Ms Brady said that about a month before she made contact with organisers in Fiji the Ministry of Education made aquatics education and safety compulsory for all schools.

“A couple of weeks after, three boys drowned in Fiji,” she said.

“It seemed my visit to Fiji could not be soon enough. The citizens of Fiji are familiar with the water and most have no apparent fear, so the only thing lacking was their knowledge of the dangers in the water and how to avert them – this is where I came in.”

Over the period of her visit Ms Brady took groups of students to Suva’s Aquatic Centre where she taught them water safety, beginning with fundamental skills such as buoyancy and mobility. Students were also encouraged to teach any younger children or friends to learn to at least float on their backs in the water for their best chance at survival and also learnt about safe entry and rescue skills.

“While we did have a lot of fun learning these life saving techniques, I know the students really took it on board and will have these skills for life,” she said. 

The bus that transported the students to the aquatic centre was only made possible through the generosity of people in the Ararat district, after Ms Brady put out a call on Facebook for the $550 needed when the funding was cancelled.

“If not for all of you and your donations, the bus would never have been possible and without the bus, the swimming lessons wouldn't have been either,” she said.

Prior to leaving Fiji Ms Brady helped compile a workbook for teachers in Fiji to use with their students and hopes to return in the future.

“For now I will continue teaching in Australia and growing my skills as a teacher, but I plan to return when I feel I am ready to dedicate my time to teaching the teachers and visiting more schools,” she said.

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”