Swimming with Support
The Busselton Jetty Swim is known as a swim for everybody, but when Mandy, a housemate in our Supported Independent Living program, completed the event recently, it wasn’t just a personal achievement — it was a celebration of everything that makes life feel full, connected and fun.
This was Mandy’s fifth time taking part in Western Australia’s favourite open water swim and a proud reminder that with the right support, goals can keep growing, no matter your age or stage of life.
A Swim for Everybody
The Busselton Jetty Swim is known for being truly inclusive, with 5,500 swimmers taking part across various events throughout the morning. Huge crowds lined the jetty and beach areas, cheering on participants from around the nation.
The signature 3.6km solo swim and One Mile Swim to Shore were held on Sunday 8 February, with entry decided by an online ballot. Mandy secured her place and took on the swim to shore alongside her guide Sharon (pictured above).
Mandy had been training for months, swimming every Monday and Wednesday night, with extra Sunday morning sessions added as the event got closer. Our Supported Independent Living crew were right there with her, helping her get to the pool and cheering her on through every lap.
Those Sunday sessions were something special. Mandy was picked up at 6:15am and driven to Coogee Beach, where she trained in the ocean, swimming 750 metres from jetty to jetty and back again. Some mornings were calm, others were rough — but each one helped her get used to open water conditions. Afterwards, the group would grab coffee and toasties before heading home around 11am. Training, connection and a little bit of fun all rolled into one.
Training, Teamwork and a Lot of Cheers
Despite her swim being scheduled for Sunday, the support started long before she hit the water. Mandy travelled down to Busselton on Friday morning with her swimming friends, settling in for a big weekend ahead.
Surrounded by these friends and backed by her family, Mandy felt the support every step of the way. The crowd along the jetty and beach made it hard to squeeze through at times, but the cheers were constant. Her mum Rosie made the big drive down just to be there for the day, proudly watching Mandy swim from start to finish.
Sharon later shared that she could barely keep up with the pace Mandy was setting in the water — a true testament to the strength and consistency she’s built through months of training.
A Lifelong Love of Swimming
Swimming has always been part of Mandy’s story. A former Paralympian, she represented Australia at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, winning two bronze medals and a silver. Four years later in Barcelona, she added two more medals to her tally, earning her the Medal of the Order of Australia. Today, she continues to swim not for medals, but for the joy, health and connection it brings.
That same sense of comfort and confidence extends to Mandy’s home with Crosslinks. She moved into our Supported Independent Living program in February 2025 and her mum noticed the positive differences straight away.
“Mandy has never been so happy in her supported independent living home before,” Rosie shared. “The staff are so attentive, and she’s now got friends like Ellen and Lisa, who she adores.”
Mandy settled in quickly, forming a close friendship with her housemate Ellen and filling her weeks with meaningful routines — from work and appointments to coffee catch-ups, dancing, and regular swims at Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre.
When Support Makes Goals Possible
One of Mandy’s biggest goals is to keep swimming. With consistent, reliable disability support from Crosslinks, Mandy has been able to keep up her training and complete events just like the Busselton Jetty Swim.
It’s a powerful example of what supported independent living in Perth can look like when people are genuinely listened to and supported to do what they love.
Inspired by Mandy’s story?
If you want to know more about how we could support someone to keep doing what they love, we’d love a chat! Call us on (08) 9374 1600, or fill out our enquiry form to have one of our team contact you.