A passionate advocate for swimming Mary Wood, along with her more famous partner, Australia’s super coach Ken Wood, worked tirelessly for the betterment of the sport. The couple first met in the late 1970s and went on to become a famous partnership, only terminated by Mary’s untimely death in July 2015. She started her career as a Learn to Swim teacher, turning multitudes of novices of all ages into accomplished swimmers.
In 1989, she was appointed Head Coach of the World Deaf Olympics and in the same year she became Australian Coach of the Year. She lectured regularly on swimming for both AUSTSWIM and the Queensland Swimming Association and was awarded an Institute of Sport Achievement plaque in 1989.
An accomplished singer she was a member of both the Redcliffe Multitude and Greensleeves Choirs. She was also a founding member of the Dance-a-lots, a local entertainment group.
Mary Wood is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: