The 28-year-old who led Brisbane Barracudas to the National Water Polo League crown in May, is already the most be-medalled Australian water polo athlete with a staggering 12 major international medals to her name.

Her hope is to add another gold medal to her collection at the FINA World Championships, which start on July 19.

When told of her achievement, she replied: “No I didn’t know! It isn't something that I’ve kept track of and it’s hard to believe when I think of all the incredible players who represented Australia before and alongside me.”

The attacking driver who was named in the World Seven following the 2007 FINA World Championships in Melbourne, has won four gold, four silver and four bronze medals in a career spanning 176 senior internationals and a host of junior appearances.

She competed at three world junior championships for one gold and two silvers between 1997 and 2001; a World Cup gold medal in 2006; Olympic bronze in 2008; silver at the world championships in 2007; two Commonwealth gold medals (2002 and 2006); and a silver and three bronzes at World League events since 2005.

As well as the medals there were the heartbreaks with a bronze-medal play-off loss at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and a 2006 World League fourth.

Her 12 medals have come from 17 major events with the last gained a fortnight ago in Kirishi Russia at the FINA World League Super Finals.

Medals run in the family with older sister Rebecca sharing in 10 of the medals while step-sister Kate Gynther has nine.

Her full player profile can be obtained from http://www.australianwaterpolo.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=43&mosmsg=Thanks+for+your+submission.

We asked Mel a series of questions about her medals:

Is their competition in your family for the most medals (with Bec having 10 and Kate having nine)?
No not at all! We aren’t like that. We are competitive but not for that sort of recognition.

Where were your medals gained?
09 WL Finals (Bronze)                captain      
08 Olympics (Bronze)                 captain
08 WL Finals (Bronze)                 captain
07 WL finals (Silver)                   captain
07 W Champs (Silver)                 captain
06 World Cup (Gold)                  captain
06 Comm Champs (Gold)             captain
05 WL Finals (Bronze)                
02 Comm Champs (Gold)                            
01 Jnr Worlds (Silver)             captain
99 Jnr Worlds (Gold)                                     
97 Jnr Worlds (Silver)                                   
 
Rate the top three medals in order and why:
This is really tough because all of them have significant meaning and for differing reasons.
It was hard to look past our 2006 World Cup victory, for obvious reasons, as well as our 2007 World Championship Silver. Even though we lost the Gold medal match we proved a lot of people wrong who thought our victory in the World Cup was a ‘one off’ or  ‘fluke’… But although they are special they didn’t make the final cut.
Here goes…
1. 2008 Olympic Bronze.
This is the number one because it is a medal at what I consider to be the Ultimate Sporting Test, the Olympic Games.
It is something that we as a group worked so hard for. I'm not saying the others weren’t worked for! but the dedication and commitment by everyone in the staff and playing group towards our Olympic campaign is something to be proud of. It is also a reminder of what we didn’t achieve and it will be the driving force behind every training session in the future.
2. 2005 World League Bronze
This was my first ever senior medal. It meant so much to achieve this as no one in this team had ever medalled at the senior international level. We beat Hungary in the Bronze medal playoff and just weeks earlier they had won the World Championship. It was a moment that signaled the beginning of something special. We knew we were able to really move forward from this point and we have. Since then the Women’s Team has medalled at almost every major tournament, it’s an amazing feat.
3. 1999 World Junior Championship Gold
Winning this world juniors is significant for so many reasons. I had been injured and was told I couldn’t compete, We lost to Canada in the round games and then went on to beat them in the final. I was also playing alongside so many great friends, but for me the privilege was that we were finally able to give Brew the Gold medal he had missed out on in the past.  At this point, I believe, as a coach of the Australian U20s team he had lost 3 games. EVER!: The gold medal match in 1995 and again in 1997 and then our round game against Canada in this tournament. Pretty amazing record! So to be part of the team that got the gold for him was so exciting!

What is the experience of standing on a podium at the elite level?
It is hard to describe and to be honest it depends on the result of the game you just had!
There are always feelings of achievement and honour. It is amazing to stand alongside your teammates and there is often a moment of realization that ‘its over’. Whatever you were striving towards is finished and hopefully you are happy cos it means you achieved what you set out to achieve.

Any funny moments on the podium?
It's funny I cant really think of many funny moments on the podium but usually afterwards when you see footage or photos, that’s where the funny stuff comes to light.

What was the most special occasion (family, friends in crowd)?
Its always special when you are up there because you are standing alongside your teammates who know and understand everything that we all put in and gave up for the chance to play at that level.
But the opportunity to play in Melbourne in front of family and friends was incredible and something I will never forget.

What was the worst experience about not getting on to a podium?
I would have to say that our defeat in  Athens Olympics was one of the most painful.
To go so close was hard but having regrets is the hardest.

Who would you like to thank?
I am honoured to have been recognised for my personal achievements but it would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the girls in the pool next to me as well as all the staff involved in our careers. So to all involved in coaching me, teaching me and challenging me, I say thank you, it has been a privilege.
And last but certainly not least, For all the early morning taxi rides and for being a personal ATM a big thank you to all our parents. We don’t say it often but thank you for everything!