The pool catering for the remote Aboriginal community of Burringurrah came to life on Sunday for its annual family fun day.

As Pool Manager Mel Warren explains “Burringurrah has been almost a ghost town since before Christmas, with a lot of families out of community.

“However, in the last week, 75% have returned (so) it was fantastic to see so many faces back in the community and so many faces back enjoying the pool!”

With parents and carers encouraged to come down to the pool and spend the day with their little ones for the fun day, Warren adds “we had a massive turnout with over 45 people using the pool throughout the day. It was fantastic to see parents at the pool interacting with their children.

“We had music, games and fruit platters to help the day - overall the day was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended.”

Promoted by Royal Life Saving Society WA, community events such as Burringurrah Family Fun Day are seen as being vital in encouraging swimming and water safety in Indigenous communities.

Research has found that the drowning rate among Australian Aboriginals is three times higher than other Australian children aged 14 years and under, and is ranked the second-most-common cause of injury death. A review of drowning data indicates limited water safety awareness combined with alarmingly low participation levels in swimming and water safety programs as key factors.

Royal Life Saving WA has many years' experience working in remote communities.

Its Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools Project (RASPP) is funded primarily through the Western Australian Department of Communities with additional contribution made through BHP and the Telethon Kids Institute.

The Project focuses on providing the remote communities of Burringurrah, Jigalong, Yandeyarra, Bidyadanga, Warmun and Fitzroy Crossing with recreational and educational swimming programs, to encourage safe aquatic participation.

Royal Life Saving pool managers live in each community for nine months of the year, maintaining the pools and delivering community programs which include swimming lessons, swimming and lifesaving carnivals, birthday parties, after-school and holiday swimming, lap swimming, lifesaving training and other activities at the request of the community.

Click here for more information on the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools Project. 

Image of Burringurrah pool youngsters courtesy of Royal Life Saving WA.

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