Posted on December 4th, 2024

Drowning remains a critical public safety issue in Australia, with an average of 285 people losing their lives to drowning each year and countless others affected by non-fatal incidents. Alarmingly, 34% of drowning fatalities involve individuals born overseas, highlighting the urgent need for targeted water safety education in multicultural communities like Fairfield.

To address this issue, Cabra-Vale Diggers is proud to partner with Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSNSW) to support a vital initiative: Learn to Swim Classes for Vietnamese and Khmer communities at the Cabravale Leisure Centre.

Swimming and aquatic recreation are integral to Australian culture, yet many migrants face barriers when accessing water safety education, increasing their risk of drowning. In Western Sydney alone, between 2011 and 2021, 57% of drowning deaths involved individuals born overseas, with disadvantaged areas accounting for 77% of the drowning rate.

Recognising this disparity, RLSNSW has launched a 10-week Learn to Swim program for 40 residents from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds across Fairfield, Cabravale Leisure, and Prairiewood Leisure Centres. The program will run from Term 4 of 2024 through Term 2 of 2025, providing participants with essential swimming skills and water safety education.

In addition to swimming lessons, the program will offer a comprehensive water safety awareness session. This session will cover essential topics, including:

• Basic CPR techniques
• Safety tips for various aquatic environments
• How to respond to water-related emergencies

Participants will receive an informative introduction pack before their first lesson, detailing what to expect, guidance on appropriate swim attire, and translated fact sheets containing critical water safety information.

Empowering Communities Through Education

This program aims to do more than teach swimming—it seeks to empower participants with the confidence and skills needed to stay safe in and around water. By fostering water safety awareness, the program is expected to create a ripple effect within the community, as participants pass on their knowledge to their children and extended families.

The partnership with Asian Women at Work ensures that participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly those with little to no swimming experience, have access to this life-saving education.

Beyond safety, participants will experience the numerous physical and social benefits of swimming, including improved fitness, mental well-being, and increased community connection. The program aligns with our key priority areas of:

• Access and Inclusion
• Community Wellbeing
• Cultural Diversity
• Health

Cabra-Vale Diggers is committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of our diverse community. We extend our congratulations to the program participants who have already made significant progress, gaining confidence and competence in the water.

By investing in programs like this, we aim to build a safer, healthier, and more inclusive Fairfield community. Together with Royal Life Saving Australia, we are making strides towards reducing drowning incidents and promoting a culture of water safety for all.

For more information on the Learn to Swim program or to get involved, please contact the Royal Life Saving Australia’s website.