Published 12 June 2024
Royal Life Saving Australia and Life Saving Victoria are hosting a Multicultural Water Safety forum in Melbourne, 13-14 June 2024, in response to tragic summer where it is estimated that 25% of drowning deaths were people born overseas.
Key factors in migrant and refugee drowning are known to be time in country, unfamiliarity with water hazards, and inadequate swimming and lifesaving skills. The Workshop will discuss and debate these issues and determine whether any new measures are required to avoid the tragedies of past summers.
Justin Scarr, Royal Life Saving Australia CEO said “One in four drowning deaths last summer where people born overseas. There are many water safety initiatives designed to reduce drowning among our multicultural communities. This workshop is about assessing what is working, and what else can be done to prevent another summer of sadness”.
Over 60 delegates including multicultural community leaders, government, academics and the water safety sector will gather for a two-day nationally focused workshop to prioritise high-level solutions for addressing drowning among Australia’s multicultural communities.
“Existing measures include community campaigns, swimming and water safety programs, and increased signage, all prioritising a diverse range of groups including tourists, migrants, refugees and international students. We are keen to hear from community leaders and policy managers to identify what more we need to do”. Mr Scarr says.
The Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 priorities addressing drowning in migrant communities. The workshop will contribute to the mid-term review of the Strategy.
Last summer, 99 people lost their lives to drowning. People born overseas accounted for more than 25% of these deaths, including those from migrant and refugee backgrounds, international students and visitors.
For further information visit: https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/stay-safe-active/communities/multicultural-communities
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ross Woodward, Media Key
P: (03) 9769 6488, E: mediakeypr@iprimus.com.au
To access B-Roll footage please click here.
