Andrew Blaidon

Kerre Burley

Maria Burn

As the daughter of a swim coach, Kerre Burley literally cut her teeth on the side of the pool. She began teaching infant and babies at the tender age of 12. She has been pool side for over 36 years.

She is a recognized international aquatic speaker, consultant and swim school owner. Her unique mentoring & consulting organisations includes online membership “Masters of the Aquatic Industry” and her unique Webinars allows her to assist swim teachers from all over the world.

Knowledge, skills and practical experience wrapped up with an abundance of passion establish a great foundation for a motivating and educating session.  Maria has been acknowledged by many organisations for her work in the aquatic disability field. As an AUSTSWIM teacher, presenter and Inclusive facilitator on the WETS team, Maria is able to demonstrate her philosophy that “all participants deserve to achieve, feel safe and enjoy the aquatic environment”. 

Matt Claridge

Michael Darben

Karen Franchini

Matt is General Manager for Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ).  He has worked with WSNZ for over five years, initially as a Project Manager.  Prior to WSNZ he was a Regional Development Manager for Swimming New Zealand.

Richard Franklin

Kath Georgiou

Alina Graham

Dr. Richard Franklin is the National Manager for Research and Health Promotion with Royal Life Saving Society Australia. He has undertaken a range of water safety related researchand published a number of articles and reports on water safety. He has a PhD in public health fromt he University of Sydney.

Katherine has been involved in the aquatic industry for the past 10 years and is currently coordinating Education Programs at Life Saving Victoria.

Katherine’s aquatic experiences include; coordinating a large swim school in NSW, as well as instructing and supervising all levels of learn to swim and squads. She is an experienced assessor for AUSTSWIM and is currently undertaking her training to present AUSTSWIM Courses.

Greg Hodge

Jean Kemp

Meredith King

Greg has had over 30 years continuous experience in teaching and coaching swimming at all levels, from infant aquatics, to international athletes.

Greg has spent the last 5 years in Dubai working with the UAE swim federation at all levels and for the past 3 years has run his own swim club and presented AUSTSWIM courses for teaching and competitive strokes.

Greg is currently the Swimming Performance Manager for WAIS.

Jean has been involved in the aquatic industry for more than 50 years starting as a teenager. Jean presents statewide for AUSTSWIM in all five areas and for Life Saving Victoria. She is regional coordinator for VICSWIM and coordinates the holiday programs for the Gippsland area.

Jean and her family have an indoor heated pool in rural Victoria and have 1,200 participants per week, working with all ages from 6 months to 83 [our oldest swimmer]

Jean lecturers at university and was a PE teacher and Integration Coordinator for 44 years and was awarded the Australian Sports Award in 2000 and the British Commonwealth Life Saving award in 2004. She also a life member of both primary and secondary school sports associations for her work towards including all students, some with disabilities in sports programs.

Jean specializes in disability aquatics with her current focus on Early Childhood Intervention through aquatics for infants with disabilities or developmental delay.

Kirsten Kruse

Penny Larsen

Penny Larsen is the National Manager Education and Training for Royal Life Saving Australia. Her position involves developing resources and training initiatives for the water safety programs including Infant Aquatics, Swim and Survive, Bronze Rescue and Junior Life Guard.

Penny's experience in aquatics spans over 20 years and she is passionate about quality aquatic programs with a focus on water safety, survival and lifesaving skills.

Dawn has been a member of AUSTSWIM since it's commencement in 1979 and is a Fellow of AUSTSWIM NSW, Royal Life Saving Advanced Examiner, a level 2 silver coach, AUSTSWIM Lecturer in all courses Life Member of Federation of Infant Schools Clubs and a Life member of Cundletown Swimming Club.

Dawn has 35 years experience with NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and 36 years coordinating and coaching classes for Greater Taree City Council.

She has worked in the 'field of play' at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games and supervisor of coaching area at the Commonwealth Games.

Marcelle Renforth - Frederick

Jennifer Shembri- Portelli

Carolyn Veldhuyzen

JSP is Australia's leading aquatic trainer and highly sought-after presenter. She is considered to be a pioneer in the areas of water exercise – aqua, wellness and disability. Working with hundreds of leaders, companies and a wide variety of national organisations over the last twenty years has given JSP a unique insight into, and understanding of, water exercise and all its variables. JSP has an ability to educate, inspire, challenge and make people laugh all at the same time!

Jenny Verall

Sue Warner

Ben Whibley

Jenny Verrall presently works as a School Sport Corordinator in Darwin, responsible for organising the interschool sport and representative teams for 19 schools. Qualified as a PE teacher, she has been involved in a wide range of sport at all levels - competing, officiating, administrating, coaching and mentoring.

Her interest in Aquatic Education began at an early age when as a competitive swimmer she began teaching kids after training on a Saturday morning. For many years Jenny has conducted her own Aquatic Awareness Programs in her back yard pool as well as coaching elite swimmers at state level.

Her passion however is with infant aquatics, to see those little faces as they learn to enjoy the water as much as her and to provide the beginner swimmers with a set of skills that will develop there enjoyment in the aquatic environment.

Sue Warner Bio

I was born and lived in WA until 2003 when we moved to Queensland. I am married with 4 nearly adult children (20, 19, 17 & 16).

I have been teaching swimming since 1994. I have always swum, so teaching was not a problem.  I had decided in 2001 I wanted more hence becoming a presenter. 

Leanne White

Andrew Plint

Leanne is the aquatic director for Ballarat YMCA.  She is a foundation member of the Y’s Aquatic Task Force, is recognised as a specialist in regional aquatic services where her 18+ years experience nurtures and assists the develop of aquatics throughout regional Victoria.  

Leanne is an active AUSTSWIM Presenter whose dedication and commitment to the industry has resulted in award recognition.

Andrew Plint, Founder and (volunteer) CEO of Hannah's Foundation  - Drowning Prevention, Awareness and Support.  He is also a current serving member of the Qld Police Service, as a Sergeant with 20 years’ service.

Hannah’s Foundation was founded after the loss of his daughter Hannah, aged 34 months.  Andrew and his wife Kat went looking for support immediately after their loss and were shocked that Australia had no support group for “parents like them”. 

Hannah's Foundation provides a number of financial services and their main focus is Peer Support, Water Safety Public Education and Andrew is just one of QLDs leading Pool legislation advocates.  Hannah’s Foundation

currently supports over 70 families Australia wide and is known throughout the world. 

The Patron of Hannah’s Foundation is Qld Police Commissioner Mr Bob

Atkinson APM.