A swimming program in Werribee is aimed at teaching refugees and newly arrived migrants to swim in a bid to cut drownings in Australian waterways.
Operating out of Swim 4 All in Werribee, the program is teaching Western English Language School Werribee campus students water basics.
Thirty-nine students aged five to 14 are taking part in the 10-lesson program.
Swim 4 All owner and manager Natalie Clarke says the focus is on teaching children to get in and out of the pool, how to float, how to exit water, and to never swim alone.
“We are quite visual in what we teach,” Ms Clarke said. “It’s about teaching them basic safety skills and confidence. The kids just love it. They’re always so excited to get in the water and have these massive smiles on their face.”
SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR JULIA NASH WITH HTEE, 9. PICTURE: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
Western English Language School teacher Alison McQuade said teaching the students how to swim had many benefits.
“Swimming lessons are not just a valuable life skill,” she said. “For young people growing up in Australia, it’s such an important part of being socially included.”
Life Saving Victoria multicultural projects manger David Holland said newly arrived migrants and refugees were over-represented in drowning statistics.
From July 1, 2014, to June 30 last year, 271 people died in Australian waterways, including rivers, creeks, lakes and dams.
Mr Holland said that more than 20 per cent of drowning deaths involved culturally and linguistically diverse people.
“Often aquatics are a low priority in these people’s nations so education on this sort of thing takes a back-seat,” he said.
“Programs like this exist to offer them that education.”
