ASCTA names Swim Teacher of the Year

The Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) has named Yeppoon swim teacher Lynne Barrett as Australian Swim Teacher of the Year.

Commenting on the receipt of her award, Barrett, who has taught thousands of people how to swim since commencing her vocation in 1967, told the ABC "it's really an honour.

"It feels wonderful because we often feel when we're in a regional area that we're forgotten.

"I love teaching people and seeing the look on people's faces - children and adults - when they first realise they can go under water without drowning.

"Or the first time they float by themselves, the first time they swim a lap - it's very rewarding."

Barrett began her career in NSW at the age of 12, working with the Learn to Swim Free program, and at 16 she worked as a school holiday supervisor at the state's Department of Sport.

In 1974, Barrett taught for Pat Taylor at the Forbes Carlile Swim School in Ryde before taking a break, recalling "my parents decided I needed a real job.

"So I ended up in the bank for a number of years but I did not find it as enjoyable as teaching swimming."

Barrett has been at the Yeppoon Aquatic Centre for 13 years and she taught at a local primary school for 10 years before that.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, ASCTA will present the awards in an online ceremony.

Barrett will then be looking forward to welcoming her students back into the pool when restrictions ease.

Image: Lynne Barrett (centre) has been named ASCTA's Swim Teacher of the Year.