Meet Melissa

Founder • Swim School Director • Aquatic Educator

Swimming and aquatics have been at the heart of my professional life for more than 30 years.

Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience across learn-to-swim instruction, lifesaving, aquatic supervision and management, swim coaching, fitness, inclusion and community recreation.

This broad background has given me an understanding of the complete swimming journey — from a child's and adults very first experience in the water through to stroke development, advanced swimming and lifelong aquatic fitness.

Above all, I believe every swimmer is an individual. My experience allows me to adapt my teaching to each person's ability, confidence, learning style and goals, creating an environment where swimmers can feel safe, supported and proud of their progress.

Professional Experience

20+ Years — Swim School Owner & Swimming Instructor
More than 20 years operating my own swim school and personally teaching children across a wide range of ages, abilities and stages of swimming development.

21 Years — Senior Lifeguard, Aquafit, 17 years - Adults Learn to Swim – Campbelltown Catholic Club
More than two decades of experience in aquatic safety, pool supervision, risk awareness and professional lifeguarding.

20 Years — SLSO & Swimming Instructor, Mary Brooksbank School
Extensive experience supporting and teaching students with additional and special needs, adapting swimming instruction to each student's individual abilities, confidence and learning requirements.

6 Years — Can Too Charity Swim Coach – Ocean Swim Pool Coach
Six years coaching and preparing swimmers in the pool for ocean-swimming events through Can Too, helping participants develop their swimming technique, endurance, fitness and confidence as they worked towards their individual ocean-swimming goals.

7 Years — Leisure Centre Supervisor, Campbelltown Leisure Services
Professional experience supervising leisure centre operations, aquatic programs, staff, safety and customer service within a community aquatic environment.

Awards & Recognition

I am proud to have received recognition from AUSTSWIM for my commitment to swimming education and inclusive teaching:

AUSTSWIM NSW Teacher of the Year

AUSTSWIM NSW Teacher of Special Needs

These awards hold a very special place in my career and reflect something I strongly believe in — every swimmer deserves the opportunity to learn, progress and experience success in the water.

Qualifications & Current Licences

My professional qualifications and licences include:

Corby Holdings Pty Limited ACN 111 395 129

WWC employee and Employer

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety, Current

• AUSTSWIM Infant & Preschool Aquatics, Current

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Aquatics Access & Inclusion, Current

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults

• Royal Life Saving Pool Lifeguard, Current

• National Swimming Coach

• Certificate III in Fitness

• Group Exercise & Aqua Fitness

• Registered Fitness Instructor, Current

• Diploma in Community Recreation Management

• Certificate II in Pool Operations

• Certificate IV in Aquatic Management

A Few Fun Facts About Melissa

Behind the qualifications, coaching and many years spent poolside, there is a little more to know about me.

One of My Proudest Swimming Achievements

One of the most rewarding experiences of my coaching career was helping a woman in her 50s progress from being able to swim just 50 metres to completing a challenging 1 km ocean swim at Bondi.

Watching her achieve something that once seemed so far beyond her reach was incredibly special.

It is moments like this that remind me why I love teaching and coaching. Success isn't always about being the fastest swimmer. Sometimes the greatest achievement is having the courage to begin, believing in yourself and discovering just how much you are capable of.

A Favourite Swimming Memory

One of my favourite swimming memories is competing at State when I was 13 years old at North Sydney Olympic Pool. ( without squad Training )

Swimming and water have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I will always be grateful to my Dad for giving me a childhood surrounded by water — whether we were at the ocean, swimming pool or river.

My Greatest Achievement

Away from swimming, my greatest achievement — and what I am most grateful for — is being a mother to four beautiful children.

Now I have another very special role in my life: being a grandmother.

When I'm away from the pool, one of my greatest joys is spending precious time with my new grandson and enjoying those special family moments.

A Few of My Favourite Things

Life doesn't always have to be about swimming!

I appreciate the simple pleasures — good coffee, beautiful flowers, chocolate, animals and a beautiful mature red Shiraz.

And, spending time with the people I love.

Words I Live By

After more than 30 years around swimming, along with all the experiences, challenges, achievements and wonderful people I've met along the way, there is one simple saying that means a great deal to me:

“Enjoy the Journey.”

Because whether it's swimming or life, sometimes the journey and the people we share it with become the most meaningful part of all.