Cyclone halts Yandeyarra Bronze course

Six students from Hedland Senior High School visited the Yandeyarra Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool in December last year to undertake a Bronze Medallion course. Unfortunately, due to a tropical cyclone that was forming off the Pilbara coast, the course had to be cut short ahead of severe weather warnings issued for the region.

Yandeyarra Pool Manager Sandra McKenzie said that despite not being able to complete the course, it was still a boost to the confidence of the participants. “What was to be a Bronze Medallion course turned into a training session to help everyone with their confidence,” she said. 

“Bronze Medallion gives the participants a sense of achievement and confidence. It expands on the ability to swim by showing them that they can save a life. Although these kids were not ready to complete the course, I feel confident that we have shown them that they are able to do this.”

The Hedland students were part of a teenage engagement program being taught by Jessica Albers, who is a secondary teacher and the VET coordinator at the Yandeyarra Remote Community School. Jessica has been a long-time supporter of the Yandeyarra Pool and the work of Royal Life Saving WA, regularly collaborating with “Sandy@Yandy” to encourage student participation in the pool’s swimming programs.

“Many thanks to Jessica for organising for the participants to come to Yandeyarra for the day,” said Sandra. “Although we did not achieve all that we had hoped, both the participants and the Yandeyarra children had a great time. The Yandeyarra children were very welcoming and made excellent rescue patients! We hope that at some point in Term 1 we will be able to complete the course here at Yandy.”

Programs such as these are made possible thanks to the support of Principal Community Partner BHP. Learn more about the importance of the Yandeyarra Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool, and similar pools in remote communities across WA at the link below.