In a first for Knox, a Life Saving Victoria (LSV) program supported by Council is helping reduce drowning deaths among people born overseas, aged 65-plus or living with disability.
Council awarded LSV a Community Development Fund grant for a pilot program offering water safety sessions at the pool, beach and in the classroom to about 500 community members from groups at higher risk of drowning.
One third of drowning deaths in Australia this year were people aged 65-plus and another third were people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, according to the National Drowning Report from Royal Life Saving Australia.
LSV's David Holland says in Victoria, people born overseas accounted for 21 out of 54 in 2024-25.
"That represented 39% of all drownings in Victoria last year so we want to offer water safety education sessions as a preventative measure for these groups both now and in the future," he says.
"Statistically, people born overseas are five times more likely to drown in comparison to people not born overseas. What we see is that people born overseas quite often have low swimming ability and low water safety knowledge.
"In their countries of origin and when they first get to Victoria, there are a lot of barriers to their participation in aquatics and learning about water safety - there's just so many other things that take priority in their lives like getting a job, getting a house, learning a language."
David says people aged 65-plus may be more at risk due to an ageing population living longer, visiting our waterways more often, overestimating their ability in water while underestimating the risks, medical conditions and unexpected falls into water.
LSV will continue to work with all partnering organisations to keep water safety sessions going after the completion of the program.
Summer water safety tips
- Plan your day out around water in advance
- Swim where people can help you if you do get into trouble - between the red and yellow flags on a patrolled beach is safest
- Check the weather for the day for your destination point
- Supervise your children and others in your group at all times
- Learn more about the mechanics of a rip
For more information visit beachsafe.org.au
