David Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to bring to the attention of the House a novel, unique and incredibly useful community initiative that has sprung out of the efforts and initiative of one or two well-known local community workers. David Frederick and Diane Gilbert, and other people who have worked in the PCYC and the drug and rehabilitation service of the local health district, have over the last two years initiated a novel swim program for very many disadvantaged young children who cannot swim. In the 2015-16 period, 430 children have been involved in this program, which has taught them how to swim up to the level of the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety certificate, such that they could even become swim coaches. The program taught 230 children and 100 adults the year before.

This all is due to the initiative of David Frederick. There have been referrals to the program for people with chronic illness, diabetes, obesity and ADHD, and for people after spending time in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, on probation or in juvenile justice detention. There are 24 different community groups that refer to this program. This should be celebrated. It is quite a novel idea, it has the runs on the board and it is delivering health advantages and helping to close the gap.

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