Canberra Weekly

Creating equal access, one splash at a time

Making waves for inclusion, WaterWombats is more than just an aquatic therapy program; it’s a community built on compassion, connection and movement. Founded by health professional and volunteer Carol, the organisation offers water-based therapy and recreation for people of all abilities across four Canberra locations, helping children and adults alike find confidence, freedom, and joy in the water.

Tell us about your organisation, how long you have been there and your

role within it.

My journey with WaterWombats began from my own lived experience with

disability and neurodiversity, and a simple but powerful goal — to create equal access to water-based therapy and recreation for people of all abilities.

As the Founder and Volunteer Director, I have led the organisation’s growth from a small local program to a leading aquatic therapy service operating across four Canberra locations.

WaterWombats was born from my deep belief that every person deserves access to water, to movement, and to joy. As a long-time health professional and advocate for people with disabilities, I saw a gap in the Canberra community: families were struggling to find inclusive aquatic programs that supported both physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing. Too often, therapy options were medicalised, expensive, or simply not accessible to children with complex needs. I founded WaterWombats to bridge that gap.

For me, volunteering isn’t an extra — it’s at the heart of who I am and why WaterWombats exists. I started this organisation as a volunteer because I believe that leadership begins with service. Many of the families we support are already stretched thin by the financial and emotional pressures of living

with disability. Many families need support, but do not have access to NDIS or other supports; therefore, we o er scholarships to access our programs for free. What would be my wages goes to support these families in the program. Offering my time, skills, and energy freely was my way of saying, “You’re not alone — this community will stand beside you.”

WaterWombats specialises in evidence-based aquatic therapy, blending physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and adapted swimming instruction to improve both mental and physical health outcomes. Our sessions focus on building confidence, coordination, and independence through structured yet playful movement in water — a medium that reduces physical strain while enhancing emotional regulation and sensory integration.