Victoria Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras

Minister Calls On Families To Sign Up For Half Price Children’s Swim Lessons

Victor P Taffa

Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras today invited families from Maribyrnong’s multicultural communities to sign up their children for half price swim lessons at the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre as part of the Coalition Government’s $1.6 Million VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program.

Mr. Kotsiras encouraged families to sign up their kids quickly as places were filling up fast before the start of the 2012 summer VICSWIM lessons next week.

“Swimming is a part of the Australian way of life especially during summer.” Mr. Kotsiras said.

“The Coalition Government wants to ensure as many children learn water safety skills in order to experience Australia’s beaches, water ways and pools.”

“Learn-to-swim programs like VICSWIM help prevent Victorians especially younger children from drowning while making swimming a fun exercise.”

“It is important all parents encourage their children to learn how to swim as it may one day save their lives.” Mr. Kotsiras said.

Mr. Kotsiras said the VICSWIM program was tailored to reaching out to community members who may not be accessing swimming lessons.

“Many of the participants will include children from culturally diverse, new arrival and refugee communities, children from regional and rural areas as well as Aboriginal communities.” Mr. Kotsiras said.

Mr. Kotsiras said the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre was just one of 12 metropolitan, 70 regional and nine open water venues around Victoria taking part in the Coalition Government program which will run the half-price learn-to-swim program from 9 – 27 January 2012.

“Over 3,000 children across Victoria will benefit from this $1.6 Million Coalition Government initiative to make learn-to-swim classes affordable and I encourage culturally diverse families to sign up their kids and join in the fun.” Mr. Kotsiras said.

For more information about the program, and to enrol, please visit www.vicswim.com.au