2025 National Water Safety Summit Program

This is a live agenda that is subject to change. This page will be updated as details become available or are adjusted up to and including during the Summit.

Last updated: 8 July 2025

Day One: Thursday 24 July 2025

8:00 AM - Registration and Networking Coffee

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Session One - Plenary

Welcome to Country

Introduction and welcoming remarks

Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 Midpoint Review: Progress, priorities, and the path forward

Day One Keynote
Demographic shifts and the future of Australia: implications for society, policy and planning
Professor James Raymer, Australian National University School of Demography

Panel Discussion ~ Alignment, partnership and accountability for collective drowning prevention action
This high-level panel will explore how we address biggest issues facing Australia's water safety sector together. What are the roles and responsibilities of government, who is accountable for reducing drowning, and how can and should we work together to maximise our impact?

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Morning Tea

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Session 2 - Plenary

Panel Discussion ~ Swimming and water safety education for all

Panel Discussion ~ Multicultural Communities

Panel Discussion ~ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 3 - Breakout

Breakout Session 3.A Education programs	Breakout Session 3.B drowning prevention policy	Breakout Session 3.C Safe environments	Breakout Session 3.D Collaboration for impact
Improving water safety through tailored swimming programs for at-risk youth Dr Hannah Calverley, Manager - Research and Evaluation, Life Saving Victoria	Alcohol advertising around waterways: Evidence from young people in Western Australia Dr Renee Carey, Senior Lecturer, Curtin University	Does the beach hazard rating actually reflect the hazards? An analysis of cervical spine injuries, surf rescues and drowning Dr Ogilvie Thom, James Cook University	June 2023 case study: lessons from a large-scale multi-agency search Darren Schott, Deputy Commissioner, Maritime Rescue NSW
Evaluating the impact of participatory beach engagements on safer behaviors at unpatrolled beaches Louise Lambeth OAM, Ocean Beach SLSC Dr Pete Kamastra, University of Melbourne	Turning IELTS exercises into a lifeline for migrants' water safety education Dr Masaki Shibata, Lecturer, Monash University	Enhancing insights on beach and boat ramp users with movement data Mike Morris, Head of Sales & Commercial Strategy APAC, ActiveXchange	Sharing and learning for advancement: results from SLSA Innovation Day Michael Bonnici, Coastal Safety Manager, Surf Life Saving Australia
Float to Survive with GOswim Bruce Hopkins, Float to Survive Sarah Podesta, Product Growth Manager- Aquatics, Belgravia Leisure	Exploring organisational challenges and opportunities in implementing coroners’ recommendations on drowning in Australia Dr Bernadette Matthews, Adjunct Associate Professor (Research) \| Head of Research, Evaluation and Insights, Life Saving Victoria	Using visitation data to inform evidence-based visitation profiles to support drowning prevention initiatives Tony Blunden, Twin Fin Consulting	Reflections on water safety in the Cook Islands Brent Fisher, President, Water Safety, Cook Islands
No One Left Behind: Closing the generational gap in swim and water safety in at-risk migrant Communities Omar Abu-Muhamoud, Swim Brothers	Strengthening water safety in early childhood: Enhancing the role of the early years learning framework Dr Shayne Baker OAM, Adjunct Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland	Introduction of AI drowning detection systems for additional safety controls: risk and change management Jacob Brown, Director, Specialised Engineering Technologies – AngelEye	Safely engaging with water Harpreet Karma, Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple
Generations at risk: inter generational approaches to water safety in new and emerging communities Ennia Jones, Splash of Colour Swimming	Is NSW Practice Note 15 fit for purpose in 2025 and beyond? Paul Chivers, Founding Director, Risk Facilitator	Supporting our lifeguards with cutting edge AI drowning prevention technology Daniel Mulvey, General Manager, Lynxight ANZ	Workshop: Partnership for impact Dr Justine Leavy, Associate Professor, Curtin University Lauren Nimmo, General Manager, Advocacy and Research, Royal Life Saving Western Australia
Level up: Game-based learning for water-savvy kids Dr Alana Leabeater, Coordinator - Research and Health Promotion	Public Rescue Equipment on New Zealand Beaches Dr Juliana Albertoni, Coastal Safety Officer, Surf Life Saving New Zealand Tom Kearney, National Coastal Safety Manager, Surf Life Saving New Zealand	The Inland Waterway Guidelines: Development and implementation RJ Houston, General Manager - Capability & Industry, Royal Life Saving Australia
The role of water safety programs in the health and wellbeing of children with autism Jake Culkin, Founder & Director, Inclusive Swim	Strong partnerships, safe water: Accountability, alignment, and action on drowning prevention in Victoria Brenna Callinan & Martin Hanlon, Australia and New Zealand School of Government	Risks and opportunities amid the revitalisation of inland swim spots Dr Amy Peden, Senior Research Fellow, University of New South Wales

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Afternoon Tea

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Session 4 - Plenary

Panel Discussion ~ Local water safety strategy and planning
Mark Howie, Senior Sergeant First Class, South Australia Police
Nick Grant-Collins, Coordinator Community Safety and Resilience, Bass Coast Shire Council

Panel Discussion ~ The role of Local Government
Tim Goward, Manager Community Services and Facilities, City of Gold Coast
Amanda Locke, Manager Leisure and Recreation Services, City of Greater Geelong
Brad Sutton, Manager Leisure Sevices, Lake Macquarie City Council

Panel Discussion ~ Older adults
Patricia Sparrow, Chief Executive Officer, COTA Australia
Professor Rebecca Ivers AM, School of Population Health | Ageing Futures Institute, UNSW Sydney

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Networking Social

Continuing the day’s most important conversations over drinks and light food – catch up with old colleagues, meet new people, and lean in to being part of the Australian water safety community.

Day Two: Friday 25 July 2025

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Registration and Networking Coffee

8:30 AM - 9:45 AM: Session Five - World Drowning Prevention Day Plenary

Welcome and World Drowning Prevention Day Address

Day Two Keynote
Drowning prevention action in the United States: Strategy, research, and collaboration
Dr Tessa Clemens, Senior Director of Drowning Prevention Initiatives, CDC Foundation (USA)

Panel Discussion ~ Global drowning prevention: Strategy to action
Dr Tessa Clemens, Senior Director of Drowning Prevention Initiatives, CDC Foundation (USA)
Dr Jagnoor Jagnoor, Program Lead - Injury, The George Institute for Global Health
Dr Justin Scarr, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Life Saving Australia

9:45 AM - 10:30 AM: World Drowning Prevention Day Commemoration and Morning Tea

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Session Six - Plenary

Panel Discussion ~ Figuring out unpatrolled locations, optimising campaign messages and education, and managing risk on the sand: what matters most for beach safety?
Dr Jaz Lawes, National Research Manager, Surf Life Saving Australia
Professor Rob Brander, UNSW Sydney
Paul Chivers, Founding Director, Risk Facilitator
Associate Professor Brian Cook, University of Melbourne

Panel Discussion ~ Opening swim sites, understanding new guidelines, and a multisectoral approach: what matters most for safety at rivers and lakes?
RJ Houston, General Manager - Capability & Industry, Royal Life Saving Australia
David Lawrence, General Manager - Health & Safety, Sunwater
Dr Amy Peden, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW Sydney

Panel Discussion ~ Crumbling infrastructure, staffing shortages, and the role of the local pool: what matters most for Aquatic Facilities?
Scott Vanderheyden, Group Health & Safety Manager, Belgravia Group
Georgie Nichol, Executive General Manager, AUSTSWIM
Adam Luscombe, General Manager, South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 7 - Breakout

Breakout Session 7.A Workforce Education and Training	Breakout Session 7.B drowning prevention Advocacy	Breakout Session 7.C Health and wellbeing: Looking after our people	Breakout Session 7.D Research and evaluation
Reframing behavioural challenges in aquatics: A Life-Saving Opportunity Ruth Smith, Owner, Aquatic Mentors	Evidence-based and best practice ways of achieving change from policymakers A/Prof Brian Cook, University of Melbourne	Increasing participation and ensuring welcoming waters Pamela Simon, Learning and Development Manager, Surf Life Saving Australia Sarah Harris, Participation Manager, Surf Life Saving Australia	The burden of neuropsychological and serious behavioural outcomes due to non-fatal drowning Elle Shu, Research Fellow, The George Institute for Global Health
The readiness of aquatic professionals to support individuals on the autism spectrum Tara Berry, Occupational Therapy (Honours) Student, Western Sydney University	Utilising formative research to tailor and evaluate a localised drowning prevention campaign for an inland, regional community. Grace Strugnell, Specialist - Research and Projects, Life Saving Victoria	The health and wellbeing of Australia's aquatic workforce RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability & Industry, Royal Life Saving Australia	Race, the floating signifier: a conceptual framework for understanding race and ethnicity drowning prevention policy, research and education Kurt Cordice, Pracademic / PhD Candidate, Enigmatic Global / University of Waikato
CPR Skills of volunteer Surf Life Savers in Australia TBC, Surf Life Saving QLD	Swim schools as frontline educators delivering prevention-focused outcomes in local communities Luke Daly, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Swim Schools Association	First nations employment strategy for the water safety sector Bobby Porykali, Guuna- Maana, The George Institute for Global Health	The water safety implementation project: investigating implementation practice in drowning prevention and water safety efforts in high-income countries Malena Della Bona, Senior Research Officer & PhD Candidate, Curtin University
From policy to practice: Building a child-safe culture in the aquatic industry Samantha Tantum, Head of State Operations, AUSTSWIM	Evidence-based and best practice ways of achieving change from policymakers Francis Ventura, Chief Executive Officer, KidSafe ACT	Surf Life Saving New Zealand's peer support program Ari Peach, National Wellbeing Lead, Surf Life Saving New Zealand	The future of Australian drowning prevention research: Workshop and facilitated discussion
Q&A and Group Discussion	Developing a collaborative summer advocacy campaign: Stop Look Stay Alive Brett Morgan, Senior Marketing Manager, Surf Life Saving Australia	Mentoring for swim teachers Dr. Nina Nyitrai, Aquatic Researcher \| Trainer/Assessor, Swim 4 Survival
	The Last Three Feet Liz Phillips, Director, The Phillips Foundation	The impact of resuscitation Prof John Pearn, Medical Advisor, Royal Life Saving Australia
	Using the media to effectively advocate for drowning prevention Julie Power, Senior Reporter, Sydney Morning Herald	Q&A and Group Discussion

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Afternoon Tea

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Session 8 - Closing Plenary

Bringing it all together – defining where we must go from here to reduce drowning by 50% by 2030. What are the most important actions we must take? Who is accountable and responsible for ensuring those actions happen? What are our biggest barriers – how do we navigate these waters together?