Melissa Roberts and Colin Hassell receive OAMs

Swimming Australia (SA) today congratulated Mrs Melissa Roberts (main picture) and Mr Colin Hassell for their recognition in today’s Australia Day 2026 Honours List.

Mrs Roberts (nee Cunningham) is a renowned Australian open-water swimmer, recognised as the Swimming Australia Open Water Swimmer of the Year in 1994 and 1996.

A 25km FINA World Champion, she was also named the 1994 Swimming World Magazine Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year and has extensive accolades, including induction into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2013.

Mrs Roberts received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to swimming while Western Australia’s Mr Hassell received an OAM for service to the promotion of water safety and drowning prevention.

Both have a long association with swimming; Mrs Roberts has been a swimmer, commentator, administrator, official, lecturer and teacher at world elite level in marathon swimming.

In a stunning career, Mrs Roberts was also the world champion in the 25km race at the 1994 FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome, Italy, and the 1996 FINA World Championships in Switzerland.

Whether she wore goggles or sunglasses, her skill set showed incredible versatility and humility.

Mr Hassell is a Life Member and former President of Royal Life Saving Society WA, where he served on the Board for 22 years until 2021. Appointed President in 2018, he focused on water safety, drowning prevention, and regional inclusion.

He worked extensively at a number of pools in Western Australia including at remote locations like Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. Mr Hassel once drove a working swimming pool on the back of a truck from Geraldton to Sydney in aid to promote water safety.

Mr Hassell said he was honoured to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia for his commitment to water safety.

SA is grateful to the contribution of Mrs Roberts and Mr Hassell and again congratulates them both on their deserved recognition.