The Andrews Labor Government will help more Victorian kids learn to swim and stay safe in and around water.
Visiting the Moe Newborough Aquatic Centre today, Minister for Sport John Eren announced $1.2 million for Aquatics and Recreation Victoria to continue running the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program for the next three years.
VICSWIM provides affordable swimming and water safety lessons across the state, with the Summer Kidz program running during the high-risk and popular January school holiday period.
This summer, more than 10,000 children took part in the program at 138 venues in 51 local government areas, with 97 of those venues in regional Victoria.
In the Latrobe Valley alone, 212 children participated in VICSWIM in January this year.
Unfortunately, this summer also saw the highest drowning toll for 20 years, with young children, older adults and members of our multicultural communities unfamiliar with swimming being most at risk.
That’s why the Labor Government is working to teach kids water safety as soon as possible.
On top of the VICSWIM funding, the Labor Government has delivered $1.9 million to develop new safety standards and a code of practise for all Victorian public swimming pools.
Earlier this year, the Labor Government also announced an additional $9.8 million to support swim lessons as part of the Swimming in Schools Program.
Supporting these programs encourages more Victorians to get fit, active and healthy – and it’s why the Labor Government has delivered the biggest investment in community sport in Victoria’s history in the Victorian Budget 2018/19.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“Nothing is more important than keeping our kids safe.”
“Victoria is blessed with wonderful waterways, beaches and pools, but too many lives are lost because people don’t have the right water skills – this program will help turn that tide.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“We want to make sure all Victorian children know how to swim and stay safe in the water, and VICSWIM does just that.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020