Education program teaches youth migrants how to stay safe in Australian waters

24 youths from culturally diverse backgrounds have been given the opportunity to learn how to swim at a two month tailored program at the AquaHub Pool in the Melbourne suburb of Croydon.

The program was supported through SWIM MY WAY, a new initiative between Royal Life Saving Society and UNCLE TOBYS to get more Australian's swimming and active in the water. SWIM MY WAY supports a variety of swimming based activities across Australia.

The youths, aged between 15 and 20 years old, are new migrants to Australia, predominantly from Burma. This is the first time the youths have received any form of swimming and water safety training. Prior to lessons they hadn’t had any exposure to water. 

The youth are part of the Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne), which assists refugees and migrants to understand Australian life, settle into a multicultural community and access services.

Life Saving Victoria Multicultural Projects Manager David Holland explains “Royal Life Saving believes that every person has the right to learn basic swimming, water safety, and lifesaving skills. Swimming and water safety lessons are not just a valuable life-skill, it’s such an important part of being part of the community.

“Being able to swim and safely recreate around water opens up many new opportunities. SWIM MY WAY gives us the ability to run more programs throughout the country.

“Playing in backyard swimming pools, picnics by the river, and splashing around at the beach are very much a part of everyday life in Australia. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our beautiful waterways and stay safe wherever they are.”

For more information go to www.royallifesaving.com.au/swim-my-way

Image courtesy of the City of Maroondah.

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