Bring us in line with rest of Aus

TO GROW up in regional Queensland is to know the dangers of pools, creeks, dams, bore wells and irrigation channels as well as the joys of trips to the beach to swim in the surf.

As water babies, we learn to fear and respect the water.

Reports of a drowning or near-drowning make a parent’s blood run cold.

Sadly, today Tara Miko reports on the death of a little girl from Raceview and the near-drownings of two toddlers on Tuesday night.

Queensland is the only state in Australia that does not have a compulsory or comprehensive State Government-funded swimming program in its primary schools.

The Chronicle has joined with other News Ltd publications – with the backing of major bodies such as the Australian Water Safety Council, Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving Queensland – to launch an S.O.S. campaign to “Save Our Schoolkids”.

The campaign would not have helped the little ones in Ms Miko’s report.

Prior to Grade 1, children rely on parents to teach them to swim or to take them to swimming lessons.

Seemingly, there is a socio-economic element to consider here.

Swimming lessons are costly and require parents have the time to dedicate each week to take children to classes.

This is very difficult for cash-strapped parents or those who work long hours.

Harder, too, if they live a long way from a pool.

At the very least, Queensland needs to be brought in line with other Australian states so we can S.O.S.

Swimming is a vital life skill for Australians.