The life changing opportunity of learning how to swim for First Nation youths, aged from five to 12 years of age, ran from February to April and was subsidised by funds from the Return and Earn program at Whitlam Leisure Centre. 

A group of 23 First Nation youths from Liverpool have learnt how to swim in a free program thanks to an aquatic centre’s Return and Earn program. The Return and Earn program is a great initiative whereby organisations, such as Michael Wenden Aquatic, collect empty drink containers to receive a Return and Earn for a refund of 10 cents a piece, all while helping the environment.

The life-changing opportunity of learning how to swim for First Nation youths aged five to 12, ran from February to April and was subsidised by funds from the Return and Earn program at Whitlam Leisure Centre.

Belgravia Leisure NSW area manager Alex Simmons said the program was created after they identified a need to increase the accessibility and swimming skills of First Nation kids. “The children learnt increased swimming ability and confidence, basic swimming skills such as floating and increased knowledge of water safety and rescue techniques,” he said.

Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council health promotion worker Brandon Brown said there had been a lot of interest from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. “It’s been a huge success so far. It’s important for our young people to learn to swim well so they are safe in the water, and it’s also a great way to keep active and healthy,” he said. “The kids are taught in a culturally safe environment with the assistance of Marumali Aboriginal Health Outreach workers.”

The program was projected to run for 12 weeks, but due to community demand, it will continue for all four school terms next year and will be funded by the Return and Earn program.

Return and Earn is a unique fundraising channel that converts your litter reduction and recycling efforts into dollars to support a cause. For more information on how to fundraise, visit Fundraising – Return and Earn NSW

This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph

Photo: First Nation children at the Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre.