By Tyler Wright
Two Dandenong Ranges swim teachers have succeeded in their goal to hold swimming lessons for children on Lord Howe Island, after postponing the trip due to Covid.
In 2020, Monbulk swimming teacher Sally Pizzey first planned to head to the subtropical Island east of Port Macquarie when she discovered there was limited opportunities for locals to learn how to swim.
Finally after a two year delay, Sally was joined by fellow teacher Christine Rasmussen to conduct the program in February – receiving a warm reception from families in the area.
Sally said the ten day teaching program consisted of morning and afternoon classes for children aged from two to 12 years old.
There are no pools on Lord Howe Island, leaving the lagoon as the only place to swim and classes were open to all weather patterns.
Sally and Christine were made to improvise during their lessons with buoys anchoring surrounding boats.
“The way we stopped their boards floating away was to put our boards and noodles underneath the chain,” Sally said.
A Lord Howe Island resident first highlighted the need for a swimming program in the remote area after she placed her kids in a Dandenong Ranges swimming lessons while on holidays to Victoria.
“It’s so expensive for swim teachers to actually go and teach there,” Sally said.
“She contacted me when she got back to Lord Howe Island, and that’s how it got up and running.
“We ran a big raffle that raised a lot of money, a couple of parents gave us cash donations, and the Kallista General Store had wine tasting wine night to raise money.”
This covered part of the trip to the world heritage listed island with a capped number of visitors and small resident population.
“[The kids] were so enthusiastic about it.
“The parents [saw] it as a bit of a social thing.
“It’s quite a unique community and very welcoming.”
Christine, Menzies Creek local and swim teacher, said it was a “wonderful” experience teaching the children of Lord Howe Island.
“[Children] get limited swim lessons offered throughout the year, although volunteers run a little nippers program on Saturday mornings which is fantastic for them,” she said.
“The kids gained much water confidence and their strokes improved throughout the 10 days of the program Sally and myself offered.”
The venture went so well a return trip is already planned for this November and another is on the cards for February next year. The teachers who make the trek will differ each time, rotating between Sally, Christine, and another local swim teacher.
“This time when we go back, we’ve already got 47 kids to do it,” Sally said.
“The community of Lord Howe are thinking of things to do for fundraising,” she said as they continue to find travel funds for their future visits.
