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Life Saving Victoria completes Public Water Safety Initiative, advancing education, research, and aquatic safety

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) has successfully completed the Public Water Safety Initiative (PWSI) 2021-2024, achieving key milestones in research, education, professional development, and inclusion, enhancing water safety across Victoria.

By news@gippsland - 17th March 2025 - Back to News

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) proudly announces the successful completion of the Victorian government's Public Water Safety Initiative (PWSI) 2021-2024, which supported the education sector and aquatic industry in their delivery of best practice swimming and water safety education and marks significant achievements in water safety research, and professional development.

The initiative implemented key recommendations from the 2019 review, securing $73.4 million for future water safety education programs. implemented key recommendations from the 2019 review, securing $73.4 million for future water safety education programs

Key achievements

At-risk Research Project

Identified six key demographic factors influencing children's aquatic competence, with findings published in Injury Epidemiology. The research provides evidence-based recommendations to improve program delivery.

Top-up Swimming Program

Developed and piloted targeted interventions for at-risk students, with findings published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia. Recommendations advocate for increased swimming opportunities, particularly for students in low-socioeconomic areas.

English Language School (ELS) Support

Delivered professional development for swim teachers, piloted specialised programs for ELS students, and developed culturally appropriate resources to enhance accessibility and inclusion.

Professional Development

Conducted 33 webinars and six workshops, engaging 1,923 participants and that fostered cross-sector collaboration between education and aquatic safety experts.

Toolkit Engagement

Achieved significant engagement with the Swimming and Water Safety Toolkit, recording 206,913 page views and 63,838 resource downloads over four years.

Water safety commitment

Andy Dennis, General Manager - Aquatic Capability at Life Saving Victoria, said, "The Public Water Safety Initiative has made a real difference in improving water safety education across Victoria. Through strong partnerships and targeted interventions, we have enhanced access to essential swimming and water safety programs, ensuring more children develop the skills they need to stay safe in and around water."

Despite global pandemic challenges, LSV successfully met or exceeded all project deliverables. The initiative supported the implementation of the recommendations from the Parliamentary Secretary for Schools Review of Swimming in Schools 2019, laying a strong foundation for future water safety education programs.

Recognising the importance of these efforts in reducing drowning incidents, the Victorian government State Budget 2024 - 25 committed $73.4 million to swimming and water safety education over four years.

Future safety initiatives

Looking ahead, LSV will continue to work closely with the Department of Education on the Water Safety in Schools (WSiS) initiative from 2025. This next phase for LSV will focus on:

• Redeveloping the Swimming and Water Safety Toolkit
• Extending the successful Swim City program
• Strengthening engagement between the education sector and aquatic industry
• Supporting students identified as at-risk of drowning by providing Swim Teacher courses to teachers, parents and carers in low-socioeconomic areas
• Delivering fully funded Lifesaving Education Programs to at-risk students

For further information contact or email the LSV Media team / 03 9676 6970 or visit Life Saving Victoria website.

Pictures from Life Saving Victoria website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com