Gippsland swimming championships
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (09:41): We know that throughout the pandemic and its closure of many activities swimming pools were closed and swimming lessons could not be conducted. We also know that recently there have been media reports and reviews that students and young people are now not swimming or not swimming as capably as they could. I would like to throw my support behind and congratulate the Gippsland swimming championships, which were run on the weekend in Warragul, and applaud all of the parents, the participants, the coaches, the trainers and of course the wonderful young people who do so well across our regions, from the Bass Coast and Leongatha, the Warragul and Sale swim clubs and of course the mighty Traralgon swim club that often brings home the trophies. But in a broader context, in the unfortunate light of many drownings that we have seen across our Gippsland region, the importance and vitality of learning to swim is not only an enjoyable skill but a life-saving skill, and I appreciate all of the work of our regional parents and clubs and what they have achieved.