The Ripple Effect: How Remote Swimming Pools Are Transforming Community Wellbeing
The Ripple Effect: How Swimming Pools Are Transforming Community Wellbeing in Remote Australia
For over 100 years, the Royal Life Saving Society WA (RLSS WA) has focused on preventing drowning. But as CEO Peter Leaversuch reflects on the organisation’s evolution, it's clear that RLSS WA’s mission has expanded beyond water safety. In a recent interview, Peter shared his insights on how their work, particularly in remote Aboriginal communities, has embraced a broader understanding of social impact.
Fostering Inclusivity in Water Safety Education
One of the first thing Peter emphasises in our interview is the need to challenge Australia's assumptions about water safety. “People think of lifesaving in terms of coastal living, and it’s all about the beach – waves and rips and wear a hat. But my job is to make sure the community is resilient and can look after themselves, wherever they are, not just in the ocean.”
He highlighted that 40% of Australian children leave primary school are unable to swim 50 meters or tread water for a minute, a startling statistic that has life-or-death consequences.
Another significant challenge RLSS WA faces is inclusivity. “We understand that historically many of our programs have been developed with an Anglo-centric perspective,” Peter noted. The organisation is now grappling with how to make their programs more relevant for diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal children, who are twice as likely to drown as their non-Indigenous peers.
Swimming Pools: Enhancing Health and Social Impact in Communities
In remote areas, the development of swimming pools has addressed more than just water safety. These pools, built in collaboration with the government, were initially introduced to help tackle serious dust abatement issues affecting the health and well-being of these communities.
In the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, the air is often thick with the red dust that sweeps across the arid landscape during the long, hot summer months. This dust can linger in the air for days, affecting visibility and causing breathing difficulties, particularly for children.
“Many kids were arriving at school with massive ear, nose, and throat infections, sometimes even deaf due to the ongoing dust problems.
“It was a fascinating dilemma actually because everyone knows, health principle 101 is if you have an ear or sinus infection don’t go swimming. But for these small, remote, dust-engulfed communities, the mere act of diving into the water, being fully submerged, has an outstanding benefit in terms of hygiene, plus the mental health benefits of having a swim. The local health clinics have been really happy with the outcome.”
Beyond Water Safety: A Systems Thinking Approach
Peter’s work has grown to consider broader systemic challenges, and he credits this shift to the insights gained from his postgraduate studies in social impact at UWA, which helped him and his organisation rethink their approach.
“The social impact course was really useful in painting this bigger picture and uncovering our true value proposition,” said the social impact scholarship recipient.
"The systems thinking and leadership frameworks provided during my studies helped enable RLSS WA to expand their focus beyond drowning prevention to creating sustainable community hubs."
He now views the role of swimming pools in a more holistic way. These pools have evolved into centres for learning and community development, offering health benefits, boosting school attendance, and creating jobs for the local community.
"Systems thinking teaches you to look at the interconnectedness of things," Peter explains. "We’ve learned that improving water safety in these areas doesn’t just save lives—it enhances the quality of life across multiple dimensions."
“It's really shown me how addressing one problem can create ripple effects of positive change throughout a community.”
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Since completing his postgraduate studies in 2019, Peter has remained dedicated to utilising evidence-based frameworks, ensuring that the lessons learned from the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact continue to influence his work long after completing his formal education.
Recently, Peter and RLSS WA once again partnered with the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia (UWA), this time seeking guidance to ensure they are serving their community to the best of their ability.
“We had an independent evaluation of our programs, led by Professor Paul Flatau and his team. It provided us with objective insights and highlighted areas where we could improve and scale up, while also reinforcing the positive impacts,” Peter shared.
Through this ongoing collaboration and commitment to continuous improvement, Peter and RLSS WA are not only enhancing their initiatives, but also strengthening their mission to save lives and foster a more culturally inclusive and diverse approach to community engagement.
