Inpool Volunteer awarded to a volunteer who helps in the pool each week during Rainbow Club lessons and does so without expecting any reward.
And the 2023 Winners were….
Lead Teacher: Erin Dobinson (Mt Annan), Teacher: Carol James (Toronto), Most Improved Teacher: Sophie Osbourne (Warringah), Assistant Lead Teacher: Caitlin Barnes (Sutherland), Inpool Volunteer: Natesha Shalliker (Cherrybrook), Committee Volunteers: Silva Tang (Newington)
And the 2021 Winners were….
Lead Teacher: Taylor Dawson (Hurstville), Teacher: Jolanda Jarman (Penrith), Inpool Volunteer: Zoe Casey, Committee Volunteers: Michelle Greening (Cherrybrook) & Michael Lamb (Bondi)
See our calendar
Our calendar features exciting swim, training, and social events for the whole Rainbow Club community. Check out our calendar and add events to your personal calendar!
Recent news
Teacher Connect 2021
Rainbow Club had its yearly Teacher Connect and Lead Teacher Meetings on Sunday, 17th January. This yearly Teacher Connect a chance for all our teachers to get together, share and learn from each other and to obtain some Professional Development. Rainbow Club values...
2019 Rainbow Connect
Our 2019 Rainbow Connect was a special Connect to not only give Rainbow Club teachers, staff, volunteers and Committees a chance to come together, share experiences and learn but to also celebrate 50 years of Rainbow Club.
2018/19 Aqua Awards
For the 2018/19 Rainbow Club Aqua Awards we had a record number of nominations for Aqua Teacher and Aqua Committee Volunteer.
Inpool volunteering
Rainbow Club lessons are individualised for children with a disability aged between 3 – 18 years and our unique Swim the Rainbow program is delivered by dedicated and qualified swim teachers. Rainbow Club welcomes inpool volunteers to shadow our swim teachers and help deliver the lessons.
Locations
Acacia Ridge (QLD), Altona (VIC), Armidale, Auburn, Batemans Bay, Baulkham Hills, Bexley, Blayney, Bondi, Bruce (ACT), Burwood, Callaghan/Kotara, Calwell (ACT), Caringbah (Active Moves), Castle Hill, Charlestown/Newcastle City, Cherrybrook, Coffs Harbour, Currimundi, Denistone East, Dubbo, Erina, Everton Hills(QLD), Fairy Meadow, Five Dock, Freshwater, Glenmore Park, Gregory Hills, Gunnedah, Hoppers Crossing (VIC), Hurstville, Kensington, Kilsyth (VIC), Kurri Kurri, Lane Cove, Lane Cove West, Laverton, Lithgow, Liverpool CBD, Liverpool, Loganholme (QLD), Maitland, Maroubra, Mt Annan, Mt Ommaney (QLD), Mt Pritchard, Muswellbrook, Narellan, Newington/Stanmore, North Sydney, Norwest, Orange, Penrith, Queanbeyan, Revesby, Sans Souci, Seven Hills, Seven Hills North, Southern Highlands, Southport (QLD), Springwood, Strathfield, Sutherland, Sylvania, Tamworth, Taree, The Ponds, Tuggerah, Wahroonga, Warriewood, Warringah, Warwick Farm, West Pymble, Windsor, Wollongong, Woolooware. See details