Water safety groups have called for more funding for swimming programs for migrants, following an unprecedented number of drownings since Christmas Day, mostly in New South Wales.
Doug Hawkins, who runs specialised programs for migrants through Coogee Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney’s east, says education programs need to be more accessible.
“The best way for this message to get out is to formalise a program for people coming into Australia,” Mr Hawkins said.
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Royal Lifesaving Society Australia CEO Justin Scarr says it’s crucial migrants and school children in particular have a greater understanding of water safety.
“Over summer it’s hard to ignore the cultural element of drowning and drowning prevention,” Mr Scarr said.
NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said “the state’s heart has broken”, but insisted personal responsibility is the key in stopping the spate of drownings.
“We will work with water safety programs and we will work with those responsible in the emergency services fraternity but the appeal from government today is to make sure you take ownership of your own safety,” Mr Elliott said.
More than a dozen people have drown since Christmas Day in NSW alone, including a 27-year-old Pakistani man who died at Mermaids Pools near Tahmoor in Sydney's south-west.
A 44-year-old Cooma man is the latest victim, having been found by police divers in a Snowy Mountains lake on Monday.
Several children have also been victims, including a two-year-old girl who was found unconscious in a backyard pool in Sydney's south west and 14-year-old Tui Gallaher, whose body was found at Maroubra beach after he went missing while swimming with his cousin.
- with AAP
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