Remote Pilbara children show off their new skills
Royal Life Saving WA is determined to ensure people right across Western Australia have access to learn swimming and water safety skills. Unfortunately for those in regional and remote locations there is often a lack of instructors available to run these important classes.
During March Royal Life Saving partnered with Ngurra Kujungka to conduct swimming lessons in the Pilbara communities of Newman, Jigalong, Nullagine and Marble Bar. Swim Instructors Amy Wylde and Deb Gill from RLSSWA travelled to these communities to teach children from local schools.
Amy spent an afternoon conducting lessons in Newman with the Martu Aboriginal children, followed by a day trip out to Jigalong and Nullagine with the Ngurra Kujungka staff to hold swimming lessons in the local water holes. A total of 67 children took part in the lessons across the four communities.
Later in the week children travelled from Marble Bar, Nullagine, Punmu, Warralong/Strelley and Kunawarritji to enjoy a stay at the Marble Bar Caravan park in their swags overnight before a swimming carnival the following day.
91 children took part in the carnival, which included races such as 50m & 25m freestyle, 25m breaststroke, rescue tube relays & a parent/teacher relay. The kids thoroughly enjoyed showing off their competitive skills, with ribbons give to the placegetters. After all the fun of the carnival the children enjoyed a BBQ lunch as a treat for all their hard work! Warralong Community School were crowned Champion School of the Carnival.
Instructor Amy Wylde says the whole experience was incredible. “To be able to teach out in the remote communities was amazing. I felt extremely honoured to share some very important lifesaving knowledge with kids who were so stoked to be in the water and learning some new skills. Teaching out in the local water holes was definitely a highlight and tops my favourite swim teaching location. It was just beautiful to get a glimpse into the amazing communities in the Pilbara and experience more of the rich and beautiful indigenous culture."
Royal Life Saving often has opportunities for swim instructors to take part in programs across regional WA. If you’d like to register your interest in taking part you can complete the form at the link below.
