Great turnout for Goldfields Spirit Carnival

The annual Goldfields Spirit Carnival was held at the Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre last week with the support of BHP. 132 year 5 and 6 students from the six Goldfields primary schools of CAPS Kurrawang, CAPS Coolgardie, Coolgardie Primary School, East Kalgoorlie Primary School, O’Connor Primary School and South Kalgoorlie Primary School attended the day. 

The day was filled with fun, participation and inclusivity including crowd-pleasing events like the obstacle race, rescue tube relay, rope throw, and artistic swimming. Local youth assisted with the events via the Royal Life Saving WA Talent Pool Academy employment pathways program. 

Vital swimming skills and strokes such as freestyle and breaststroke were finessed along with water safety skills such as wearing lifejackets and learning how to rescue a friend. Students focused on huddling, entry and floating with lifejackets. They also perfected signaling for help.  

Royal Life Saving Senior Manager of Swimming and Water Safety Education Trent Hotchkin says events like the Spirit Carnival are an important way to build swimming and water safety skills in regional communities.  

“People in regional WA face unique safety challenges and are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a drowning incident than people living in the Perth metropolitan area. Teaching children to Swim and Survive is a fundamental part of ensuring their safety around the water, building resilience, and providing them with the tools they need to lead active lives while making a positive contribution to their local community.” 

“These swimming and lifesaving carnivals are a great opportunity for children to come together and gain valuable skills to participate in a range of fun and interactive activities aimed at developing skills to create the next wave of local community lifesavers.” 

In the spirit of National Reconciliation Week theme, 'Now more than ever'' couldn't be more fitting as everyone should be given the right to access swimming in order to Swim and Survive. We must engage and encourage everyone and what better way to do that, than to travel and show these kids skills that will last them the test of time.  

Their teachers certainly appreciated it with Hamish from O'Connor Primary School, thanking Royal Life Saving WA for an awesome day! ''All the kids had a great time, and it was so good to see the emphasis on fun and inclusion whilst still learning important skills'', Hamish said. 

In the same vein, teachers from Coolgardie loved seeing the kids ''lap it up'' (pun intended), have a go and smiling for hours on end. One participant also let staff know that "this was the best carnival they've ever been to!” while showing their collection of ribbons.  

Fun aside, the carnivals also highlight the need for more education in regions such as the Goldfields with research showing that poor swimming skills contributed to 22% of drowning deaths recorded in the Goldfields region over the past ten years.  

Rachel Donkin, Manager WA Community BHP, says this important partnership with Royal Life Saving WA is one that is making a real difference in drowning prevention right across the state. Water safety programs like the Spirit Carnival are extremely important, particularly in regional communities, where children face a greater risk of drowning. We are proud to have partnered with Royal Life Saving WA for the past 20 years to support vital swimming, water safety and lifesaving programs, making a real difference to communities and children in the Goldfields.” 

To find out more information regional and remote participation, follow the link below.