Beach Energy Executive VP Onshore Assets Glenn Watt, Mitsui E&P Australia CEO Ken Yamamura and Royal Life Saving WA CEO Peter Leaversuch at Geraldton Aquarena
New partnership brings essential swimming skills to Mid West kids
Royal Life Saving WA has partnered with Mitsui E&P Australia and Beach Energy to provide lifesaving swimming and water safety lessons to over 1,400 children in the Mid West.
The new partnership comes at a critical time, with many families cutting back on activities such as swimming lessons due to cost-of-living pressures. Thousands of vulnerable children are missing out on the opportunity to learn to swim, with regional areas particularly affected.
Royal Life Saving WA estimates that 21% of primary school-aged children in WA miss out on swimming lessons each year, but learning to swim is a vital life skill for Western Australian children, especially in a state where aquatic activity plays an important role.
Royal Life Saving WA CEO Peter Leaversuch says that children who miss out on swimming and water safety education face an increased risk of drowning.
“They may lack the essential water skills and confidence needed to stay safe around water. Lessons not only teach swimming techniques but also survival strategies such as floating, treading water and self rescue – skills that are crucial for water safety.”
The Mid West has the
second-highest drowning rate in WA.
Royal Life Saving WA, Mitsui E&P Australia and Beach Energy are determined to address this issue by delivering subsidized
Swim and Survive programs in Geraldton, Coorow, Eneabba and Mullewa to ensure that every child in the Mid West region has access to lifesaving swimming lessons.
Mitsui E&P Australia CEO Ken Yamamura says the partnership is investing in the future and safety of children in the Mid West.
“It is equipping more than 1,400 children with the skills they need to thrive in and around the water, and we are very proud to support the community of the Mid West in this way.”
The programs funded by the partnership will focus on teaching essential water safety skills, empowering children to be safe and confident in the water and taking an in important step toward reducing drowning rates across Western Australia.