Landmarks Go Blue to mark World Drowning Prevention Day

July 25, 2023

As dusk falls over Australia this evening, landmarks across the country will light up in a deep blue to both remember those who have been lost to drowning, and as a reminder that “anyone can drown, but no one should”.

Marking World Drowning Prevention Day, 25th July, a globally recognised day, people are asked to think of the estimated 236,000 people lost to drowning annually as well as those who are left with life-long disability as a result of non-fatal drowning.

Explaining how the United Nation’s declared World Drowning Prevention Day provides everyone in the community with a chance to reflect, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia Chief Executive, Justin Scarr stated “drowning does not discriminate; whether you are eight months old or eighty, living in a capital city or a country town, drowning is a significant risk.

“World Drowning Prevention Day is a chance for everyone to reflect on what they can do to protect themselves and the people they love from drowning.

“The blue light on landmarks tonight is significant and we thank all those organisations who are supporting World Drowning Prevention Day in this way.

“While Australia is well advanced in drowning prevention efforts, there is still much more to be done.

“If everyone did these five things, we could reduce the drowning rate in Australia dramatically: always supervise children around water; avoid alcohol around water; wear a lifejacket when boating and fishing; know the conditions; and avoid going alone.”

In May, the 76th World Health Assembly adopted its first ever resolution on drowning prevention. The resolution accepts the invitation of the United Nations General Assembly for the World Health Organization to coordinate actions within the United Nations system on drowning prevention and facilitate the observance of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25th July each year.

Landmarks around Australia turning blue include:

ACT - National Film and Sound Archive, John Gorton Building, Old Parliament House, The National Carillion, The Treasury Building, Questacon, Ian Potter Learning Centre

Northern Territory - Darwin Convention Centre, City of Darwin Civic Centre, The fountain on Speaker’s Green Parliament House, The Palmerston Water Tower, Recreation Centre, Library and Frances Light Pole.

Queensland - Brisbane Story Bridge, Townsville Sign, Victoria Bridge, Wharton Reef Lighthouse, George Roberts Bridge, Old Magistrates Court House, Central Park Boardwalk, Little Fletcher Bridge

South Australia - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Riverbank Footbridge

Tasmania - Wrest Point Hotel, Hobart Waterfront and Tasmania Bridge

Victoria - Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne City Baths,

Western Australia - Matagarup Bridge (the new bridge crossing to Optus Stadium), Council House, Joondalup Driver Bridge, Mount Street Bridge, Northbridge Tunnel, Sky Ribbon, Mandurah Bridge, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Image: Perth's Matagarup Bridge (top) and the Melbourne Town Hall (below) turn blue.

25th July 2023 - AUSTSWIM marks World Drowning Prevention Day with call for more Australians to become swim teachers

20th July 2023 - SWIM Australia and AUSTSWIM join forces to reduce drowning rate

11th July 2023 - 25th July marks World Drowning Prevention Day

3rd June 2023 - World Aquatics welcomes WHA resolution on drowning prevention

2nd June 2023 - World Health Assembly adopts first ever resolution on drowning prevention

21st March 2023 - Lynxight Drowning Prevention Technology enters the Australian market

4th March 2023 - Summer drownings figures reveal 90 deaths across Australia

24th February 2023 - New resolution for global drowning prevention championed by 60 nations

11th February 2023 - Drownings highlight need for education on rip currents

9th November 2022 - More than 500 children lose their lives to drowning over past two decades

16th September 2022 - 2021/22 drowning toll the highest in more than 25 years

5th August 2022 - Swim It Forward 2022 campaign launched by Swim Australia ahead of peak drowning season

22nd July 2022 - AUSTSWIM to mark World Drowning Prevention Day with discounted courses for new teachers

22nd July 2022 - Key Royal Life Saving research shows drowning risk of dams, ponds and irrigation channels

7th June 2022 - Counting down to World Drowning Prevention Day 2022

1st March 2022 - Venues around the world light up in solidarity with Ukraine

18th March 2017 - Australia’s Big Things go green for St Patrick’s Day

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