As part of ongoing calls for greater water safety and drowning prevention initiations in Casey, a free beach safety event will be taking place at Wollamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
The theme for the beach event will be ‘Science of the Surf’, which will be led by one of Australia’s leading coastal experts, Professor Rob Branderl, also known as Dr Rip.
Dr Rip will deliver a visually powerful and engaging education presentation, including a live rip current demonstration to teach attendees how a current can occur, how they can be fatal and how to get out of one.
A panel discussion is also planned for the event which will explore water safety rooted in scientific, cultural and local knowledge.
The event collaborates and leverages regional partners across Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong, with Federation University academic, Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra set to speak on the panel.
Dr Kandra has become a driving and positive force within the discussion about water safety, specifically for culturally and linguistically diverse populations living in Melbourne’s South East.
The senior lecturer was a key member in launching the Safely Engaging with Water Program in June 2024.
Since then, many members of the diverse community have learnt to swim through low cost, accessible and consistent water safety lessons.
The event is free, and will be held at Wollamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday 7 March from 11am to 2pm.
