Page 1579 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 12 May 2015
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afforded by our close proximity to the inland waterways and magnificent beaches. This is why I am committed to delivering a water safety and awareness program for year 2 students attending Canberra’s public schools, as part of the government’s commitment to the water safety 2014-16 action plan.
Recreation activities in, on and around water provide many opportunities for physical activity and enjoyment. Sadly, however, aquatic environments also present a danger to people who do not have the skills and knowledge to avoid dangerous situations. The Royal Life Saving national drowning report of last year found that 266 people drowned in Australian waterways from 1 July 2013 through to June of last year. The highest percentage of these incidents, nearly 40 per cent, occurred in inland waterways such as creeks, rivers and lakes. Although these numbers were the lowest on record for the last 12 years, there was a steep increase in drowning deaths recorded against the 10-year average in 18 to 24-year-olds and 25 to 34-year-olds. A disturbing 81 per cent of drowning deaths were male victims. While an overall improvement in the numbers is encouraging, the incidence of drowning remains unacceptable, particularly as many drowning deaths are preventable.
In 2013-14 the ACT recorded the lowest drowning rate in the country. During this time, with the support of the ACT government, over 50 primary schools participated in the territory-wide ACT primary schools swim and survive program. The Royal Life Saving Society’s swim and survive program teaches children a number of important skills, such as safe entry and exit from the water, basic swimming skills, sculling, floating and treading water. This important program equips children with the essential skills that may prevent drowning and enable them to make lifesaving decisions when in an emergency situation.
The aim of the safe waters ACT 2014-16 action plan is to build on the provision of successful initiatives such as the swim and survive program, to reduce drowning incidents to zero through a range of evidence-based but highly targeted initiatives. This is an inspirational goal, but it is my view that it is entirely achievable through a strong, collaborative, evidence-based approach. That is why the ACT government is implementing a water safety and awareness program in Canberra’s public primary schools next year.
Our ACT education system has an important role to play in providing children and young people with a quality education and the range of skills, knowledge and understanding they need to lead happy, healthy and productive lives. Schools also play a key role in influencing a child’s physical activity behaviour. Primary schools in particular have an opportunity to encourage the development of positive attitudes and practices towards leading an active life. The primary school years are the most effective time for children to learn and refine motor skills and complex movement sequences such as swimming. Evidence also suggests that regular aquatic-based physical activity has positive effects on children beyond purely fitness and skills, extending to positive impacts on their social, psychological and physical wellbeing.
I am committed to decisive action to ensure that children leave primary school equipped with the skill and knowledge to participate safely in aquatic activities and prevent drowning. Not all children have access to this kind of water safety and awareness education. Royal Life Saving believes that a large percentage of Australian
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