Catriona Barry retires as Chief Executive of Rainbow Club

The Board of Rainbow Club Australia - a network of social swimming clubs for children living with disability - has announced that Chief Executive Catriona Barry will be retiring after serving a distinguished ten-year term in the role.

Rainbow Club President Alexandra Finley notes “Catriona has made an enormously valuable contribution to Rainbow Club as CEO and will leave the organisation in a strong and growing position.

“Under her leadership, membership capacity has grown fivefold from 400 to almost 2,000 and the number of Rainbow Clubs has grown from 16 to 50, expanding into regional NSW and into Brisbane.”

Barry says she has loved her time with Rainbow Club and regularly has to remind herself that there are 2,000 young people with a disability learning to swim every weekend across 50 different locations. 

Barry adds “our clubs run smoothly thanks to the teachers and volunteers.  We all recognise the importance of swimming and water safety, and we know it is a skill our members will have for life and it may even save their life. Importantly it is a social connection every weekend.”

Barry says that this could not happen without the dedication of Rainbow Club staff who are passionate about the service Rainbow Club offers and shared “they go above and beyond every day and are a great team to work with.  

“The 300 teachers across our club network are the key to Rainbow Club’s success. Their passion for their work is front and centre each week as they face challenges in the pool with empathy, encouragement and understanding.

Finley adds “The Board wish Catriona all the very best in her retirement.  She is highly respected and warmly regarded by all at Rainbow Club and will be sorely missed.”