Award winner Jessica Albers (centre), with local students Imrahn and Zarhani
Yandeyarra resident receives Presidents Award
Last week Pilbara Development Officer Jacqui Forbes visited the Yandeyarra Remote Community School and while there she took the opportunity to present a Royal Life Saving WA Honours Award to a very deserving recipient.
Jessica Albers is a teacher at the Yandeyarra Remote Community School and has been a long-time supporter of the Yandeyarra Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool. She organises times and permissions for Swim and Survive lessons and assists with swimming carnivals and other events at the pool. Jessica also ensures the students from Yandeyarra are able to take part in the annual Spirit Swimming and Lifesaving Carnival, which brings together students from communities across the Pilbara each year.
Jessica is a strong advocate for the No School, No Pool policy, which aims to improve school attendance in the community by using access to the pool as an incentive. She also encouraged the development of job skills among her students by arranging for high school VET students to complete work experience at the pool and supporting senior students to complete their First Aid and Pool Lifeguard training.
Jessica was presented with a WA President Award, which recognises exceptional service or contributions to the operations of the Royal Life Saving Society WA. The students at the school all enjoyed seeing Jessica’s President Award medal and thought she looked like a queen while wearing it!
Jessica is photographed above with two of the senior students, Imrahn and Zarhani, who she mentored through their First Aid and Pool Lifeguard training – including gaining the qualifications herself so she can support her students!
Jacqui Forbes, who also previously managed the Yandeyarra pool, said “Jessica has been living and working in the Yandeyarra community for the past 10 years and she has been instrumental in the relationship with Royal Life Saving. She is a very deserving recipient of the award!”
Royal Life Saving WA wishes to thank Jessica for her amazing support, and for everything she makes possible in Yandeyarra!
You can find out more about the work being done at the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool in Yandeyarra and other communities across WA at the link below.
