AusLeisure

Mindful that young people from Indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and low socio-economic communities often miss out on basic swimming, water safety skills and knowledge, the Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive Fund is committed to increasing access to safe aquatic facilities, qualified instructors and facilitating structured swimming and water safety courses for those experiencing social or economic disadvantage.

As part of this commitment, from 16th February, Life Saving Victoria with support from Western English Language School’s Werribee Campus will conduct a swimming and water safety program to help students learn the practical skills and water safety knowledge to be safe in, on and around the water.

As of tomorrow, 39 students from the school aged five to 14 years, will participate in a 10 lesson program conducted by Werribee Swim 4 All Swim School.

Western English Language School teacher Alison McQuade comments “swimming lessons are not just a valuable life-skill.

“For young people growing up in Australia, it’s such an important part of being socially included. We are delighted that our students have been provided the opportunity to participate in this program”.

Life Saving Victoria, Manager Multicultural Projects, David Holland comments that “programs like this not only helps children to have fun while being active and making new friends, but participating helps to build confidence in the water, while learning vital skills that may one day save their life.”

The Swim and Survive Fund utilises donations from individuals, community organisations, corporate supporters and Royal Life Saving Partner facilities across Australia, to increase access to swimming and water safety education for young people at-risk of drowning.

While Australia has world class beaches, swimming pools and beautiful rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, dams and lagoons, Royal Life Saving campaigns to reduce the drowning toll in aquatic environments.

The number of drowning deaths dramatically rises as children become more independent and transition from direct, supervised aquatic activity.

23 young Australians aged 15-24 drowned last year, with males accounting for 83% of deaths in this age group.

Royal Life Saving emphasises that “to prevent drowning deaths, every Australian must have basic swimming, water safety skills and knowledge of how to be safe when they are in, on, or around the water.

“(However), the reality is a swimming and water safety education is simply not accessible to all.”

To make a tax deductible donation to support the Swim and Survive Fund and help Royal Life Saving provide more Australian children with the opportunity to Swim and Survive go to www.swimandsurvive.com.au 

24th January 2016 - 59 DROWN IN WATERWAYS SINCE START OF DECEMBER

15th January 2016 - AQUATICS INDUSTRY TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF VICSWIM

1st December 2015 - BELGRAVIA LEISURE AND LIFE SAVING VICTORIA EXTEND PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

20th September 2015 - DATES SET FOR 2015/16 VICSWIM PROGRAM

17th August 2015 - SWIM AND SURVIVE PROGRAM TO AID THOSE THAT MISS OUT ON WATER SAFETY SKILLS

4th November 2013 - PARENTS VALUE SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY LESSONS ABOVE OTHER OUT-OF-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Asking a small favour

We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.