Published Tue, 1 July 2025
Step inside Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre to find a space where lives are changed.
The centre has recently been awarded NSW Venue of the Year as well as the prestigious Belgravia Foundation award for one of its most heartwarming achievements, the Ukrainian Aquatic Program, a partnership with STARTTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) at the 2025 Belgravia Leisure Awards.
The Ukrainian Aquatic Program was born from listening to the needs of newly arrived refugees, especially women, who were facing isolation and anxiety after displacement. The solution? Gentle aqua aerobics classes that offered both physical activity and a safe space to heal and build confidence together.
An initial 10-week pilot has grown into 14 months (and counting) of free weekly classes, thanks to ITAC’s ongoing support. The program has been so successful that the Ukrainian Council of NSW joined the effort, funding a Learn to Swim program to help even more refugees feel at home in the water.
Centre Manager, Isabella Clifton, shared her excitement:
“Seeing Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre surpassing its goals this year has been such a rewarding achievement. To then be recognised among so many great and competitive venues made the experience even more incredible.”
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre isn’t just a place to swim: it’s a place where lives are improved and community thrives. Visit to discover what makes them Belgravia Leisure’s NSW Venue of the Year and the Belgravia Foundation award winner.
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