But there is another reason why that picture was particularly special for Zoe's mum, Wendy Meloncelli. As a Water Polo Australia Hall-of-Famer, Wendy collected 95 international caps between 1979 and 1991, and won a historic World Championships gold medal for Australia in 1986. Unfortunately, she was never given the opportunity to play at the Olympic Games, as the women's game was only included at Sydney 2000.

That made her daughter's Olympic debut in Rio even more meaningful. "With women's water polo finally being included [in the Games] and me getting that opportunity, she was so happy!" Zoe said.

"Mum has always been a huge motivation," she continued, recognising how the Australian water polo trail blazers of the 80s and 90s paved the way for the growth of the sport. "It's that appreciation of what she had to go through, and the fact that us having funding and [support] wouldn't have been possible without the work they did.

"Mum worked two jobs and had to pay for all her trips, her bathers, her training. All those little things we don't think about now, they add up very quickly to make a huge difference. And still they won the inaugural World Championships, which was their biggest event at the time, and beat the Dutch team who were the best at that stage," Zoe said.

A huge shift towards gender equality

Fast forward to the next European summer and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will become the first Olympics ever to achieve full gender parity and equal representation, with women athletes having as many places on the field of play as male athletes.

"There has been a huge shift in gender equality at the Games even just since I've been involved," Zoe said.

"I think that's because of the success of women in sport as a whole. It's fantastic to see that acknowledgement and recognition of women's sport and to see more women becoming involved, or coming back to the sport."

Studies around the effects of the menstrual cycle on training and a growing body of research supporting women's return to elite sport after pregnancy also provide more opportunities for women's long-term involvement in the sport.

"It's hard for women when we leave the sport, because obviously we start families or start working. Giving women the opportunity to come back in any capacity or stay involved in some way is massive, and good for continuing that shift [towards gender equality]," Zoe agreed.

It's a cultural shift that is happening throughout Australian sport, too. Just a few months back, Water Polo Australia appointed dual Olympian Rebecca Rippon as head coach for the Aussie Stingers, who will become the first female to ever coach the Australian women's water polo team at an Olympic Games.

"Bec was playing as I was coming through and [that generation of players] was a huge influence, shaping me into the player I am now," Zoe said. "Everyone is really excited and wants to get hard at it. We know what is required to do well at the Olympics, so right now everything is about what's going to help prepare us the best for Paris."

A leader and a role model

Zoe will compete at her third Olympic Games, this time with the added responsibility of serving as team's captain and a role model for the younger cohort of Australian players coming through the ranks.

"I am no spring chicken anymore!" Zoe joked, who will turn 33 just before the Olympic Games. Her career has mirrored and arguably surpassed her mother's, with over 300 caps for Australia and two World Championship medals to her name.

"This Olympic cycle is very different from the last. I'm a bit older now, with more experience and obviously a bit of a different body. In that regard, it's a bit more quality over quantity to get the best out of myself."

"But it's a huge honour to captain this side and I want to make sure I do my best to lead the team to a successful campaign.

"I remember being that young kid coming through, and now to be on the other side of that is pretty cool. I still enjoy playing, I still have that passion," she said, "and to pass on my knowledge and help give back is a very humbling honour."