Kalgoorlie Stars Foundation students learn First Aid skills

Royal Life Saving WA’s Talent Pool program recently conducted the first of a series of First Aid courses with students from the Stars Foundation in Kalgoorlie. The Stars Foundation is a mentorship program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women, offering intensive support programs for Indigenous girls in schools. The Foundation aims to improve health and education outcomes for this at-risk group.

Royal Life Saving WA has partnered with the Stars Foundation to provide a series of First Aid workshops with the girls over the coming weeks, which will see 75 students from Kalgoorlie complete the HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course. The course will not only provide important and useful lifesaving skills but will also serve to increase the girls’ confidence and will add to their future employment prospects.

The first session was attended by 14 students from Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School. The group was led by Royal Life Saving WA Trainer Heather Preston, who taught the girls all aspects of what is needed to become a first responder and provide first aid assistance.

The students were very engaged with the practical, hands-on training which included practising CPR on manikins for both adults and infants, recognising, treating and managing a casualty, as well as dealing with bleeding and wounds using bandages and slings.

Royal Life Saving WA's Talent Pool program provides training for skills development and employment opportunities for young Aboriginal people. Senior Manager Community Development Tim Turner, who oversees the Talent Pool program, said the girls really enjoyed the course. “The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive and they look forward to more training for Bronze Medallion and Pool Lifeguard with Royal Life Saving WA.” 

The next step for these girls through the Talent Pool program is to build their skillset to include the necessary skills and knowledge for possible work in the aquatic industry. The program is being supported by Principal Community Partner BHP.

Learn more about the work the Talent Pool program is doing with Indigenous groups at the link below.