In the last financial year, 280 people drowned in
Australia, many of whom were from Culturally and Liguistically Diverse (CaLD)
backgrounds. To help reduce the number of water incidents and fatalities, we
are proud to be funding a Life Saving Victoria aquatic skills program for CaLD
youth that is taking place in Melbourne’s South Eastern Suburbs.
Nearly 400 multiculatural school students from the
Middle East, Asia and Africa are participating in six fun and inclusive Life
Saving Victoria beach days at Bonbeach and Edithvale Life Saving Clubs.
For many CaLD youth and families, this is their
first ever experience of an Australian beach. As such there is a lack of basic
water safety knowledge such as how to identify rips or deal with an emergency. The
program aims to reduce the number of water incidents and fatalities within CaLD
communities by encouraging participation and raising water safety knowledge.
Importantly, the program will also help foster
positive relationships between CaLD community members and local aquatic
recreation facilities. This will deliver ongoing benefits for the wider
community through the encouragement of social inclusion and celebration of
diverse people and cultures.
Read more about our partnership here.