Swimming Sensation: Mandy’s Successful Virtual Rottnest Swim!
Mandy is a visually impaired Paralympic swimmer and a Supported Employee at Workpower Bentley. She showcased her determined spirit and swimming skills in the Virtual Rottnest Swim held on Saturday, February 24th.
The Virtual Rottnest Swim offers an alternative experience to the traditional Rottnest Channel Swim, spanning 19.7km from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island.
Held at Belmont Oasis Swimming Pool, the event fosters inclusivity for both able-bodied and disabled participants who are more comfortable swimming in a pool than in the ocean. This year’s Rottnest Swim was cancelled due to bad weather conditions, so the indoor alternative worked in Mandy’s favour.
The Rotto swim rules remained unchanged despite the different settings and cancelation.
Mandy was part of a team of four swimmers. The team took turns to complete a minimum of 500 meters each, starting from 6:30 am through to late afternoon.
For Mandy, this wasn't her first encounter with the "Rotto" swim, having competed in previous years. Mandy has found her rhythm in the pool as it is tailored for individuals with disabilities.
Mandy's dedication to swimming extends far beyond this event.
Her notorious swimming career spans nearly four decades, marked by numerous awards and achievements.
Notably, Mandy represented Australia as a Paralympian at the Seoul Paralympics in 1988, where she won two bronze medals and one silver medal for the visually impaired category.
Her competitive spirit and determination lead her to to surpass her competitors.
As Mandy's proud mother, Rosie, reminisced, "In Korea, she stated she would 'beat the Swedish girl next time,' which she did at the Paralympics in Barcelona 1992.”
“She then went on be awarded the Order of Australia medal."
When Mandy was awarded in the prestigious Order of Australia medal, her achievements continued to soar.
This achievement was further celebrated as she carried the Sydney Olympic flame through the streets of Rockingham, escorted by the police, despite her deteriorating eyesight.
Despite all of her achievements, Mandy has no plans to slow down!
Her training schedule includes sessions at Coogee Beach every Sunday morning with Masters Belmont, with training at the Oasis Pool every Monday and Wednesday night.
Workpower extends a heartfelt congratulations to Mandy for her remarkable achievements. Her determination and success shine beyond the pool, and at work too. We are truly privileged to have her as part of the team at Workpower Bentley.
Individuals interested in joining the Workpower team are encouraged to reach out to us on info@workpower.asn.au or call us on 1800 610 665 for more information and to explore the exciting opportunities that await!
For media inquiries or further details, please contact Workpower’s Marketing team on marketing@workpower.asn.au.