Leah Stewart, a Sydney mother and teacher who survived a great white shark attack at Coogee Beach in June, has spoken publicly for the first time about the terrifying incident and her recovery.

The attack occurred on 13 June while Stewart was swimming at Coogee Beach. She was attacked by a great white shark estimated to be around four metres long and suffered severe injuries, including the loss of her left arm. Despite the seriousness of the attack, Stewart managed to survive until help arrived.

During the attack, Stewart recalled fighting desperately to survive and thinking about her young daughter. In a moment of extraordinary courage, she struck the shark with her left hand in an attempt to protect herself. She later described the experience as terrifying and overwhelming.

Stewart also suffered significant injuries to her thigh and spent weeks receiving intensive medical treatment. Her recovery continues as she adapts to major physical changes following the incident.

In her first public interview, Stewart has focused on her survival and determination rather than allowing the attack to define her life. Her story has attracted widespread attention across Sydney and Australia because of the extraordinary circumstances of the attack and her resilience during recovery.

The incident has also renewed public interest in shark safety around Sydney beaches. Authorities use a range of measures to monitor shark activity, including drones, tagged sharks and listening stations designed to provide information when tagged sharks are detected.

For beachgoers, the incident serves as a reminder that shark encounters, while uncommon, can occur even at popular metropolitan beaches. Authorities continue to encourage swimmers to follow local warnings and take notice of shark surveillance information.

Stewart's recovery is expected to be a long process, but her decision to speak publicly has highlighted the physical and emotional challenges faced by survivors of serious shark attacks.

Her account has also been described as a story of courage and determination. Despite suffering life-changing injuries, Stewart has expressed a strong desire to move forward and continue building her life with her family.

The Coogee Beach attack remains one of Sydney's most significant recent shark incidents, and Stewart's public account has provided a deeply personal perspective on what happened.

Authorities and the wider community continue to monitor shark activity around Sydney beaches, particularly as warmer weather approaches and more people return to the water.

Stewart's story is ultimately one of survival. Her decision to speak about the attack has brought renewed attention to shark safety while demonstrating the resilience required to recover from a life-changing event.