Vale Swimming Australia Life Member Dr Tony Woodhouse

FOR some, their passion becomes a family affair that builds a sporting dynasty across multiple members of different generations.

Australia’s rich swimming history has been linked to the name Woodhouse for half a century and today Swimming Australia mourns the passing of Tony Woodhouse (pictured) – father, grandfather, and father-in-law of five Australian Dolphins: Susie Woodhouse (#311), Rob Woodhouse (#310), David McKeon (#721), Emma McKeon (#702) and Ron McKeon (#272).

Dr Woodhouse believed in the transformative and restorative power of swimming, and as an Australian swimming team selector for more than two decades from 1989 through to 2010, also believed that Australia could punch above its weight to become the world’s best swimming nation.

A life member of Swimming Australia, Dr Woodhouse passed away on September 1, aged 90 and is survived by his wife Jenny, five children, 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Dr Woodhouse, who served on multiple club, Victorian and Australian swimming committees from 1974 through to 2010, was also:

• Life member Swimming Victoria;
• Life member Swimming Australia;
• Life member of the North Balwyn, Melbourne Aquatic and Melbourne-Vicentre swimming clubs;
• Awarded the Australian Sports Medal 2000;
• Awarded Australian Coaches Association ‘Service to Swimming’ award in 2011
• Ran the Queen’s Baton relay at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

His passion for swimming, in and out of the water, lives on in Swimming Australia’s CEO Rob, an LA Olympic bronze medallist, daughter Susie – a 1982 Commonwealth games swimmer, his son-in-law and dual Olympian Ron McKeon – and the McKeon’s children David and Emma.

David represented Australia at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics while Emma went on to become Australia’s greatest Olympian winning 14 medals over three Olympics – including six gold.