Our Committee Members
Members of the Water Skills for Life Committee bring a range of skills from varied backgrounds – all driven by the one mission, to reduce the number of deaths by drowning, both here in Australia and overseas.
-
Tanya Carmont
-
Mandy Mckay
-
Mary Houten
-
Joanne Ritchie
-
Sandi Edwards
-
Annabelle Mathews
Tanya Carmont - President and Treasurer
I have been a swim instructor for over 20 years and started with volunteering to teach swimming and water safety at Narrabeen rock pool in their learn to swim program. In 2010 I created a program at Collaroy rock pool now known as Collaroy Turtles. I have a passion to empower people no matter what age or ability to be safe around the aquatic environment helping them to enjoy the water experience.
I feel that giving back to my local community as well as helping developing countries in water safety techniques and swimming is an important role I have to play.
After my first volunteer experience in Vietnam with Swim Vietnam, I had an urge to be able to help others and so Water Skills for Life was born in March of 2011. I have a very dedicated Committee and volunteers who share the same passion as I do. In 2016 and 2019 I travelled again to Vietnam to assist Swim Vietnam under the Australian Governments AVI program. As WSFL already had a working relationship with Swim Vietnam and now as a partner organisation of AVI it was a good fit. We have achieved so much from our humble beginnings.
In July of 2024 we have now made a connection with HTK Cambodia a drowning prevention charity in Siem Reap. I look forward to working with them closely and help develop their programs and provide support into the future.
Mandy Mckay - Vice President
I joined Water Skills for Life in 2011 as they have the same ideals and passions as I do about water safety and learning to swim. Helping the association achieve these goals, to assist those who are unable to afford lessons is important for our local community. Without programs like these and our volunteer swim instructors giving up their valuable time to teach water safety and swimming they would miss out on how to be safe around water bodies.
I was born at Manly and my mother came from UK where she never learnt to swim and was very fearful of the water. As a result my mother knew how important learning to swim was. Growing up on the northern beaches as a child I was taught to swim at Dee Why rock pool. Knowing the dangers at the beach and in our backyard pool I felt it important to have my children taught swimming and water safety at a very early age which they embraced. I am very excited to be involved with the association and I look forward to being part for a very long time.
Mary Houten - Secretary & Website Admin
After teaching swimming for many years I wanted to use my skills on a different level which resulted in volunteer work and joining WSFL in 2011. I could see the great work Tanya Carmont was doing and decided to give her a hand as I knew I had a lot to offer to her organisation. I love teaching swimming and seeing the progress of each student is so rewarding.
My children are grown up so I now have more time to volunteer and hopefully make a difference.
Joanne Ritchie - Assistant Treasurer
I joined water skills for life 14 years ago and trained as a swim teacher. I have a passion for teaching others to swim and supporting them through each step. I have been an active committee member for the past few years and enjoy the commitment that the team has to help with the prevention of drowning and teaching others less fortunate to be able to swim.
I live on the northern beaches and have two adult children and as a family we all enjoy the aquatic environment and know the importance of being safe in and around the water. I really enjoy being with a committed team and supporting the mission of the organisation and being part of this important initiative for our local community.
Sandi Edwards - Swim Program Development and Social Media Admin
I’ve been with WSFL since it started, 2010 I’m a volunteer Swim Teacher. I’m also a part of the team that helps to develop the swim programs for WSFL & I’m one of the Social Media Administrators – creating content & photographing the programs that we run.
I believe in the need to make swimming lessons, & water safety, accessible to all people, no matter their age, cultural background, or financial situation. WSFL does this. I love what WSFL offers the community. I continue to enjoy teaching people to swim, & become safe around the water.
Annabel Mathews - Assistant Secretary
I joined WSFL in 2021 firstly as a trainee swim teacher and now qualified. I was appointed to the committee as anassistant secretary in September of 2022 to help the committee. I have a passion for providing and helping our participants in our programs with preventing water based safety skills and prompting water confidence. I enjoyseeing people of all ages and abilities being able to be safe in the water by teaching water safety skills.
I spend a lot of time in and around the beach and water, so thought I could contribute by helping those who may be nervous around the water to feel more confident. WSFL is an empowering organisation that aims to do just that.
Lessons take place in the pool before swim club (through summer) so I could make better use of the time I was
already at the pool and give back to my community.