Session 2: Plenary
Tracks
Day 1 - July 23 2026
| Thursday, July 23, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
Overview
Activating the Australian Water Safety Strategy National Imperative of swimming & water safety skills for all
Details
This session will provide an in depth exploration of the AWSS 2030 National Imperative Swimming and Water Safety Skills for All.
We'll start with a series of 90 second mini presentations to seed ideas, questions, and different perspectives on the theme Ensuring No One Misses Out. Who is missing out? Why are they missing out? What can we do about it? These fast-paced, rapid fire presentations are sure to get you thinking in new directions.
Next, we'll move on to a panel discussion with leaders from three different state Departments of Education. How can we strengthen government programs? What does population-level coverage look like? How can the water safety sector partner with schools?
We'll close the session with a panel discussion on increasing youth water safety skills that last a life time with a specific focus on how to retain kids in swimming and water safety programs beyond age seven.
Flash Presentation Series: Ensuring no one misses out
Mike Anderson
Multicultural Community & Youth Education Officer
Surf Life Saving NSW
Anu Bedi
Director
Csmart Consulting & Impowerfull Inc.
HSUAN-WEN CHEN
Orange City Council
Luke Daly
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Swim Schools Association
Tony Dorante
Marine Officer
Maritime Safety Queensland
Nobia Fauwad
Project Coordinator
Welcoming Australia
Sunny Fung
Aquatic Programs Manager
Macquarie University Sport And Aquatic Centre
Teresa Stanley
Research & Impact Manager
Drowning Prevention Auckland
Danielle Taylor
Phd Candidate
James Cook University
Matilda Thompson
Swim Instructor
Talent Pool, Royal Life Saving WA
Aaron Tuckfield
Head of Community and Aquatic Programs
Surf Life Saving South Australia
Panel Discussion 2A: Strengthening government programs
Geoff Adams
Senior Policy Advisor
Department Of Education, Victoria
James Boyer
Principal Education Officer
NSW Department Of Education
Jan Sutherland
Manager Sport And Water Safety
Department for Education SA
Panel Discussion 2B: Retention beyond age seven - Challenges and opportunities
Clotilde Doxaras
Manager
C&m Aquatic Centre
RJ Houston
Chief Operating Officer
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia
Antoinette Spear
General Manager
Autism Swim
