Sarie's involvement with the aquatic and recreation industry began at school, and continued through university in becoming a physical education teacher.  Teaching swimming and survival skills, instructing and examining for Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Awards, and working for the department in the research and development area were the early foundations for a remarkable career.

She was responsible for the department’s operation of the swimming and water safety service, and organised and conducted in-service programs at open water venues with an emphasis on safety, survival and rescue.  Sarie was also part of the team in the department that wrote and trialled the first lecture series for the VICSWIM course.  She continued to work as a VICSWIM and AUSTSWIM lecturer and supervisor across Victoria for over 20 years.

 

Sarie has held many positions in the industry including chief examiner for the RLSS, and has been on state executives representing the industry to government.  She has led international teams to Vancouver, Toronto, the UK and Ireland, ran CPR courses for schools and organisations over 25 years and has been involved in the administration of four different lifesaving clubs over this time.

 

She has also received several awards including the RLSS Commonwealth Council Certificate of Appreciation, two VICSWIM Education Service Awards, a Commendation from the UK’s RLSS, the RLSS Recognition Badge, has been recognised as an international Laerdal Fellow and received the AUSTSWIM Appreciation Award.

 

Sarie is also a published author, which includes the titles of 'Wet Games' and 'Swimming - A Curriculum Guide', in addition to serving on panels overseeing the development of the RLSS Manual and AUSTSWIM Manual, and as technical advisor and editor of seven Education Department publications.

 

 

 

 

 

Jean has worked to provide opportunities for many children and adults to experience the benefits gained from participation in aquatic activities, regardless of age and ability, leading many people into new careers in aquatics.

 

She has been involved in working for VICSWIM, AUSTSWIM and RLSS / LSV since the mid 1970's in the roles of regional VICSWIM and AUSTSWIM Coordinator for Gippsland, presenter for all AUSTSWIM courses / electives across the state.  Jean is in demand as a presenter at state and national conferences and is a well-respected trainer, mentor and assessor. 

 

Jean has written course content for the AUSTSWIM Infants and People with a Disability electives, coordinated a team of trained teachers to bring education to remote areas of Victoria, runs her own successful swim school, and has developed targeted programs for increased community health and weight control.  Furthermore. she conducts First Aid and CPR courses across the Gippsland region and has also been involved in organising and managing the development of local school sport and swimming carnivals.

 

She has the only ‘double’ of Life Membership to the Victorian Primary and Secondary School Sports Associations and Life Membership of Victorian Little Aths and VICSRAPID.  She has twice received the Education Department’s Sports Administrator of the Year, received a Commonwealth Award for services to Life Saving and an Australian Sports Award for services to sport and aquatics.
 

She continues to provide services to Monash University in aquatics and special needs, delivers AUSTSWIM, CPR and Bronze Medallion courses, workshops on disabilities and other professional development, as well as Koorie education, local schools’ swimming programs while also continuing to stay abreast of current developments within the industry.