Swimming With Purpose
Wenona Swimming training, whether in our Athenaeum complex or the St Joseph’s College pool, has taken on greater purpose this month. For Swimming Captain, Georgia (Year 12), each stroke carries special meaning – supporting the Starlight Foundation that once brightened her own hospital room when she was young.
"The Starlight team would come into the children's rooms and entertain us," she recalled of her experience with Starlight volunteers. "They also spent time with my sister, who was there looking after me. They support families too, providing advice and taking your mind off where you are."
"When Mr Morton approached the Aquatics Department about this, it was a no-brainer," Georgia explained. "A number of girls on the Swimming Team have experienced some kind of health problem during their lives, and the Foundation has given back to them as well. We were all keen to help."
Georgia has spearheaded Wenona's participation, and our School community has rallied impressively, well surpassing its $5,000 target to raise almost $7,000 so far, for children facing serious illnesses.
Assistant Swimming Coach, Ms Cristina Di Traglia, embraced an extraordinary 150km swimming challenge for the month, while Director of Aquatics, Mr Michael Creighton, committed to 50km. Georgia has herself raised over $550.00.
What makes this fundraiser particularly special is its inclusivity. "Some participants aren't even swimmers ─ they're just doing it for fun," Georgia pointed out. "You don't necessarily need to swim to donate to such a good cause."
The Super Swim perfectly embodies the Wenona ethos and our motto, Ut Prosim, that I may serve. "The amount of people from Wenona who volunteered and looked to donate, even if they didn't swim, was overwhelming. I had friends donate really generous amounts, including $100 from a close friend, with other friends from different year groups contributing too."
For Georgia, who has attended Wenona since Kindergarten and is now in her final year, witnessing this community response has been profound. "It's indescribable. I've received so much support over my years at the school, and when we do things like this, it really reinforces our community."
This campaign also represents something deeper for Georgia ─ recognising how challenges can shape us without defining us. Having faced health difficulties from a young age, she's developed a perspective that resonates with Starlight's mission.
"I don't let my disability define me," she shared. "When I reflect on all the things that I've done because of the health challenge that was in front of me, I know that I'm super grateful for it. I wouldn't be where I am without it."
Her message to children currently supported by Starlight comes from this experience: "Everybody is here to support you, and no one has your worst interest at heart. While it's easier said than done, just keep going, because when you get better, you can make a life for yourself that isn't necessarily associated with the hospital."
The impact of Wenona's Super Swim participation extends far beyond February's fundraising totals. During Tuesday afternoon training sessions at St Joseph’s College, swimmers from different year groups pushed through challenging four-and-a-half kilometre sets together. "The support ─ you have to be there to really understand," Georgia explained. "We are all supporting each other."
There is still time to donate to Wenona’s Super Swim page and cheer on our students and staff: https://superswim.org.au/t/wenona-school. If you miss the deadline, you can always contribute at the Starlight home page: .