November 2026 Newsletter
- Holiday Operating Hours
- Programs End-of-Year Reminder
- Early Closure on Friday 4 December
- School Programs Update
- A Reminder to Dry Off
- Crunch Café Holiday Trading Hours
- Introducing Strong & Steady
- Become a Swim Teacher in 2027
- Pride in Sport Survey
- Gymnastics Wins Children’s Program of the Year
- Tilly Wong Named Aqua Professional of the Year
- Carl Ooi Highly Commended for Swim Teacher of the Year
- Social Sport: Celebrating a Successful Season
- Pilates by the Lake Recap
Holiday Operating Hours
MUSAC will operate with adjusted opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period. Please check the schedule below when planning your visit.
| Dates | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| 21–24 December | 5:30am–10pm |
| 25–26 December | Closed |
| 27–31 December | 7am–3pm |
| Friday 1 January | Closed |
| Saturday 2–Sunday 3 January | Regular weekend hours resume: 6am–7pm |
| From Monday 4 January | Regular weekday hours resume: 5:30am–10pm |
Thank you for your support throughout the year. We wish you a safe and happy festive season and look forward to welcoming you in 2027.
Programs End-of-Year Reminder
For participants enrolled in Learn to Swim, Gymnastics and Squads, the final day of programs for the year will be Sunday 20 December 2026. Programs will resume on Monday 18 January 2027.
Eligible replacement sessions expire 30 program days after the missed class. The holiday break, from 21 December to 17 January inclusive, will not count towards this expiry period.
Please remember to use your eligible replacement sessions before they expire.
Thank you for your participation throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2027.
Early Closure on Friday 4 December
MUSAC will close early on Friday 4 December 2026 for our annual staff end-of-year celebration.
Please note the following changes:
- Last entry: 6pm
- Health Club and halls close: 6:45pm
- Pools close: 6:45pm
- Programs finish: 7pm
- Centre closes: 7pm
Normal operations will resume at 6am on Saturday 5 December.
We appreciate your understanding as we recognise our staff and their contribution throughout the year. Thank you for being part of the MUSAC community.
School Programs Update
Our School Programs continue to grow, with Term 4 swimming and school sport programs underway. We are working with schools to provide engaging, inclusive sporting experiences that encourage physical activity, skill development and participation among young people.
During this period, members may notice more school groups around the centre, changes to changeroom access and varied pool availability. Please check pool availability online when planning your visit.
We appreciate your understanding as we support opportunities for young people to get active.
Schools interested in swimming programs, sport programs, gala day support or other physical activity initiatives can contact our Social Sport & School Sports Coordinator on 9850 9415 to discuss a program tailored to their needs.
A Reminder to Dry Off
After your swim, please take a moment to towel off before leaving the pool area and entering the rest of the centre.
Drying off helps keep floors dry and reduces the risk of slips, making the centre safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Thank you for helping us look after our shared spaces.
Crunch Café Holiday Trading Hours
Crunch Café will operate with adjusted trading hours over the Christmas and New Year period. Please check the schedule below when planning your visit.
| Dates | Trading hours |
|---|---|
| 21–23 December | 7am–3pm |
| Thursday 24 December | 7am–1pm |
| 25 December–3 January | Closed |
| 4–17 January | 7am–3pm |
| From Monday 18 January | Normal trading hours resume: 7am–6:30pm |
Introducing Strong & Steady
Strong & Steady is our new class designed to build strength, improve balance and stability, and reduce the risk of falls through practical, functional movement.
Suitable for older adults and anyone looking to improve their confidence with everyday activities, these supportive 45-minute sessions focus on strength, coordination, falls prevention and safe movement techniques, including getting up and down from the floor.
Exercises can be adapted to suit different abilities and fitness levels.
Class details
- Dates: Wednesdays, 28 October–9 December
- Time: 10am, for 45 minutes
- Location: Martial Arts Studio
- Instructor: Ernie
- Capacity: 15 participants
Become a Swim Teacher in 2027
Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre will host a Swim Teacher Course on Sunday 10 January 2027.
Whether you are considering a career change, seeking flexible work or looking to make a difference in your community, becoming a qualified swim teacher offers a rewarding opportunity.
Swim teachers help people of all ages develop essential water safety skills, build confidence in the water and achieve lasting milestones.
Becoming a swim teacher offers opportunities to:
- Make a positive difference in children’s and adults’ lives.
- Develop teaching and communication skills.
- Explore flexible employment opportunities.
- Join the aquatic industry.
- Turn an interest in swimming into meaningful work.
The course may suit university students seeking casual work, parents returning to the workforce, retirees seeking a new challenge or anyone passionate about swim education.
Places are limited. Register through SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia.
Pride in Sport Survey
As a Platinum Member of Pride in Sport Australia, Macquarie University Sport is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Our General Manager, Bruno Toppini, shares:
“We want to ensure our centre is a safe and inclusive space for everyone, and that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
We invite you to complete the anonymous Pride in Sport Survey and help us identify opportunities to improve inclusion at Macquarie. Your feedback will also contribute to better practices across Australia’s sport and recreation industry.
Complete the Pride in Sport Survey by 11.59pm on Friday 18 December 2026.
Gymnastics Wins Children’s Program of the Year
Macquarie University Gymnastics Club has been named Children’s Program of the Year at the 2026 ARI NSW Awards of Excellence, recognising its contribution to children’s sport and recreation.
The award celebrates our commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and engaging environment where children from as young as 12 months can develop confidence, coordination and resilience while building a lifelong love of physical activity.
With a focus on individual development and accessibility, our program provides opportunities for children of different abilities, including tailored sessions for children with hearing and vision impairments. The program continues to grow, with enrolments increasing from 461 at the beginning of 2026 to 636 in August.
This recognition reflects the dedication of our Gymnastics team and their commitment to quality coaching and supporting every child.
It also reflects the ongoing support of our Gymnastics families. Thank you for trusting us with your children’s development and helping us build a welcoming community where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
Congratulations to our team and families on this shared achievement.
For information about enrolling your child, email gymnastics@mq.edu.au or book an assessment through the Customer Web Portal. Assessment bookings are available up to one week in advance.
Tilly Wong Named Aqua Professional of the Year
Tilly Wong has been named Aqua Professional of the Year at the 2026 AUSactive National Awards, held at Sydney Town Hall in September.
The award recognises Tilly’s enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to members. She consistently delivers high-quality, engaging classes and supports her colleagues, regularly stepping in to provide class cover.
Tilly recently celebrated nine years of service at MUSAC, and we are proud to see her contribution recognised nationally.
MUSAC and its team were also recognised as finalists in the following categories:
- MUSAC: Multiservice Business of the Year and People’s Choice Business of the Year
- Duane Berg: Group Exercise Instructor and/or Leader of the Year
- Tilly Wong: People’s Choice Registered Professional of the Year
This was MUSAC’s third consecutive year as a national finalist in the Multiservice Business of the Year category.
These achievements reflect the consistently high standards our team delivers across our programs and services. Congratulations to Tilly and all our finalists.
Carl Ooi Highly Commended for Swim Teacher of the Year
Carl Ooi has received Highly Commended recognition for Swim Teacher of the Year at the ARI NSW Awards, placing him among the top five finalists in New South Wales.
This recognition reflects the dedication, expertise and care Carl brings to every lesson. Alongside teaching swimming skills, he helps swimmers build confidence, overcome fears and develop positive experiences in the water.
Carl’s achievement also reflects the quality of MUSAC’s Learn to Swim program. Our team is committed to providing safe, engaging and personalised lessons that support each swimmer’s development, from their first lessons through to more advanced skills.
Through experienced instructors, a strong focus on water safety and a supportive learning environment, we help children develop the skills and confidence to become safer swimmers.
Thank you to our Learn to Swim families for your continued trust and support. If friends, family members or colleagues are looking for swimming lessons for their children, we welcome you to share your experience and recommend our program.
Congratulations, Carl, on this well-deserved recognition.
Social Sport: Celebrating a Successful Season
As our Semester 2 Social Sport competitions conclude, we congratulate all participating teams on another successful season.
Your enthusiasm, commitment, teamwork and sportsmanship contributed to strong participation and an enjoyable atmosphere across all sports.
Special congratulations to our 2026 Daylight Savings Competition premiers:
| Competition | Premiers |
|---|---|
| Monday Netball | Bibs and Baddies |
| Tuesday Netball | Passholes |
| Wednesday Netball | WM1 |
| Tuesday Touch | DLC Dolphins |
| Volleyball Division 1 | Setters of Catan |
| Volleyball Division 2 | Wii Tennis 3.0 |
| Soccer Division A | DLC Earthworms |
| Soccer Division B | Dill Dough FC |
| Soccer Division C | The Creamers |
| Soccer Division D | Chippy Chips |
| Basketball | DLC Kangaroos |
We also acknowledge our runners-up and thank all participating teams for contributing to a competitive and enjoyable season.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another season of Social Sport, with more opportunities to get active, build friendships and enjoy playing together.
Pilates by the Lake
On Sunday 25 October, we welcomed new and familiar participants to Pilates by the Lake for a morning of gentle movement outdoors.
Fine weather provided an ideal setting to move, stretch and unwind by the lake.
Thank you to our instructors for leading the session and to everyone who joined us and helped make it such an enjoyable morning.
As always, if you have any feedback for us, we would love to receive it – the good, the bad and the ugly.
If you have a submission you’d like to make about how we can improve our facility or our services, feel free to share via the online feedback form.
And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
Yours in health and fitness,
Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre Team