City Venue Management (CVM) is proud to announce the community partnership with Baby Give Back, creating official donation collection points across selected aquatic and recreation facilities to support children and families experiencing vulnerability across Queensland.

Beginning this month, customers, staff and members of the local community will be able to donate quality pre-loved and new baby and children’s essentials at participating CVM venues.

Accepted donations include baby and children’s clothing from size 00000 through to size 5, nappies and wipes.

The initiative reflects City Venue Management’s ongoing commitment to creating healthier, stronger and more connected communities by supporting families both in and out of the water.

“Our venues are community hubs that welcome thousands of families every week. Partnering with Baby Give Back provides a simple but meaningful opportunity for our communities to support families while ensuring our commitment to social impact goes beyond recreation,” said Shani Gold, Programming, Partnerships & Strategic Development.

Baby Give Back works with frontline organisations including health, education and community services including domestic violence services, homelessness providers and child protection agencies to ensure donated items reach families along with the wraparound support they need.

“Every donation helps give babies and children a safer, healthier start in life. We are incredibly grateful to City Venue Management for opening their venues as community collection points and helping us reach even more families across Queensland,” said Deb Smith, Regional and Remote Coordinator, Baby Give Back.

The first collection points will launch in Townsville at:

• Tobruk Memorial Pool
• Kokoda Memorial Pool
• Long Tan Memorial Pool
• Northern Beaches Leisure Centre

Following the pilot, opportunities to expand the initiative across additional City Venue Management venues will be explored.

Community members are encouraged to donate:

• New or pre-loved baby and children’s clothing (up to Size 5/6)
• New nappies
• Baby wipes

All donations will be collected, sorted and beautifully packed by Baby Give Back volunteers and distributed to families experiencing hardship across Queensland.

Together, City Venue Management and Baby Give Back are making it easier for local communities to give back one item at a time.

What an extraordinary fortnight it has been in Glasgow, and we couldn’t be prouder of our Rackley Swim Team athletes who proudly represented Australia at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Rackley athletes shine on the world stage in Glasgow

After months of dedication, commitment and preparation, including a number of Rackley athletes competing at the Australian Swimming Trials in the lead-up to international selection, our swimmers stepped onto the world stage ready to showcase the results of their hard work.

The Commonwealth Games provided another incredible chapter in the journey of our athletes, and their achievements are a testament to the strength of Rackley Swimming’s high-performance program, coaches, support staff and the wider swimming community that continues to inspire excellence.

A historic Games for Meg Harris

Congratulations to Meg Harris on an incredible Commonwealth Games campaign, delivering a phenomenal performance across six events and securing six gold medals.

Meg’s events & medal tally included:

🥇 50m Freestyle
🥇 100m Freestyle
🥇 4x100m Freestyle Relay
🥇 Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay
🥇 Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay
🥇 4x100m Medley Relay

Meg dominated the pool throughout the Games, claiming Commonwealth titles in both the 50m and 100m Freestyle while playing a crucial role in four Australian relay victories.

Her outstanding achievements saw her equal the record for the most gold medals won by an Australian athlete at a single Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Australian swimmer since Emma McKeon to win six gold medals at a single Games.

Meg’s consistency, speed and determination continue to set the benchmark at the highest level of swimming, and we couldn’t be prouder to see her represent Rackley Swimming, Queensland and Australia on the international stage.

Sam Short makes Commonwealth Games history

Congratulations to Sam Short on an unforgettable Commonwealth Games campaign, where he secured four gold medals and was recognised as the recipient of the Keiran Perkins Award for Australian Male Swimmer of the Meet.

Sam’s events included:

🥇 400m Freestyle
🥇 800m Freestyle
🥇 1500m Freestyle
🥇 4x200m Freestyle Relay
🏊 200m Freestyle

Sam delivered a historic performance, becoming the first man in Commonwealth Games history to win gold in the 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle events at the same Games.

His achievements highlight his incredible consistency, resilience and ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage. Sam continues to redefine what is possible in distance swimming, and we are incredibly proud of the way he represented Rackley Swimming and Australia.

Tiana Kritzinger celebrates an incredible Commonwealth Games debut

Congratulations to Tiana Kritzinger on an outstanding first Commonwealth Games campaign.

Making her debut on the international stage, Tiana competed in two individual distance freestyle events:

🏊 800m Freestyle — Finalist (5th)
🏊 1500m Freestyle — Finalist (6th)

Tiana’s appearance in two Commonwealth Games finals, including reaching her first individual Commonwealth Games final in the 1500m Freestyle, is a remarkable milestone and a reflection of her continued growth as an athlete.

Her breakthrough 2026 season has been a reflection of her dedication, determination and continued growth as an athlete. We know this is only the beginning for Tiana, and we can’t wait to see her continue to represent Rackley Swimming and Australia on the world stage.

A celebration of Rackley Swimming excellence

Together, Meg, Sam and Tiana contributed an incredible 10 Commonwealth Games gold medals, an achievement that reflects years of hard work, dedication and commitment from everyone involved in their journey.

A special congratulations also goes to Head Coach Damian Jones, whose athletes combined for 10 gold medals at these Games, a phenomenal coaching achievement and a testament to the world-class high-performance program at Rackley Swim Team.

From the athletes who competed at the Australian Swimming Trials, to those who continue to push themselves every day across our programs, squads and venues, these achievements represent the strength and depth of the Rackley Swimming community.

Australia’s swimming team delivered a historic campaign in Glasgow, claiming 37 gold medals in the pool, showcasing the strength of Australian swimming on the international stage.

To Meg, Sam, Tiana and every Rackley athlete who has chased their goals this season, thank you for inspiring our swimmers, our families and our entire community.

You have proudly represented Rackley Swimming, Queensland and Australia, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Once a Rackley swimmer, always part of the Rackley family 💙💚💛

What an incredible day for the Miami Aquatic Centre community as swimmers, families, coaches, staff and supporters came together for Swim For A Cure, a meaningful event that showcased the incredible strength and generosity of the aquatic community.

Held in partnership with JAYD Swimwear and Cure Cancer Australia, Swim For A Cure was organised by Madi in honour of her late father, who sadly passed away from cancer in August last year. The event was created to celebrate his life while raising vital funds to support cancer research and continue Madi’s mission of making a difference.

More than 200 people attended the event, with 120 participants taking on the ocean swim, bringing together members of the Miami Aquatic Centre community, Rackley Swimming staff, coaches, swimmers and supporters from across the Gold Coast.

The day began with the premiere of a special short documentary sharing Madi’s story, the inspiration behind Swim For A Cure, and her incredible journey as she prepares to take on the challenge of swimming the English Channel in September. Through this challenge, Madi will continue raising funds and awareness for Cure Cancer Australia.

The event was a powerful reminder of what makes our aquatic community so special, the ability to come together, support one another and make a positive impact beyond the pool.

Together, the Swim For A Cure community raised an incredible $50,000+ for Cure Cancer Australia, helping contribute to life-changing cancer research and supporting a cause that has touched so many lives.

City Venue Management is incredibly proud to be part of a community that embraces initiatives like Swim For A Cure. Events such as these highlight the compassion, connection and community spirit that exists within our aquatic facilities and the people who make them so special.

We would like to thank everyone who participated, donated, volunteered and supported the event. Your generosity helped create a truly memorable day for the Miami Aquatic Centre community.

We wish Madi all the very best as she continues her preparation for her English Channel challenge in September. We’ll be cheering her on every step, and stroke, of the way. 🌊

Together, we swim stronger.

The Rackley Swimming Centenary National Pathway Squad recently travelled north to Rockhampton for a unique training camp experience, combining high-performance preparation with regional connection.

Fourteen swimmers from Centenary, all part of Rackley’s National Pathway Squad, spent the week training at the iconic Rockhampton 2nd World War Memorial Pool, embracing the opportunity to step outside their usual training environment and experience a different style of preparation.

Led by Coach Dan Busch, with support from Kelly from Rackley East Brisbane, the camp provided swimmers with the chance to develop as athletes, strengthen team culture and continue building the skills required on their performance journey.

Sometimes the best preparation comes from changing the environment. Taking our swimmers to a regional community, training at a local pool and immersing themselves in the experience provided a valuable reminder that growth happens both in and out of the water.

The team also enjoyed exploring the Rockhampton region, including a visit to Koorana Crocodile Farm, creating opportunities for connection, learning and memories beyond the pool deck.

The camp was a significant step in the journey for these athletes, with:
– 14 Centenary National Pathway Squad swimmers attending
– 1 swimmer preparing for Junior Pan Pacific Championships later this year
– 2 swimmers heading to Canberra this week for the Next Wave Invitational, a week-long program of training and racing for Australia’s next generation of swimmers

This was the first Rockhampton camp experience for the Centenary squad, building on the long-standing connection Coach Damien Jones has developed with the region through previous high-performance camps.

A huge thank you to the Rockhampton swimming community for welcoming our team and supporting another important step in our athletes’ journey.

Last week, City Venue Management welcomed team members from across the organisation to The Glen Hotel & Suites for Citypedia 2026, an annual conference dedicated to learning, collaboration and connection.

Bringing together leaders and teams from across our diverse business, Citypedia provides an opportunity to reflect, share ideas and align on the future as we continue to grow and strengthen our culture.

Investing in Our People

At City Venue Management, we know our success is built on the passion, knowledge and commitment of our people. Citypedia is a reflection of our ongoing investment in creating opportunities for development, encouraging collaboration and fostering a culture where individuals and teams can thrive.

Through shared learning and meaningful conversations, the conference reinforces our commitment to delight, engage and grow together.

Learning from World-Class Experience

A highlight of the day was hearing from special guest speaker Toby Jenkins OLY, whose unique blend of lived experience, world-class frameworks and evidence-based tools provided valuable insights into leadership, mindset, performance and values.

Drawing on his experiences as an Olympian, elite performance coach and entrepreneur, Toby challenged attendees to think differently about achieving success and thriving in high-pressure environments.

Looking Ahead to FY27

Throughout the conference, leaders from across the business shared updates and outlined their vision and priorities for FY27.

Presentations from Kirsty Davies (Chief Financial Officer), Jay De Lee (Senior Accountant), Shani Gold (Director of Programs & Partnerships), Nick Myler (Director of Operations), Anastasia Ellerby (Director of Aquatic Sport Pathways) and Cameron Speechley (Director of Swim Schools) highlighted the exciting opportunities and strategic direction across our programs and operations.

Our executive leadership team, including Jay Clarke (Chief Executive Officer), Nicky Sloan (Chief Operating Officer) and Alana Jones (Chief Marketing Officer), also shared insights into the broader direction of the business and the opportunities ahead as City Venue Management heads confidently into FY27.

Strengthening Our Culture

Citypedia 2026 was made possible through the efforts of many people, with special thanks to Ashley Inns for bringing together another exceptional conference experience. Through thoughtful planning and execution, Ashley created an engaging and inspiring day that showcased the strength of our culture and the power of bringing our people together.

As City Venue Management continues to grow, our commitment to learning, inclusion and development remains at the heart of everything we do.

Because when our people thrive, our communities thrive.

Delight. Engage. Grow.

At City Venue Management and Rackley Swimming, we believe that learning to swim is more than just a life skill, it’s a fundamental opportunity that every child deserves.

That’s why, since 2025, Rackley Swimming has proudly partnered with the AWSOM Project to help deliver life-saving swimming and water safety education to children in Vietnam through the Survive and Thrive Program.

The program provides children with disabilities access to swimming and water safety lessons, helping them build confidence, develop essential skills, and reduce the risk of drowning. Recognising that transportation can often be a barrier to participation, the program also provides transport assistance to ensure children can safely attend their lessons.

As part of our ongoing commitment to water safety, each Rackley Swimming and City Venue Management venue sponsors a child through the Survive and Thrive Program. This support helps create opportunities for children who may otherwise never have access to formal swimming education.

For many Australians, swimming lessons are a normal part of growing up. However, for thousands of children around the world, access to swimming and water safety education remains out of reach. Through our partnership with AWSOM, we’re helping change that reality one child at a time.

Every child deserves the chance to feel safe and confident around water. Together, we can help create a future where more children have access to the skills they need not only to survive but to thrive.

How You Can Help

For just $62, you can sponsor a child for an entire year of swimming and water safety lessons through the AWSOM Project’s Survive and Thrive Program.

Your support can help provide access to life-changing education and give a child the opportunity to learn skills that could one day save their life.

To learn more or sponsor a child, visit:
https://www.awsomproject.com/surviveandthrive

Together, we’re working towards a world where every child has access to water safety education — because every child deserves water safety.