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With statistics showing that over the past 10 years 39% of drowning deaths in Western Australian involved a person born overseas, one of Royal Life Saving Society WA's key objectives is to introduce the Swim and Survive swimming and water safety program to all cultural groups across the state.

Royal Life Saving WA also cites research which shows that within multi-cultural groups there are alarmingly low participation levels in swimming and water safety programs, while their awareness of the importance of swimming and water safety and lifesaving skills is significantly lower than the rest of the population.

With these factors contributing to their over-representation in drowning statistics, Royal Life Saving WA Senior Manager Education, Trent Hotchkin explains “we continue to work hard right across Western Australia, partnering with relevant community groups to ensure those from all cultural and social backgrounds acquire vital swimming and water safety skills. We are committed to teaching every child to Swim & Survive, and we recognise that this task is even more important given WA’s climate and lifestyle that encourages so much activity in and on the water. We’re determined to ensure each new generation acquires these skills, and no-one misses out, no matter who they are or where they live.”

As part of this commitment Royal Life Saving WA’s Swim and Survive Access & Equity Program, supported by Principal Community Partner BHP, has this month brought specialised multicultural swimming and water safety classes to Kalgoorlie for the first time, during Harmony Week. The program aims to reduce barriers to participation, by providing culturally appropriate, quality swimming and water safety lessons for children and adults who may otherwise miss out.

The Kalgoorlie program at the Goldfields Oasis began on Saturday 13th March, with a water safety talk, followed by one hour of adult swimming lessons. Then throughout last week, and into this week, qualified instructors are running multicultural children’s Swim and Survive classes for stages one through to six, while adults are enjoying a series of three intensive one hour Swim and Survive lessons to learn new skills or build on existing ones.

The Kalgoorlie program has been attended by dozens of women and children.

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