First swimmers graduate from Cardinia Life multicultural swimming initiative

October 16, 2024

The first participants in a new multicultural swimming program run by Cardinia Life have graduated after participating in 10 weeks of swimming lessons and water safety education.

Backed by Cardinia Shire Council and Life Saving Victoria, the Safely Engaging with Water pilot program - which aims to teach adults from multicultural backgrounds how to swim and enjoy the water safely - has recognised 16 men and 17 women for completing the course.

A partnership of the Sikh community’s Officer Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (SGND), recreation operator Aligned Leisure and Life Saving Victoria (LSV), the program started earlier this year in response to the over-representation of multicultural communities in drowning deaths.

The pilot has garnered resounding interest with a current wait list of more than 60 people wanting to take part.

The first batch of graduates was congratulated on Saturday 12th October before an audience at SGND in Officer which included Federal Bruce MP and Assistant Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill and State member for Pakenham Emma Vulin.

Active community member Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra, an academic at Federation University who instigated the program, said the new graduates had shown great dedication and courage.

Of the 37 participants who started, 33 have graduated – demonstrating a commitment to making drownings a history.

Dr Kandra explained “this group of men and women has worked hard and challenged themselves to build their water safety abilities and knowledge.

“We are so proud of them and what they’ve achieved. They will now be role models and leaders in our community who will help spread the word on water safety.

“I also hope this program shows the way forward to improving water safety for multicultural communities across Victoria and Australia.”

Dr Kandra mentioned that this pilot initiative is being assessed with a view to it being introduced at other facilities.

Noting that role models were an integral part of empowering multicultural communities to safely enjoy the water, LSV Strategic Adviser - Diversity and Inclusion Community Outreach, David Holland commented “this program gives participants vital water safety skills and equips them to lead by example in their community to drive home the importance of water safety.”

Image: The Safely Engaging with Water pilot program. Credit: Cardinia Life.

11th October 2024 - Life Saving Victoria and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria release latest State of the Sector Report

10th October 2024 - Life Saving Victoria appoints new Chief Operations Officer for Emergency Management Capability and Response

4th October 2024 - Wollongong to host beach safety day for multicultural communities

26th August 2024 - Cardinia Shire Council opens Garfield Netball Pavilion

23rd August 2024 - Cardinia Shire Council adopts new policy to support women and girls in sport

22nd August 2024 - Aligned Leisure’s Shane Dunne named new Chief Executive at AFL’s Richmond FC

22nd August 2024 - Aquatic industry strategy summit to consider ‘benefits of an aligned national industry’

20th August 2024 - Drowning levels continue to increase despite ever increasing resources

19th August 2024 - Cardinia Shire launches new water safety program

16th August 2024 - Coroner hears that ‘significant failings’ led to 2020 child drowning death at remote Northern Territory swimming pool

25th July 2024 - Royal Life Saving highlights importance of World Drowning Prevention Day

2nd July 2024 - Aligned Leisure takes over management of seven Casey major leisure facilities

28th February 2024 - Aquatic Industry event highlights achievements of drowning prevention campaigns

5th April 2023 - Aligned Leisure partners with Water Polo Australia to drive participation growth

9th March 2021 - Cardinia Shire Council’s Aboriginal and CALD Sports Assistance Program now open

24th December 2018 - Surf message aims to keep multicultural community safe on the beaches and waterways

7th December 2018 - Australian Water Safety council addresses drowning among multicultural communities

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.