Woogaroo Swim Club was officially founded on 22 April 1974, with its inaugural meeting held on that date. Peter Scholes was elected as the Club’s first President, serving for two years. The driving force behind the club’s formation was Serge Ruggeri, a teacher at Goodna State School, where the club was originally based and operated for over 30 years.

 

The club’s name, Woogaroo, is taken from the original Aboriginal name for the Goodna area and nearby creek, meaning “shady place”, symbolising the club’s strong roots in the local community.

 

In 2005, Woogaroo Swim Club moved to the Goodna Aquatic Centre on Brisbane Terrace. This facility upgrade, including a 25-metre heated pool, enabled the club to expand its squad offerings, increase participation, and host sanctioned meets.

 

In January 2011, the club endured significant hardship when the Brisbane floods caused major damage to the centre. Thanks to government funding, the support of the local community, and the resilience of its members, the club made a strong recovery and has continued to thrive.

 

Woogaroo has celebrated key milestones, including its 40th anniversary in 2014 and 50th anniversary in April 2024, reflecting five decades of grassroots sport, community engagement, and competitive swimming excellence.

 

Over the years, the club has developed swimmers at all levels—from beginner and junior squads through to elite athletes. Notable alumni include:

 

Jenny McMahon – Woogaroo’s Most Decorated Swimmer. Rising quickly through the club’s ranks, she became a standout performer at Brisbane, Queensland, and national levels, setting records and achieving results that remain unmatched. McMahon achieved Commonwealth Games Gold and Silver medals (1990) in swimming, was five times Australian swimming representative, and had a top 15 world ranking for five consecutive years. She was also a triple World Surf lifesaving champion (2000) and an Ironman finisher (2014). Known for her discipline, consistency, and humility, Jenny inspired generations of Woogaroo swimmers. Her dedication in training and leadership around the club left a lasting legacy, and she remains a defining figure in Woogaroo’s 50-year history.

 

Kayla Clarke - Paralympian in the S14 classification.

 

Poppy Wilson -  Paralympian who has proudly represented Australia internationally.

Ava Hogan - 
 

These achievements highlight Woogaroo’s inclusive, high-performance culture and its dedication to helping all swimmers reach their potential.