MELBOURNE: Sixteen men and 17 women were recognised for completing a new swimming and water safety program, created to prevent drownings in multicultural communities.
In a post on Linkedin, Julian Hill, Federal Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs said, ” Those of us who’ve grown up in Australia can take swimming lessons & beach culture for granted. But for many migrants, water safety classes save lives. Congratulations to Life Saving Victoria and Sikh Gurudwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar the first graduates! Role models for everyone.”
The Safely Engaging with Water pilot program had participants take part in 10 weeks of swimming lessons and water safety education to help keep themselves, their friends and their loved ones safe in the water.
The pilot program is a partnership between the Sikh community’s Officer Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar in Melbourne’s southeast, pool facility operator Aligned Leisure and Life Saving Victoria. The program started earlier this year and now has a waiting list of more than 60 wanting to take part.
The first group of successful program participants was congratulated today at a graduation ceremony attended by members of the Sikh community and dignitaries from all tiers of government.
Dr. Harpreet Singh Kandra, an active community member and an academic at Federation University who instigated the program, said the new graduates had shown great dedication and courage to take part in the initiative and improve their water safety skills. Of the 37 participants who started, 33 have graduated- demonstrating commitment to making drownings a history.
“This group of men and women has worked hard and challenged themselves to build their water safety abilities and knowledge,” Dr. Kandra said. “We are so proud of them and what they’ve achieved. They will now be role models and leaders in our community who will help spread the word on water safety. “I also hope this program shows the way forward to improving water safety for multicultural communities across Victoria and Australia.”
Harpreet mentioned that this pilot initiative is being appreciated Victoria wide and more centres in Caroline Springs, Casey, Dandenong signing up to run this.
Dignitaries who attended the event included-
• Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
• Cassandra Fernando, Federal MP for Holt
• Emma Vulin, State Member Pakenham
• Lee Tarlamis, Member for the Southeastern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Legislative Council
• Michael Galea, Member for the Southeastern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian
Legislative Council
• Jack Kowarzik, Mayor Cardinia Shire Council and
• Viv Nguyen, Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
It was recently revealed that, culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians are over-represented in drowning statistics, being five times more likely to drown while swimming than the general population.
LSV Strategic Adviser – Diversity and Inclusion Community Outreach David Holland said role models were an integral part of empowering multicultural communities to safely enjoy the water.
“This program gives participants vital water safety skills and equips them to lead by example in their community to drive home the importance of water safety,” Mr. Holland said.
For further information, contact Harpreet Singh @0447 02 8688 or info@sgnd.com.au
