Every year, drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for Australian children under five. Many of these tragedies happen close to home in bathtubs, backyard pools, and local waterways. In a community like Newcastle, where water is part of everyday life, early education can literally save lives. The Preschool Water Safety Project, led by ...
Royal Life Saving NSW
Newcastle Preschool Water Safety Project
GOAL
$4,200
Australia > NSW > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
Target Population
- General population
- General population
Royal Life Saving NSW
Royal Life Saving NSW (RLSNSW) is a leading not-for-profit organisation committed to drowning prevention and water safety education across New South Wales. For over 130 years, RLSNSW has empowered millions of Australians to enjoy water safely by delivering vital swimming and water safety programs, training qualified lifeguards and instructors, and promoting lifesaving skills such as CPR. We work to break down barriers
to access by engaging diverse and at-risk communities through inclusive programs, research, and advocacy. As a registered charity and public benevolent institution, RLSNSW continually innovates its services to meet evolving community needs, setting national benchmarks in aquatic education and risk management. Headquartered in Sydney, the organisation operates statewide with support from regional offices in Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Wollongong, Orange, and Wagga Wagga.
Project Summary
Every year, drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for Australian children under five. Many of these tragedies happen close to home in bathtubs, backyard pools, and local waterways. In a community like Newcastle, where water is part of everyday life, early education can literally save lives.
The Preschool Water Safety Project, led by Royal Life Saving NSW (RLSNSW), will deliver six fun, interactive water safety sessions across local preschools, reaching up to 180 children aged 3–5 years. Through songs, storytelling, visual aids, and hands-on activities, children learn how to recognise water dangers, stay close to adults, and respond in an emergency.
A highlight of the program is The Waddles, an engaging book and animation series following a duck family’s adventures in and around water. The story helps young children remember key safety messages while building confidence and awareness in a safe, age-appropriate way. The project also includes parent and educator resources aligned with early learning frameworks, empowering families and teachers to continue these lessons at home and in the classroom.
This inclusive, no-cost initiative ensures all children can access vital safety education. By equipping young children, families, and educators with lifesaving knowledge, the Preschool Water Safety Project strengthens community resilience and helps prevent future drownings, making Newcastle a safer place for every child to grow and thrive.
Project Outcomes
-Build Foundational Water Safety Knowledge in Preschoolers.
-Strengthen Early Childhood Educators Capacity to Teach Water Safety
-Expand Access to Water Safety Education in Regional NSW
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $4,200
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Project Coordination | $1,600 |
| Student resource packs (brochures, certificates, ducks, crayons, kids activity book) $5.5 pp x 180 | $990 |
| Community Educator @ $100 per session x 6 | $600 |
| Administrative Costs | $400 |
| Marketing and Promotion Flyer | $250 |
| Story book and Preschool Portal @ $30 per centre x 6 | $180 |
Support Royal Life Saving NSW
Got a question about this organisation or ready to contribute? Contact us.
Are you an ACF Fundholder? Log in to your Fund Portal to request a grant from your Fund.
Add your organisation to the Funding Platform
Is your not-for-profit organisation seeking funding? Add your organisation to the Funding Platform or upload your funding needs for a project.
Is this your organisation profile? You can request updates by resubmitting a Funding Platform Submission.