KindiLink families take the plunge in Halls Creek water safety sessions

For families in Halls Creek, opportunities to access early childhood swimming and water safety education are extremely limited. To help address this gap, Royal Life Saving WA recently delivered free water safety sessions through the local KindiLink program at the Halls Creek Aquatic and Recreation Centre. 

Held from 17 to 28 March, the initiative provided Infant Aquatics lessons for children aged 0–3 years, alongside Heart Beat Club training for parents and carers. These sessions gave families a rare opportunity to enjoy time in the water together while learning vital skills to keep their little ones safe. 

This latest KindiLink program follows on from earlier successful initiatives in the region, including Infant Aquatics lessons and school-based Swim and Survive sessions for students at Warlawurru Catholic School. After-school swimming lessons were also made available to children from the wider Halls Creek community, all designed to improve water safety and access to lifesaving skills in this remote part of Western Australia. 

The Heart Beat Club is a community education initiative that aims to increase participants’ skills and confidence in CPR and first aid for infants and young children. Delivered as a three-hour session, the program is tailored for parents and carers of children under five- the age group most at risk of drowning in Australia. While active adult supervision is the best strategy for preventing drowning, having the knowledge and confidence to perform CPR in an emergency could be lifesaving. 

The session covers infant and child CPR, and first aid for common childhood injuries and emergencies such as choking, burns, poisoning, falls and shock. Participants also learn practical prevention strategies and how to create safer environments at home and in the community. 

For KindiLink facilitator Danielle Eitzen, who has lived in Halls Creek for over a year, the experience was a memorable one. 

“Our KindiLink kiddos and their families thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful time of water fun with the amazing Miss Amanda,” Danielle shared.  

“Amanda paced all activities and instructions beyond perfection to engage everyone. There was singing, smiling and lots of water learning.” 

With no structured swimming school in the area, this was a first-time experience for many local families. Royal Life Saving WA’s instructors ensured every participant felt supported, helping to build confidence and comfort around water. 

Aquatic programs like these are essential for promoting health, wellbeing, and safety in regional and remote communities. In places like Halls Creek, where temperatures soar and natural waterways can be hazardous, access to structured swimming and first aid education is crucial. 

Thanks to the support of Lotterywest and the Shire of Halls Creek, Royal Life Saving WA continues to provide lifesaving education that equips families with the knowledge and skills they need to prevent drowning and respond effectively in emergencies. 

By empowering both children and their caregivers, programs like these are helping to build stronger, safer communities across regional Western Australia. 

Read more about our work in regional and remote communities at the link below.