Harpreet Singh Kandra, a community volunteer and senior lecturer in water engineering at Federation University, emphasizes the importance of learning how to swim for migrants settling in Australia. He believes that just like learning to drive helps migrants access opportunities, learning to swim is essential for safety and the enjoyment of water-related activities. This message is particularly relevant for Victoria’s Indian community, which experienced multiple drownings last summer. Kandra is leading a pilot program in south-east Melbourne in collaboration with Lifesaving Victoria and pool operator Aligned Leisure to increase water safety awareness among adults.
The pilot program aims to provide subsidised swimming lessons for 20 adults, with an equal representation of 10 men and 10 women, over a 10-week period. The lessons are made possible thanks to the generous subsidy from Aligned Leisure. In addition to the swimming lessons, Lifesaving Victoria’s strategic adviser for diversity, David Holland, mentioned that the organization will conduct educational sessions in community halls and places of worship, as well as organize excursions to beaches and pools to further improve water safety education. This holistic approach to water safety will help adults in the Indian community build confidence in the water and reduce the risk of drowning incidents.
Kandra’s personal motivation to learn how to swim stems from his desire to enjoy water activities with his nine-year-old daughter. He believes that acquiring the skill of swimming is not only crucial for safety but also for enhancing the quality of life in Australia. Drawing a parallel with learning to drive, which is seen as a necessity for livelihood, Kandra underscores the importance of swimming as a life skill that enables individuals to fully engage in recreational opportunities. By taking the initiative to learn how to swim and encouraging others in the community to do the same, Kandra hopes to foster a culture of water safety and enjoyment among migrants in Australia.
The launch of the pilot program signals a proactive approach to addressing the issue of water safety within the Indian community in Victoria. By offering subsidised swimming lessons and comprehensive educational sessions, the program aims to equip adults with essential swimming skills and knowledge to prevent water-related accidents. The collaboration between community volunteers, academic institutions, and organizations like Lifesaving Victoria highlights the collective effort to promote water safety and inclusion within diverse migrant populations. As the program progresses, it is anticipated that more adults will take up the opportunity to learn how to swim and actively engage in water-based activities in Australia.
Through the partnership with Lifesaving Victoria and Aligned Leisure, the pilot program is able to provide structured swimming lessons and educational outreach sessions to enhance water safety knowledge among adults in the Indian community. The initiative not only addresses the immediate need for swimming skills but also seeks to create a lasting impact by promoting a culture of water safety awareness and enjoyment. By empowering individuals to overcome barriers to learning how to swim, such as cost or lack of resources, the program opens up new opportunities for migrants to fully embrace the Australian lifestyle and participate in aquatic activities without fear. Ultimately, the success of the pilot program will be measured by the increased participation of adults in swimming lessons and the reduction of water-related incidents within the Indian community.
