AUSTSWIM receives funding boost to combat multicultural drownings

AUSTSWIM South Australia has received a $20,000 grant to ensure culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) swimmers continue to receive vital water safety training and are taught about the dangers at SA beaches and rivers.

Sarah Fogarty from AUSTSWIM South Australia added “Drowning statistics from our CALD communities are significantly higher than that of the general population and AUSTSWIM SA wish to target these specific communities in order to spread the very important message of water safety to prevent further drownings.

“Training members and leaders from our CALD communities to become Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety, empowers them to spread the water safety message within their communities.

“This very generous funding allows AUSTSWIM SA to offer highly subsidised enrolments for those in our CALD communities across South Australia to train up as teachers, and accordingly making it accessible to as many as possible.”

Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard advised “The grant of close to $20,000 will strengthen AUSTSWIM’s capacity to protect these vulnerable members of our community.

“At least nine overseas-born swimmers have lost their lives in South Australian waterways since 2014. That’s far too many.

“Unfortunately participation rates in swimming programs are much lower among CALD communities and I applaud AUSTSWIM’s determination to change this.

“As we head into the hot summer months, when many of us spend time at the beach, it’s so important that all members of our community are armed with the knowledge and tools they need to enjoy the water in the safest way possible.”