Making a splash across the Midwest
This Term 1, Royal Life Saving WA delivered vital swimming and water safety education across the Midwest region, helping local children and families develop lifesaving skills while building stronger, more connected communities.
Programs ran from February to April and reached towns including Geraldton, Coorow, Eneabba, and Three Springs.
In Geraldton, 15 children participated in Swim and Survive lessons at the Aquarena, while a new pilot of the Specialised Access Inclusion Lessons (SAIL) program was introduced, providing six one-on-one lessons tailored to children with disabilities or additional needs.
In Coorow, 43 children from Coorow and surrounding areas including Carnamah took part in Infant Aquatics and Swim and Survive programs. Meanwhile, in Three Springs, another 17 children learned important swimming and safety skills, and families in Eneabba also benefited from Infant and Swim and Survive sessions. Water Safety Talks were also delivered in these locations throughout the term.
Royal Life Saving WA is committed to reducing the risk of drowning in regional and remote areas, where children aged 5 to 14 years are five times more likely to drown than those in the Perth metropolitan area. Alarmingly, over 60 per cent of child drowning deaths in this age group occur outside of the metro region.
Aquatic facilities in regional and remote communities serve a much greater purpose than recreation alone. In places like Geraldton and surrounding towns, pools act as a central hub for health and wellbeing. They provide a safe and cool space for recreation, particularly in areas where people have traditionally relied on rivers or dams. These facilities also foster stronger social connections and promote improved community behaviour and school attendance through initiatives like the “no school, no pool” policy. They help combat chronic health issues too, with studies showing they contribute to better outcomes in areas where skin, ear, nose, and eye conditions are common.
Inclusive programs like SAIL ensure that all children, regardless of ability, have access to water safety education. Children with disabilities often face barriers to participating in swimming lessons, and the SAIL initiative is designed to break down those obstacles by providing targeted and supportive learning environments. The pilot in Geraldton, supported through the Swim and Survive Fund, marks a positive step forward in ensuring that every child has an opportunity to be safe around water.
“It is important that all members of our community, including people with a disability, have access to swimming and water education, and that they can access this at their local aquatic centre,” said Royal Life Saving WA Inclusion Manager Achol Madong.
“Our vision is a water-loving nation free from drowning. The Access and Equity work removes barriers to participation by providing at-risk communities access to vital swimming and water safety programs.”
These programs would not be possible without the ongoing support of Royal Life Saving WA’s valued partners. Funding from Mitsui E&P and Beach Energy played a key role in delivering these community-based programs and ensuring they remain accessible to families in the region.
Royal Life Saving WA is proud to work alongside local partners to empower regional communities and provide every Western Australian, no matter where they live or what their needs may be, the opportunity to develop essential swimming and water safety skills.
Learn more about our Access and Equity portfolio at the link below.
