Taking a dip in the water is as quintessentially Aussie as barbecues, but for many in the multicultural community, swimming isn’t a central activity.
Over the past decade, 34 per cent of drowning victims were individuals born outside Australia. According to Royal Life Saving Australia, approximately 288 people drown in Australia each year, with about one in four being born overseas.
This is the reason why Harpreet Singh Kandra, a community volunteer and Senior Lecturer in Water Engineering at Federation University, recently started a pilot project ‘Safely Engaging with Water Program’ in July.
The program uses a co-contribution model, with lesson fees highly subsidised by Aligned Leisure (Cardinia Life) and participants covering the remaining costs ($1oo for 10 lessons). The first group of students will graduate on 12 October, marking the completion of their first ten lessons and their introduction to water safety.
Kandra has received a positive response, with many individuals already on the waiting list. However, he believes that to truly strengthen the connection with water in multicultural communities, more comprehensive action grounded in systems thinking is needed. Despite frequent accidents, current water safety initiatives remain fragmented and insufficient.
Councils and governments occasionally fund programs, but these are often perceived as freebies, which can lead to a lack of appreciation and ownership, he believes.
“Understanding water isn’t just about safety; it’s about embracing swimming as a form of exercise, therapy, and family fun,” says Kandra. “Many in our multicultural communities don’t know how to swim, and this lack of skills puts them at significant risk, especially given Australia’s challenging and changing water conditions.”
In fact, he estimates that over 80 per cent of people in these migrant communities don’t know how to swim, with only a tiny fraction truly capable of handling Australia’s strong water currents. While swimming is included in school curriculum, most adults don’t learn it once they land in Australia. It is sparsely covered in induction programs for international students in our universities.”
He sees this as a missed opportunity—not just in terms of safety, but also in the potential for local job creation, increased infrastructure, and the growth of water sports.
To address this, Kandra has proposed a sustainable 1:1:1 model for swimming lessons. The plan involves participants taking ownership by contributing one-third of the cost, with the remaining two-thirds subsidized by swimming centres. He is now appealing to local councils, governments, and businesses to contribute the final third. Subsidised lessons are available to any adult who does not know how to swim.
Already, Kandra has raised about $11,000 (at the time of writing the story) from local businesses to fund swimming programs in Cardinia, Casey and Dandenong, which will help more people access swimming lessons without financial strain- especially with current cost of living pressures. He is open for these funds to be utilised in other parts of Victoria, if the swim centres are interested to join this initiative.
The Officer Gurdwara ‘Siri Guru Nanak Darbar’ is contributing $2,000 and is pleading other places of faith to contribute to this worthy cause to make drownings a history.
Of course, Kandra’s proposal aims to ensure that swimming centres do not suffer financial losses from this initiative. To achieve this, the funds will be strategically managed. The plan is to create a self-sustaining model.
“For example, if a swimming lesson costs $28-$30, and participants sign up for 10 lessons paying $100, the administrative costs will be reduced. Swimming centres can then cover one-third of the cost, charging $15–$20 per lesson. The remaining $10 will come from the funding pool I’m establishing,” he says.
“This approach ensures that everyone has a stake in their learning,” Kandra explains. “When participants contribute financially, they value the lessons more, and it also helps keep swimming centres financially stable. And in medium term, swimming leisure centres will get more members and hence everyone contributes to local economy.
“We’ve seen an amazing response—initially, we aimed for 10 participants in Cardinia, but 34 are already learning, with about 50 more on a waiting list. This interest is spreading, with calls coming in from other parts of Melbourne and Ballarat as well.”
Once participants complete their first 10 lessons, they will spend an hour with Life Saving Victoria, learning essential skills for handling emergencies and staying vigilant at beaches—critical knowledge as the summer approaches.
Kandra emphasises the broader cultural shift needed: “Countries like India, Africa, and China are water-stressed and don’t have the same experience with swimming. But here in Australia, with our abundant beaches, learning to swim is vital for enjoying life and staying safe, which additionally contributes to our tourism.”
Personal stories like that of Karamjeet Kaur, a local physiotherapist and volunteer at the Officer Gurdwara, highlight the program’s impact. “Learning to swim has been transformative for me,” says Kaur. “It’s not just about safety—it’s about confidence, both personally and professionally. This program has shown me the true value of swimming.”
Atul Sharma, an active community volunteer in Southeast, adds, “This water safety program equips participants with essential skills that could open up career opportunities in fields like the Police forces and the Australian Defence Forces, where swimming is mandatory.”
How You Can Contribute:
A contribution of 100 AUD can provide 10 swimming lessons for one participant, helping them build a connection with water and stay safe. Thereby, reducing chances of drowning. Those who develop this connection will then encourage others to learn as well and we will see a multiplier effect.
Your donation could inspire others and contribute to making drowning a thing of the past. If you wish to donate, please email info@sgnd.com.au
The Indian Sun supports this initiative and is a media partner.
The Indian Sun acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
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