Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

YMCA’s Leisa Hart calls for national water safety education program for children

YMCA’s Leisa Hart calls for national water safety education program for children
December 3, 2016

With summer having commenced and the swimming season underway, and following the recent tragic drowning deaths of children in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, YMCA NSW Chief Executive Leisa Hart has called on the Federal Government to make a national water safety education program for our children an urgent priority.

Sharing her opinion with industry media, Hart states “in this water-worshipping nation, swimming lessons still aren’t mandatory (and) they can also be hard for many families to access.”

Hart acknowledges that the  Victorian Government’s recent plan to make primary schools responsible for teaching children to swim as part of the curriculum is a step in the right direction, but she believes that Governments both State and Federal must play a larger role in the funding and implementation of such a scheme.

Hart explains “here’s the problem with the status quo ... 11 children aged between five and 14 died in Australian waterways over a 12 month period to July (according to the Royal Life Saving Society’s National Drowning Report 2016) two more than in the previous year.

“Since this report was released, we know of four more children who have drowned.

“Astonishingly, it’s thought that three out of five Australian children leave primary school without basic swimming skills. This means that more than half of all Australian 12 year olds don’t have any training to draw upon to save their lives if they come into danger in the water.

“Organisations like the YMCA, a not-for-profit that’s one of the largest providers of swimming lessons across NSW, can only reach kids who live where our services are, or whose parents have the time and the means to send them to regular lessons.

“But the fact remains that thousands of Australian kids will never have a swimming lesson.”

Hart sees that the solution to reducing deaths in the water doesn’t rest with just one organisation, one strategy, or one government, adding “as a 2014 report on drowning by The World Health Organization recognised.

“What is needed is a multi-organisation approach, led by the Federal Government.

“All Australian kids, regardless of their background, address or means, deserve the skills to survive.”

2nd December 2016 - VICTORIAN SCHOOLS TO BE REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN SWIM

25th November 2016 - ROYAL LIFE SAVING FORMS COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE GUIDELINES FOR SAFE POOL OPERATIONS

23rd September 2016 - YMCA NSW OFFERS FREE SWIMMING LESSONS FOR CHILDREN THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

20th September 2016 - DROWNING FIGURES DEMONSTRATE IMPORTANCE OF LEARN-TO-SWIM PROGRAMS

15th September 2016 - NEW REPORT SHOWS NO IMPROVEMENT IN ANNUAL DROWNING FIGURES

5th July 2016 - AUSTSWIM AND YMCA NSW JOIN FORCES ON WATER SAFETY

26th November 2010 - YMCA URGES PARENTS TO KEEP CHILDREN’S WATER SAFETY SKILLS A PRIORITY

17th November 2010 - ONE IN FIVE AUSSIE KIDS CAN’T SWIM


Asking a small favour

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

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.


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.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

The Jump Pad

The Jump Pad is a safe, flat inflatable made in a variety of sizes which can be used indoor or outdoor. From 3mx3m up to a whopping 9mx21m. Markets include Indoor and outdoor playgrounds, schools,…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Play

 
 

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Humanforce

Humanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Technology / Venues

 
 

Ausfit

Ausfit began in 1992, providing software services to the health and fitness sector including ClubWise, a fully hosted web-based product which combines state of the art club management software,…

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 

Aussie Strength

Commercial gym equipment supplier Aussie Strength was wound up at the end of 2022.    .aussie p { padding:20px; }

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976, and has since grown into a leading company in the waterparks industry. Today Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, production, and installation of…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business