MEPAU attended the Royal Life Saving WA’s World Drowning Prevention Day Breakfast. World Drowning Prevention Day highlights the critical importance of water safety and the urgent need to reduce preventable drowning deaths nationwide. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of our program partnership with the Royal Life Saving WA, as they work towards bringing people together to eliminate drowning and empower communities to stay safe around water.
MEPAU and joint venture partner Beach Energy are proud to support the Royal Life Saving WA in delivering essential water safety education across Western Australia. This partnership funds programs that empower children with lifesaving swimming and water safety skills, helping to build confidence around water and reduce drowning rates in our communities. In the Mid West, more than 1,400 children will benefit from subsidised Swim and Survive programs in Geraldton, Coorow, Eneabba, and Mullewa, ensuring access to these vital skills where they’re needed most.
The Mid West has the second highest drowning rate in Western Australia, with children in regional areas being 3.3 times more likely to drown than their metropolitan areas. Rising living costs have forced many families, especially in regional communities, to reduce spending on swimming lessons, leaving thousands of vulnerable children without this critical life skill.
The Royal Life Saving WA estimates that 21% of primary school children across the state miss out on swimming lessons each year. Swimming proficiency is crucial for all Western Australian children, given the state’s strong connection to aquatic activities. The Swim and Survive program has made a positive impact by actively engaging First Nations children, multicultural communities, children living with disabilities and regional youth within its first year.
Learn more about the progress and impact of our partnership in the Year One Progress Report.
We believe every child should have the opportunity to learn how to stay safe around water. As part of stakeholder engagement for the Perth Basin, MEPAU remains committed to supporting initiatives that help build safer, stronger communities in the regions where we operate.
