Lakes Entrance Aquadome will host an active family fun day on 24 January from 11.00am until 3.00pm.

Staged by Life Saving Victoria in conjunction with East Gippsland Shire Council the active family fun day is a chance for parents to get into the water with their children and practice safety techniques in a fun and safe environment.

Families will be encouraged to participate in a range of water safety activities that will be grouped according to the children's age.  Younger children will practice blowing bubbles with their parents and have fun with popular games such as Safety Simon Says that convey basic water safety knowledge. Older children will be able show off their swimming style in noodle races and learn rope throwing skills that could one day help them save someone's life.  Families can also learn the basic principles of resuscitation and receive a Keep Watch PoolWerx Resuscitation Magnet for their home.

Children participating in the activities will also be given the chance to win prizes including a Sony PSP® as well as CDs and DVDs.
 
Life Saving Victoria manager education services Jane Flowers said while the day was designed to engage children of all ages there were serious reasons for families to come along to the event. "While pools are great fun for children, if something goes wrong it happens very quickly so families need to be alert to the risks," Ms Flowers said. "We know kids retain more of the water safety knowledge they gain through games and age-appropriate activities.

The active family fun day will be held in conjunction with the Uncle Tobys® Big Splash Swimathon to help raise funds for the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia to reduce child drowning.  The swimathon kicks off at 3.00pm and runs for seven days with some of the fundraising challenges being sponsored lap swimming, novelty races and team versus team relays.  All the community is welcome to participate in the event by contacting the Aquadome to register.

East Gippsland Shire mayor, Cr Michael Freshwater said that the Shire was happy to be supporting the initiative.  "The Shire is keen to be involved because any opportunity to promote water safety is worthwhile," he said. "Safety in and around water is very important for East Gippslanders, when you consider the ready access many of its residents have not only to pools, but also to beautiful lakes, rivers and the ocean. "It's also a fun way to get all the community involved in a healthy activity." 

Summary Details -  Active Family Fun Day and UNCLE TOBYS® Big Splash Swimathon

Date:  Sunday 24 January 2010 
Time:  Active Family Fun Day - 11:00am to 3:00pm 
          UNCLE TOBYS® Big Splash Swimathon - from 3:00pm 
Location: Lakes Entrance Aquadome, 43 Palmers Road, Lakes Entrance - (03) 5155 3333

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Media are welcome to attend. Given the laws around photographing and interviewing children, media are asked to contact Tony Brett, Recreation Facilities Manager, East Gippsland Shire Council on (03) 5153 9500 to advise if they are attending.