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read moreA new pilot program to help people from multicultural backgrounds enjoy swimming with safety and security has been launched by Cardinia Life.
Following on from World Drowning Prevention Day on 25th July, the 'Safely Engaging with Water program’ is a collaboration between Cardinia Leisure and Officer Sikh Temple Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar.
Backed by Cardinia Shire Council and Life Saving Victoria, the program aims to teach adults from multicultural backgrounds how to swim and enjoy the water safely.
Locally, the program was initiated after Clyde residents Dharmvir Singh, aged 38, and Gurjinder Singh, aged 65, drowned after leaping into a pool at a Gold Coast hotel to try to save the younger man’s child on Sunday 31st March.
This came after January when Cranbourne East man Sahil Panwar, aged 25, was swept out to sea at Kilcunda Surf Beach. Later that month saw Victoria’s worst drowning incident in almost two decades when Clyde North residents - Kirti Bedi, aged 20, Suhani Anand, aged 20, along with Jagjeet Singh Anand and Reema Sondhi from India, drowned at Forrest Caves Beach on Phillip Island.
These devastating deaths prompted calls to strengthen water safety and Officer Gurdwara’s Harpreet Singh Kandra was determined to see all communities enjoy the water.
Kandra noted "this got me into action, I started introspecting, talking to the community and experts. And today we start a significant chapter in our journey to upskill the community with water safety.
“Water is fun, water is therapy, swimming is an exercise, connection with water is an important part of Aussie lifestyle.”
Reported by the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia, last summer 99 people drowned and a quarter were from multicultural backgrounds.
A 2022 study from the University of Sydney said almost half of beach drowning deaths from 2004 to 2021 were people born overseas.
Explaining that the local Sikh community has been instrumental in raising awareness, Life Saving Victoria’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, David Holland stated “people from multicultural communities are five times more likely to drown when swimming, the fact that the Sikh community is highlighting the issue and taking action is excellent.
“Life Saving Victoria has been working closely with the Sikh community for the last few months and will continue to support them in the years ahead as we have with all multicultural communities on water safety.”
The program will see Cardinia Leisure subsidise attendees’ participation as well as operate the lessons. Once initiated, the program aims to expand through the South East and beyond.
Community information sessions are planned to be held soon in collaboration with Life Saving Victoria.
This will involve both an incursion session at Officer Gurdwara in the coming weeks and an excursion session at a local beach during summer.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik was happy to see this new program initiated in Cardinia, adding “the opportunity for adults to be introduced to water safety and build their confidence in a supportive environment is so important.
“This program will help keep our people safe. But it will do so much more than that, it will build confidence in the water, provide the ability to make new connections and who knows where it may lead them - the next Olympics maybe."
Kandra said there has been a keen interest in the pilot program so far and encouraged people from all backgrounds to join, going on to say "the program is getting a massive response, I originally wanted it to be a pilot of 10 people, but I have 20 people now wanting to join.
“Someone said this is a program for my community, but no this is for anyone who can’t swim, anyone from any walk of life can join.”
16th August 2024 - Coroner hears that ‘significant failings’ led to 2020 child drowning death at remote Northern Territory swimming pool
15th August 2024 - Life Saving Victoria to partner with Aquatics and Recreation Victoria for 2024 industry conference
25th July 2024 - Royal Life Saving highlights importance of World Drowning Prevention Day
5th March 2024 - Pool operator pleads guilty to safety breaches over child drowning at Port Fairy Community Pool
28th February 2024 - Aquatic Industry event highlights achievements of drowning prevention campaigns
6th February 2024 - Life Saving Victoria highlights need for public vigilance following weekend water tragedies
26th January 2024 - Life Saving Victoria concerned for potential tragedies over long weekend
25th January 2024 - Victoria’s deadliest drowning tragedy in almost 20 years claims four lives
23rd January 2024 - Ambulance Victoria and Life Saving Victoria reinforce need for caution around inland waterways
7th January 2024 - Emergency Response Beacon activated to prevent rip drownings
5th December 2023 - Global water safety community converges on Perth with a mission to end drowning
9th November 2023 - Launching its Keep Watch water safety campaign Royal Life Saving warns of child drowning risk
15th September 2023 - Latest National Drowning report reveals rise of deaths among older men
27th July 2023 - Royal Life Saving Society Australia named as founding member of Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention
26th July 2023 - Cardinia Shire claims it has ‘no plans’ to close Pakenham Outdoor Pool
12th December 2022 - Sunshine Coast Council continues successful migrant water safety programs
4th October 2022 - Cardinia Shire Council aims to deliver better sport and recreation facilities
27th January 2022 - UNSW research highlights risk factors behind South Asian migrant beach drownings
9th March 2021 - Cardinia Shire Council’s Aboriginal and CALD Sports Assistance Program now open
27th February 2020 - Royal Life Saving helps new migrants with learn to swim and water safety program
19th March 2018 - Australian-first multicultural uniform guide opens sport to CaLD participants
19th July 2019 - Cardinia Shire renews Aligned Leisure’s facility management contract
1st September 2017 - Cardinia Life to convert to 24/7 health club
2nd September 2016 - Cardinia Life introduces new swimming program
15th August 2016 - Aligned Leisure introduces upgrades to Shire of Cardinia facilities
11th November 2010 - Coastal drownings prompts new campaign for international tourists and migrants
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