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The first participants in a new multicultural swimming program run by Cardinia Life have graduated after participating in 10 weeks of swimming lessons and water safety education.

Backed by Cardinia Shire Council and Life Saving Victoria, the Safely Engaging with Water pilot program - which aims to teach adults from multicultural backgrounds how to swim and enjoy the water safely - has recognised 16 men and 17 women for completing the course.

A partnership of the Sikh community’s Officer Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (SGND), recreation operator Aligned Leisure and Life Saving Victoria (LSV), the program started earlier this year in response to the over-representation of multicultural communities in drowning deaths.

The pilot has garnered resounding interest with a current wait list of more than 60 people wanting to take part.

The first batch of graduates was congratulated on Saturday 12th October before an audience at SGND in Officer which included Federal Bruce MP and Assistant Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill and State member for Pakenham Emma Vulin.

Active community member Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra, an academic at Federation University who instigated the program, said the new graduates had shown great dedication and courage.

Of the 37 participants who started, 33 have graduated – demonstrating a commitment to making drownings a history.

Dr Kandra explained “this group of men and women has worked hard and challenged themselves to build their water safety abilities and knowledge.

“We are so proud of them and what they’ve achieved. They will now be role models and leaders in our community who will help spread the word on water safety.

“I also hope this program shows the way forward to improving water safety for multicultural communities across Victoria and Australia.”

Dr Kandra mentioned that this pilot initiative is being assessed with a view to it being introduced at other facilities.

Noting that role models were an integral part of empowering multicultural communities to safely enjoy the water, LSV Strategic Adviser - Diversity and Inclusion Community Outreach, David Holland commented “this program gives participants vital water safety skills and equips them to lead by example in their community to drive home the importance of water safety.”

Image: The Safely Engaging with Water pilot program. Credit: Cardinia Life.

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