Swim program to benefit thousands of culturally diverse young people

• Another 3900 young people from diverse cultural backgrounds in Logan will be taught to swim through the Aqua English Project 
• The community-based initiative has received $120,000 through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland grants program
• The grant will build on the success of the water safety project, which has already benefited over 34,000 Queenslanders of all ages

Another 3900 young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Logan will learn how to swim and be safe around water thanks to a community-led program.

The Miles Government is supporting the Aqua English Project to continue its work by providing a $120,000 grant over two years through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program.

The community organisation’s ‘Empowered to Swim’ program is providing free swimming and water safety lessons to young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds aged 16 to 24.

The initiative will then train 25 participants to pass on their skills to other young people by supporting them to gain qualifications for employment as bicultural aquatic assistants.

The program, which includes CPR training, is being delivered at the Gould Adams Park Aquatic Centre, and is also being supported through ongoing funding from the Logan City Council’s Active and Healthy program.

Since launching in 2006, the Aqua English Project has delivered swimming and water safety programs to more than 34,000 people of different ages from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Queensland.

The project is one of a range of community-led initiatives to receive a total of almost in $1.7 million in grants through the latest Celebrating Multicultural Queensland project funding round.

The grants help build a more inclusive multicultural Queensland that supports social and economic participation and young people.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Charis Mullen:

“If you live in Queensland, then knowing how to swim is a must.

“However, we recognise some young people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities have not had the chance to be exposed to swimming activities.

“The ‘Empowered to Swim’ program will teach them how to safely enjoy our wonderful lifestyle in Queensland in and around beaches, rivers and pools.

“It’s a great example of the work Queenslanders are doing to help their communities flourish and we are proud to support it.

“Congratulations to all the latest recipients of the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland grants program for working to break down barriers by helping people to fully participate in the social and economic life of their community.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman:

“Ensuring young Queenslanders feel confident in and around water is absolutely crucial.

“I know how much my Logan community values the ‘Empowered to Swim’ program and I am extremely pleased that this investment will ensure thousands more can benefit.

“Building more inclusive programs to support the next generation of Queenslanders is invaluable.

“And I am proud the Miles Government is investing in tailored community-based programs so they can continue their incredible work at a local level.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Logan Linus Power:

“There is nothing as Australian as enjoying a day at the beach, pool, river or dam with family and friends.

“New migrants want their kids to be part of that great experience but can’t swim well themselves.

“That’s why this little bit of help to teach swimming not only keeps families safe, but it also brings Australians together.

“When young people  from all over the world share time at the beach at a BBQ, everyone should feel safe having a swim and this program helps.”

Quotes attributable to Aqua English Project founding director Sarah Scarce:

“We are thrilled to receive funding for this program.

“According to the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, refugees and migrants arriving in Australia show significantly higher rates of drowning within the first five to ten years than people who have been in Australia longer or were born here.

“This funding will enable us to continue our socially inclusive swimming outreach to over 3900 members of Logan’s refugee and migrant communities.

“We want to ensure all participants can engage safely in and around the pool – safe entry, floating, keep watch and active supervision – because we know that’s vital.

“‘We are really excited to make a lasting impact in employment through the training of bicultural aquatic assistants and bicultural water safety officers in swimming pools across Logan and Queensland.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, and a deliberate strategy that seeks to engage and empower trainees from multicultural backgrounds is essential for drowning prevention and genuine participation in one of Australia’s most iconic pastimes.”

Further information:

• The 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics census shows 27.9 percent of residents in Logan City were born overseas, and 18.1 percent of the population speak a language other than English at home.
• $1.7 million has been allocated under the 2023–24 Celebrating Multicultural Queensland project funding round through two categories: the Economic and Social Participation category and the Youth and Community Connection category.
• Further information about the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program can be found at www.des.qld.gov.au/cmq-program

 ENDS

Media contact – 0417 296 116