DERRIMUT Weelam Gathering Place in Mordialloc has organised free water safety lessons for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The program was run by Mordialloc Life Saving Club lifeguards. Students learned about ocean conditions and water safety.
Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place program officer Kalie Kent said the program was a success, and that another is planned for late March. “We’re extremely proud of the programs we design that focus on our community aspirations, connections to country and our culture,” Kent said.
“What an amazing opportunity this project has been for our children to learn about water safety in the elements of nature, as opposed to a classroom.”
Mordialloc Life Saving Club administrator Penny Rountree said “we have enjoyed working collaboratively with Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place to be able to offer an educational open water program to a group of their community members. We hope they enjoyed themselves and look forward to being able to offer more programs similar to this in the future.”
The lessons were for children aged between 8 and 17.
Grant funding from South East Water was used to fund the program. For more information visit southeastwater.com.au/grants
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 1 March 2022