11 December 2025
Remote schools swap lessons for laps in the Kimberley
Students from four remote East Kimberley schools recently joined together for two weeks of swimming and water safety lessons at the Halls Creek Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
From 24 November to 5 December, students from Halls Creek District High School, Warlawurru Catholic School, Yiyilli Aboriginal Community School and Birlirr Ngawiyiwu School took to the pool with a team of experienced Royal Life Saving WA swim teachers. The lessons were delivered as part of a contract with the Department of Education.
Over the two-week program, students practiced key swimming and water safety skills designed to help them feel confident in the water and better understand how to keep themselves and others safe. Travelling more than three hours to take part in swimming lessons for the very first time, it was a huge milestone for students from Birlirr Ngawiyiwu School and an exciting start to their lifelong journey in water safety.
In the Kimberley, interm swimming lessons are much more than a break from everyday classes. Many children spend time around billabongs and waterholes but have little or no access to a local pool or formal water safety education. These sessions are often their only chance each year to learn lifesaving skills to help keep them safe in and around water.
This matters in a region that records some of the highest drowning rates in Western Australia. Young children remain the most at risk, and more than 45% of drowning incidents in the Kimberley involve Aboriginal Australians.
Phys Ed. teacher Andy Mathews from Halls Creek District High School shared his appreciation.
“A sincere thank you for the incredible two weeks of swimming lessons this year. The instructors did an amazing job, and it was clear how much the students enjoyed the time in the pool.”
A huge thank you also to the Shire of Halls Creek for generously providing pool access free of charge. This support helps ensure remote students can take part in lifesaving education that many families in Australia take for granted.
Swimming and water safety skills remain essential for children across the Kimberley. Royal Life Saving WA is committed to working with schools and local partners so that every child, no matter where they live, has the chance to learn skills to help keep them safe for life.
