World Champ dives in for the young women of Western Australia The Esther Foundation is excited to announce Shelley Taylor-Smith as Patron of its multi award winning residential women�s health, development and leadership program, based in South Perth, Western Australia. Patricia Lavater, Director & Founder of the Esther Foundation stated �We feel so honoured and privileged to have someone of the calibre of Shelley to not only lend her experience and give her support toward this charitable organisation, but also to play a role with the many young women that come into our care at the foundation. She is just such an inspiration to all of us...�   ... read full media release click here.     Shelley Taylor-Smith receives 2 International Swimming Hall of Fame Awards The 2008 Honoree induction ceremony for the International Swimming Hall of Fame was held in Omaha, Nebraska, USA in conjunction with the USA Olympic Swimming trials on 6th July 2008. Shelley Taylor-Smith was honoured for her outstanding achievements internationally in marathon swimming; the highest honour awarded in swimming. Shelley is the first Australian Marathon swimmer and first West Australian swimmer to be an inducted Honoree. Shelley also received the International Swimming Hall of Fame Davids-Wheeler Award 2008 for service and contribution to the sport of marathon swimming. Shelley Taylor-Smith is the first Australian Marathon Swimmer to be awarded both awards and first marathon swimmer to be awarded both awards in the one year!   Shelley with fellow 2008 ISHOF Honorees Shelley (front row) surrounded by fellow ISHOF honorees and her childhood heroes. "An unbelievable surreal feeling!" Shelley receiving her ISHOF Davids-Wheeler Award with Dale Petranech (left) and fellow Perth, WA mates who travelled to share in this occasion Anna & John Whitehead and Leith Weston (far right). "I feel totally blessed. Thank you to the USA for discovering my potential and teaching me all about marthon swimming. I would never have achieved what I did without the support of USA, the University of Arkansas, the Schnarrs (my New York family) and Dale Petranech, Honorary Secretary, International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame" "My achievements were a team result! Nancy Schnarr, coach/handler/trainer deserved my gold medals, world race records and awards just as much as me. Nancy believed in me and my ultimate goal: to achieve my natural born Champion potential. My achievements are a direct result of her commitment and dedication to excellence and team spirit!"   Listen to Shelley being interviewed by Alan Jones about this fabulous achievement following the announcement by the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, USA. Listen to the interview