Senior citizens in the Kimberley region of Western Australia receive their first ever swim classes, improving their water safety skills and allowing them to participate in water therapy.
The Kimberley has the highest drowning rate in regional WA and First Nations people make up a third of drowning deaths.Royal Life Saving WA plans to return later in the year to deliver more senior swim classes .
The 10 residents, aged in their 70s and 80s, were given their first ever swim classes during a fortnight in March. Most of the participants live at Menkawum Ngurra: The Halls Creek People's Chruch Frail Aged Home, and until now they have been unable to participate in water therapy. Royal Life Saving West Australia and Lotterywest then joined forces to send Perth-based instructor Amanda Viljoen, who regularly teaches in the Kimberley, back to the north for the special classes."I know I'm doing something good."Royal Life Saving WA said it was essential that water safety education and classes were continually provided in remote and regional areas.
Kimberley Regional WA Drowning Rate First Nations People Swim Classes Senior Citizens Water Safety Water Therapy
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