24 June 2026
Multicultural Steering Committee meets during Refugee Week
Refugee Week, held from 15–21 June 2026, provided an opportunity for Royal Life Saving WA to reflect on this year’s theme, A Million Stories, recognising the diverse experiences and contributions of people from refugee backgrounds across the state and country.
It was great to see our Multicultural Steering Committee come together last week at the Royal Life Saving WA Head Office to discuss multicultural participation in swimming and water safety.
The meeting included a presentation from Zainab Hummed of the Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors (ASeTTs) on how multicultural women are building confidence through swimming. Members also received a status update on the new Culturally Inclusive Aquatic Centres (CIAC) project from Achol Madong, Manager of Inclusion Programs and Capacity. Supported by the WA Government, the CIAC project aims to create welcoming aquatic centres where cultural diversity is respected, inclusion is embedded in every interaction, and all individuals feel safe, valued and empowered to participate. The project is being piloted across six LGAs: the Cities of Mandurah, Canning, Stirling and Swan, the Town of Port Hedland and the Shire of Katanning.
Royal Life Saving WA CEO Peter Leaversuch said the Multicultural Steering Committee plays an important role in guiding the organisation’s Access and Equity work.
“Every year, newly arrived communities bring extraordinary strength, cultural richness and global experience to our State. Yet many also face barriers to safely participating in Western Australia’s aquatic lifestyle. Refugee Week provides an important moment to recognise these challenges — and to highlight the work underway to ensure everyone has the skills, confidence and opportunities to enjoy the water safely.”
Regional and Remote Inclusion Coordinator Lynette Farley also shared an overview and case study showcasing what multicultural participation looks like across regional WA, highlighting the significant growth achieved since 2024.
Our regional expansion strengthens efforts to address the ongoing issue that people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds remain overrepresented in drowning statistics. In Western Australia, 40 per cent of drowning deaths involve people born overseas, with two‑thirds of those from non‑English speaking backgrounds.
“A key component of our Multicultural Water Safety Strategy is the work undertaken with the Multicultural Steering Committee,” said Achol Madong.
“By collaborating with key stakeholders and community groups, we aim to break down barriers to participation, empower multicultural communities to be safe in and around water, and support efforts to reduce drowning.”
Updates from Committee Members reinforced the value of our collaborative approach. The meeting concluded with lunch and networking with Head Office staff, with catering provided by Casalatina, a refugee‑owned and operated Latin American business.
To learn more about Royal Life Saving WA’s Access and Equity work or get involved with the Multicultural Steering Committee, visit the link below.
