Royal Life Saving joins the fun of the Chinese New Year Fair

Royal Life Saving WA’s Swim and Survive Access and Equity team attended the recent Perth Chinese New Year Fair, celebrating the Year of the Ox. The event was organised by the Chung Wah Association and held at the Perth Cultural Centre.

Royal Life Saving has built a strong partnership with the Chung Wah Association over recent years, as we work to ensure members of WA’s multicultural communities have access to culturally appropriate swimming and water safety classes. These classes are extremely important as recent data shows that more than one third of drowning deaths in WA over the past ten years have involved a person who was born overseas.

Research also shows that those who come to Australia from overseas have far less awareness about the importance of swimming and lifesaving skills than the rest of the population. This means that ensuring West Australians from culturally diverse backgrounds are able to learn vital swimming and water safety skills is crucial as we take steps to turn these figures around.

During the recent Festival our staff, Achol Madong and Rochelle Graham, had an opportunity to speak to people who attended our stall, informing them about our multicultural men’s, women’s and children’s Swim and Survive programs. They also ran a prize wheel, giving away a whole range of prizes including Swim and Survive packs, Royal Life Saving duck toys and water bottles.

Royal Life Saving WA’s involvement with cultural festivals, such as those presented by Chung Wah throughout the year, is extremely important in introducing those from other cultures to the availability of swimming and water safety education programs for their community. You can find out more about our work in multicultural communities across WA at the link below.