AusLeisure

As part of Victorian Children's Week, hundreds of children have been learning about water safety at Life Saving Victoria's beachfront headquarters in Port Melbourne.

Getting an introduction to Life Saving Victoria's Sink or Swim - Meet a Lifeguard program, the children have been dressing up in patrol uniforms, practicing rescues and even setting up patrol flags.

Welcoming these activities, Victorian Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell explained "Children's Week falls on the cusp of summer and there is no better time for Victorian children to learn how to be safe on our beaches and waterways.

"Children will also learn how to read beach signs and identify water dangers, such as debris, rips and submerged rocks."

Life Saving Victoria is one of the hundreds of organisations across the state to receive Victorian Coalition Government grants to hold free events during Children's Week, which runs until Sunday 27th October.

Minister Lovell said Sink or Swim was developed to address a 68% increase in child drowning incidents in the 2006 to 2011 five-year period, when compared to 2001-2006.

She stated "sadly, drowning is a leading cause of death for children aged five to 14 in Victoria.

"However, through programs such as this, we can tackle the issue and engage kids in fun, hands-on activities that teach them safe behaviour."

The Victorian Government also promotes water safety through the VICSWIM Summer Kidz program, which in 2014 is anticipated to be bigger than ever.

The VICSWIM Summer Kidz 2014 program is expected to involve over 130 instructors providing low cost swimming lessons at an expected 127 venues, including more open water venues.

The VICSWIM Summer Kidz learn-to-swim and water safety program is designed for participants between four and 12 years of age and will be held from Monday to Friday during the January 2014 school holidays.

For more information about the program, participating venues and how to enroll go to www.vicswim.com.au

2nd April 2013 - AUSTSWIM SUPPORT WOMEN’S ONLY SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY

2nd January 2013 - ORGANISATIONS UNITE TO PRESENT INTERNATIONAL WATER SAFETY CONFERENCE

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