The woman from Bendigo, Victoria, was part of the successful Australian women's 4x100 metre sfreestyle team that included Dawn Fraser, Lorraine Crapp and Sandra Morgan, who won gold at Melbourne.

Born with a double curvature of the spine and problems with her digestive system, Leech was just 13 when she won the Australian 110 yard freestyle title in 1955 before going on to compete at her home Games the year after, where as well as winning team gold, she claimed an individual bronze in the 100m freestyle.

Not long after she competed in Melbourne, Leech was advised on medical grounds to quit top level swimming.

"She'd be one of the greatest swimmers we have ever seen in Bendigo," said Bruce Reid, who was the President of the Bendigo Hawks Aquatic Club when Leech won Olympic gold.

"She was only a young girl at the time of the Olympics.

"She was an outstanding swimmer.

"It was wonderful really.

"Everyone knew Faith Leech and the Leech family.

"She was a prominent member of the swimming club, and there was great excitement at the time."

Following her retirement, Leech became actively involved in coaching and teaching in her local area, as well as establishing a career as a businesswoman.

She was heavily involved in promoting swimming as a disabled sport and had a keen interest in the Special Olympics.

Faith Leech looks back over her Olympic memories last year