Two long-time colleagues, united by their love of swimming and water safety, have spent their careers not only teaching students to swim but also shaping the future of water safety education.
Over the years, they have guided countless young swimmers, earned numerous awards for their contributions to aquatic education, and shared their expertise through workshops across Australia and overseas.
Their passion extends beyond the pool, as they are dedicated in sharing their knowledge to swim teachers to equip their students with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to the many different aquatic environments they may encounter.
From oceans, lakes, rivers, and dams to the dangers of accidental falls or overturned boats, their mission has always been to ensure community members understand both the joy of swimming and the importance of respecting water in all its forms.
Introducing: Leanne White
Swimming was my chosen sport throughout childhood and adolescence, and at 16 I began teaching under my former coach. I qualified as a Swim Teacher in 1979, advanced to Coach in 1981, and became a Trainer in 1998. Teaching swimming soon became my career pathway. I continued coaching until 2000 and continue to lead a swim school to the present day.
Over time, it became clear our industry needed to rethink how we approached swimming and water safety. Waiting each year for drowning statistics highlighted that more had to be done. While most teaching takes place in controlled environments, many drownings occur in open water. The Simulated Open Water Program addresses this gap.
As a trainer, I feel privileged to mentor new teachers and reinforce that water safety must remain central across all aquatic disciplines.
My work has been recognised through industry awards, including:
• VICSWIM Contribution to Swimming & Water Safety (1998)
• VAIC Teacher of Swimming & Water Safety (2001)
• Outstanding Community Aquatic Program – Junior Lifeguard Club (2002)
• RLSSA Most Valuable Services Rendered
• Program of the Year – SOWP (2008)
• Excellence in Middle Management (2011)
• AUSTSWIM Victorian Presenter Award (2014)
• AUSTSWIM Most Outstanding Contribution (2019)
• AUSTSWIM Swim School of the Year (2024)
A recent highlight has been contributing to New Zealand’s Water Safety for Life program. Looking ahead, I believe we must continue working together, developing creative approaches, and ensuring water safety education reaches every community.
Introducing: Gail Dimitriadis
With more than 40 years of experience as an AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety, I have specialised as both an Infant and Preschool Teacher and an Access and Inclusion Teacher, dedicating my career to advancing Aquatic Education and Drowning Prevention.
For the past 25 years I have served as an AUSTSWIM Trainer, mentoring teachers across Australia and internationally to lift the standard of aquatic education. My contributions have been recognised through a number of awards, including:
• 2001 – Inaugural AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant and Preschool, Teacher of the Year
• 2003 – AUSTSWIM Teacher of Access and Inclusion, Teacher of the Year
• 2003 – AUSTSWIM Program of the Year for the Access and Inclusion Program for Children and Young
Adults
• 2014 – AUSTSWIM Award for Most Outstanding Contribution
For the past 15 years I have partnered with Leanne White to deliver the Simulated Open Water Program, presenting nationally at AUSTSWIM conferences and at Victorian teacher training events. Internationally, we supported the development of New Zealand’s Water Safety for Life – Simulated Open Water Program, training staff across the country to strengthen aquatic safety education.
My passion for aquatic safety remains strong. I continue to contribute through emergency response work at my local Aquatic Centre and through ongoing presentations as an AUSTSWIM Trainer, guided by the belief that swimming and water safety are essential life skills for all.