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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: 17 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 Refocus: Progress, priorities, and the path forward
Dr Will Koon, National Manager - Drowning Prevention Strategy, Royal Life Saving Australia
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
Adam Weir, Chief Executive Officer, Surf Life Saving Australia
Jenni Rigby, Chief Executive, Emergency Management Victoria
Susan Teerds, Chief Executive Officer, Kidsafe Queensland
Brendon Ward, Chief Executive Officer, SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia
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
Ennia Jones, Founder and Program Lead, Splash of Colour Swimming
Peter Lillywhite, Principal - Swimming and Water Safety, WA Department of Education
Floss Roberts, Executive Director, Royal Life Saving Northern Territory
Panel Discussion ~ Multicultural Communities
Stacey Pidgeon, National Manager - Research and Policy, Royal Life Saving Australia
Ashveen Chand, Strategy Lead, The Lote Agency
Dr Harpreet S Kandra, Senior Lecturer, Federation University | Community Volunteer, Officer Sikh Gurdwara
Panel Discussion ~ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Dr Bobby Porykali, Senior Research Fellow, Guunu-maana (Heal), The George Institute for Global Health
Markie Richards, Community Program Manager, Kari Foundation
Dr Leanne Lester, Research Manager, Centre for Social Impact - University of Western Australia
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 3 - Breakout
Breakout Session 3.A | Breakout Session 3.B | Breakout Session 3.C | Breakout Session 3.D Collaboration for impact |
|---|---|---|---|
Improving water safety through tailored swimming programs for at-risk youth | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 Dr Harpreet S Kandra, Academic, Federation University | Community Volunteer, Officer Sikh Gurdwara |
Generations at risk: inter generational approaches to water safety in new and emerging communities | 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 | Public Rescue Equipment on New Zealand Beaches Tom Kearney, National Coastal Safety Manager, Surf Life Saving New Zealand Dr Juliana Albertoni, Coastal Safety Officer, 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 | 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 Services, 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
Claire Allen, Director Policy and Engagement, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
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 | Breakout Session 7.B | Breakout Session 7.C | Breakout Session 7.D |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Increasing participation and ensuring welcoming waters | 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 | 'Stop. Look. Stay Alive.': Evaluation of a unified water safety message and campaign | 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 |
| Building Cultures of Acceptance with Neuroaffirming Perspectives Antoinette Spear, General Manager, Autism Swim | Utilising formative research to tailor and evaluate a localised drowning prevention campaign for an inland, regional community | 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 |
| Effectiveness of Resuscitations in QueenslandNat Edwards, Lifesaving Services Manager, , Surf Life Saving Queensland | Swim schools as frontline educators delivering prevention-focused outcomes in local communities Luke Daly, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Swim Schools Association | Surf Life Saving New Zealand's peer support program Ari Peach, National Wellbeing Lead, Surf Life Saving New Zealand | The impact of climate change on drowning and aquatic injury Sean Kelly, PhD Candidate, UNSW Sydney |
| 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 | Mentoring for swim teachers | The future of Australian drowning prevention research: Workshop and facilitated discussion Dr Will Koon, National Manager - Drowning Prevention Strategy, Royal Life Saving Australia |
| Q&A and Group Discussion | 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?
