By Tanya Faulkner
A local has come away with a national award for her love of water and supporting the local community.
Jess Adkins-Barber, a swim teacher and business owner from Ferntree Gully, has recently been awarded both the AustSwim Awards of Excellence and the 2023 National AustSwim Teacher of Infant and Preschool Aquatics recipient, resulting in her receiving the Jack Hanson Clarke Perpetual Scholarship.
These annual awards acknowledge individuals, swim centres and organisations across the country for their contribution to aquatic education and water safety through leadership, innovation, and community spirit.
Ms Adkins-Barber has been a swim teacher since 2001, working around Victoria and abroad at Camp Modin in Maine, USA, helping young children learn how to swim.
In 2019, with the persuasion of her husband, she took a brave step in starting her own business in Clayton to create more local opportunities.
“My husband was encouraging me to take a step and build my own business, so we fully funded, designed and built our facility – with the help of a few contractors of course,” she said.
The Covid pandemic caused a few complications between opening and today, resulting in almost a years’ worth of closures for her business.
Nowadays, after almost two years of being reopened, business is thriving, with her swim school supporting over 800 local young children and their families learn how to swim, and learn about swim safety.
Ms Adkins-Barber said even her nomination for the AustSwim award was incredible, and has been a great recognition from the community of the work she has done over the years.
“Back in 2021 I did a zoom talk with the Knox City Council Child and Health Centre, on the importance of swimming and what to look out for when starting your child in swim lessons, which went down really well in the community,” she said.
Clayton isn’t the only community still benefiting from Ms Adkins-Barber’s passion.
The swim teacher also helps mentor local swim centres in Ferntree Gully and Reservoir, helping with staff training sessions.
For Ms Adkins-Barber, it’s business as usual since receiving her award at the National Industry awards in Queensland earlier this year, with a rejuvenated sense of pride in her career and the community.
“It feels pretty awesome.
“To have worked so hard and long on myself and my professional life in the industry, and taking a leap of faith in my business, it’s an amazing achievement,” she said.
Ms Adkins-Barber is continuing to work on her 2023 goals of establishing her brand and position in the industry.
“Being recognised with this award for my work and efforts is like the cherry on top for what I’ve been working on in the last 20 years,” she said.
