Layla Chesher and Tahlia Johnston at last week’s Bush Nippers program on Lake Mulwala.
For the first time, Bush Nippers water safety program has been held on Lake Mulwala to help reduce Victoria’s drowning deaths.
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Last year, 357 people drowned in Victoria with 121 of those in rural areas, a 25 per cent increase on the previous year.
Life Saving Victoria’s Sophia Goodwin, Timothy Dooling and Georgia Barry were on hand to deliver the program to 53 kids at Yarrawonga Yacht Club last week.
Aimed at children aged five to 14 years, Bush Nippers teaches lifesaving water skills that are also fun.
“(The program) gives the foundation of how to throw someone a pool noodle if they need help in the water, how to paddle on a boogie board without falling off, how to call the ambulance,” Ms Goodwin said.
Georgia Barry said Life Saving Victoria created Bush Nippers then partnered with the YMCA, local councils and other organisations, to teach them how to run the program.
Families took advantage of the sunny day while the kids learned valuable water safety lessons.
Nash Chesher and Mackenzie Johnston learned about dangers in the water.
Mackenzie Johnston and Nash Chesher joined the seven-year-old age group on Wednesday.
“I liked when we got to learn where dangers are in the water,” Mackenzie said.
For Nash, it was the canoes he liked best.
“I learned that if you’re stuck you can use the whistle and yell for help,” he said.
Layla Chesher and Tahlia Johnston, both five years old, had a great time learning on the lake.
“I liked going on the paddle boards,” Layla said.
“I learned about helping people and saving people from drowning.”
Tahlia was left speechless but was all smiles when her time came to shine in front of the camera.
More than 50 kids learned about water safety in Life Saving Victoria’s Bush Nippers program.
A huge local effort brought the program to Yarrawonga this year with several community groups helping out.
Timothy Dooling said the Rotary Club provided a BBQ, Yarrawonga Health donated items for goody bags, and Yarrawonga Yacht Club put on tea and coffee for the families.
“The Canoe Club got involved running their canoe program alongside Bush Nippers, and Mulwala Water Ski Club added a grant to enable us to purchase our own equipment,” Mr Dooling said.
“There's good community support behind it that will continue to make this program grow bigger.”
Bush nippers returns to Yarrawonga in January, 2027.
For more information and to enquire about future dates, visit the Life Saving Victoria website at lsv.com.au/education/bush-nippers/
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