National symposium looks to synchronise swimming and water safety initiatives

As part of its work towards reducing the nation’s drowning statistics, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia last month convened the second National Swimming and Water Safety Education Symposium.

Following its successful first staging in 2017, the second Symposium brought together representatives of government, industry, the private sector and academia to continue the discussion, present new research, review achievements and facilitate group workshops.

Staged in Sydney on 9th and 10th May, the Symposium set out to further develop a set of statements and complementary actions aimed at building a national approach to increasing swimming and water safety education for all Australian children.

Since the first Symposium, much work has been done to address the issues surrounding swimming and water safety education including the formation of the National Swimming and Water Safety Education Reference Group, redevelopment of the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework and a range of commitments by Governments to education and vacation programs.

Royal Life Saving Society Chief Executive Justin Scarr said off the Symposium "it is vital we continue this momentum, collaborate, discuss and investigate solutions to provide opportunities for all to learn essential swimming and water safety skills and knowledge, regardless of their cultural background, location or socio-economic status."

Following the Symposium, Royal Life Saving Western Australia highlight how it “has led the nation in providing government supported swimming education for school children, while the (Western Australian) Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries actively supports many Royal Life Saving programs that ensure children from all social and cultural backgrounds have an opportunity to learn vital swimming and water safety skills.

Royal Life Saving WA Chief Executive Peter Leaversuch is proud of the work being done in Western Australia to ensure no-one misses out on learning to Swim and Survive.

Leaversuch commented "Vacswim and Interim Swimming Lessons are such iconic programs here in WA. The long-term impact they have had on reducing child drowning is something we are all very proud of.

“We’re proud to partner with the WA Department of Education to provide these programs for West Australian children."

Image: Delegates at the second National Swimming and Water Safety Education Symposium. Courtesy of Royal Life Saving.

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