Last week, 37 newly arrived refugee and migrant youngsters had a splashing good time at the Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre. The good fun was all part of teaching them vital water safety and survival skills through VICSWIM’s Cultural Program.

Run over five days, in partnership with Hobsons Bay City Council and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, the program is about more than just learning to swim. The sessions also aim to provide culturally and linguistically diverse children and youth with all-important lifesaving and social skills.
 
Participants developed their water safety skills while playing games delivered by qualified bilingual Austswim instructors. At the end of the program, each child was rewarded with a Western Bulldogs showbag and, for the first time, received a VICSWIM swimming cap and goggles to continue their swimming practice.

And it’s not just the students who benefit from the program, with refugee youth and adults afforded employment opportunities. All of the supportive instructors have graduated from the Western Bulldogs’ Western Refugees Aquatic Program (WRAP), and provide bilingual support to students and their parents.

This year, four Karen graduates from 2008 and 2010 were employed to teach the VICSWIM Cultural Program, while three trainees completed their initial aquatic industry experience. The trainees were recently sponsored by Hobsons Bay City Council to complete their Austswim course and are currently in training to finish off their practical skills and work placements with Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre.

The VICSWIM Cultural Program will return in the September school holidays. We look forward to increasing participation and encouraging children and young people from cultural communities to get involved.