The mother of a four-year-old girl who drowned in a public pool in the NSW town of Orange over the weekend has described it as a "tragic accident".
The child, named in media as Mia Harrison, was found motionless on the bottom of a pool at the Orange Aquatic Centre on Saturday afternoon, police say.
The girl's mother Mekaela Harrison posted a public Facebook status on Monday advising her friends of the sad news.
"For those who don't know yet, who haven't seen the papers or news stories. On Saturday my sweet baby girl Mia rose passed away after a tragic accident at our local swimming pool," Ms Harrison wrote.
"Please respect the fact that my family is still grieving and if you have any questions ask me personally. Fly high baby you were so loved and will be so sorely missed. 26/01/2013-04/11/17".
The pool remains closed on Monday with a possibility of it reopening on Tuesday, an Orange Aquatic Centre spokesperson told AAP.
After frantic attempts by family and lifeguards to revive the girl she was taken to hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Ms Harrison has also urged parents to teach children to swim, saying her daughter wasn't able to swim.
"So please, if anything can come out of this tragedy, please, parents, teach your children to swim as soon as possible", Ms Harrison told News Ltd.
"I'm aware a lot of people have said the lifeguards are to blame but that is not the case at all, I can't thank them enough."
Royal Life Saving NSW CEO Michael Ilinksy said children could be formally taught to swim from four years of age, but an early familiarisation with water was essential for their learning.
"Those early years way back when they are babies you can start with familiarisation in a bath, simple games, water splashing," Mr Ilinksy told ABC radio on Monday.
"A little bit of a dribble of water down their face, that's the start of their aquatic education."
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd acknowledged the family's suffering and said the town needed to band together to offer support.
"Nothing we can say today can ease the pain the family is going through, other than to say that they are not alone," he said in a statement.
