28 January 2026
Building skills and strengthening communities across the Mid West
Term 4 was a busy and rewarding season across Geraldton and the wider Mid West, with Royal Life Saving WA delivering essential swimming and water safety programs throughout the region. Thanks to the generous support of Mitsui E&P Australia and Beach Energy, more Mid West children have been able to access the skills they need through the Swim and Survive program to stay safe in and around the water.
The need for these programs is particularly urgent in regional WA, where children face a significantly higher risk of drowning than those in metropolitan areas. In many regional and remote communities, families rely on local pools or natural waterways as their main places to swim.
Royal Life Saving WA Regional Inclusion Coordinator Lynette Farley spent four days travelling across the region to visit schools, aquatic centres and community partners. Her trip included stops in Dongara, Geraldton, Carnamah, Coorow, and Mullewa, as well as the pools in Geraldton, Eneabba, Coorow and Three Springs.
The visit also included the delivery of Water Safety Talks to more than 200 primary and high school students, helping them to understand safe behaviours around water and identify potential risks across various aquatic environments.
Regional trips such as these strengthen relationships with various stakeholders and reaffirm our ongoing commitment to delivering inclusive aquatic programs across the Mid West.
Our efforts over the last 12 months have seen participation increase across multiple programs for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and children with disabilities. Term 4 saw 47 children participate in the multicultural swimming lesson program at Geraldton Aquarena, marking the program’s highest enrolment since it began.
For children with disabilities or additional needs, the risk of drowning is greater due to physical, social, and attitudinal barriers limiting their access to swimming and water safety education. Ensuring access for all children to quality swimming lessons and water safety programs is essential for keeping children safe around water.
“The launch of our Specialised Access and Inclusion Lessons (SAIL) program in Geraldton is a great case study of just how impactful tailored one-on-one lessons can be in making a difference for children with disabilities,” said Lynette. “These sessions help build confidence and create safe, supportive learning environments for children who may otherwise miss out. I am incredibly proud to have led the establishment of this program.”
None of this work would be possible without the support of Mitsui E&P Australia and Beach Energy. Their ongoing commitment is helping more regional children access lifesaving education, strengthening community connections, and promoting safe, active lifestyles.
Royal Life Saving WA looks forward to continuing its work across the Mid West, ensuring that every child, no matter where they live or what their needs may be, has the opportunity to learn how to stay safe around water.
Enrolments for Term 1 swimming programs at Geraldton Aquarena are now open! Due to strong community demand, additional group lessons have been added and more SAIL lesson times will also be available. View class times and enrol at the link below.
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