On the Coast – Families Issue 96 I October/November 2019 | Page 23

Central Coast Council
Council grant helps put
new Australians in the swim
A group of culturally and linguistically
diverse (CALD) adults who live on the
Coast are now much safer in the water,
thanks to funding from Central Coast
Council.
Council’s Community Grants Program
provided $11,850 to Royal Life Saving
NSW to run a 10-week swimming and
water safety program for 50 adults.
Royal Life Saving NSW Hunter/Central
Coast Regional Manager Tanya
Brunckhorst said the number of new
migrants unable to swim is extremely
high in comparison to other Australians,
and members of the CALD community
were often unaware of the importance of
water safety.
“In 2016-17, 93 people drowned in
NSW, which is more than any other state
or territory,” Ms Brunckhorst said.
“A number of these drownings were
people from CALD backgrounds.
“The CALD swimming and water
safety program has been a great success.
Each lesson, participants learnt basic
swimming and survival techniques
including floating, movement skills, basic
rescues and stroke development.
“Children from CALD communities
also have low rates of participation in
swimming lessons. The program has
not only taught CALD parents how to
swim but hopefully they will see the
importance of this vital life skill and enrol
their children in learn-to-swim programs.”
Mayor Jane Smith said community
safety was a key priority for Council and
supporting programs such as this meant
people from CALD backgrounds would
be better able to enjoy the Coastal
lifestyle.
“Council is proud to be able to help
fund projects which enable residents to
participate in an active lifestyle,” Mayor
Smith said.
“The newly acquired skills and water
confidence will equip the participants in
this program with the ability to enjoy the
Coast’s many waterways, leisure centres
and backyard pools.”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER – ISSUE 96
23