Free water safety classes on Australia Day will provide an opportunity for children across Ararat to learn how to stay safe around waterways. 

Ararat Rural City Council will provide free ‘open water learning experiences’ on Tuesday for children aged six to 12 in Ararat and Lake Bolac. 

Acting chief executive Julie Cronin said the council’s Australia Day events focused on enabling families to safely have fun around natural attractions and waterways. 

“Because of COVID-19 restrictions children were not able to go to their usual water safety and swim classes and these events are a response to this,” she said. 

Ms Cronin said there would be three different ‘experience’ events, one at Lake Bolac Peter O’Rorke Memorial Swimming Pool and two at Ararat Outdoor Olympic Swimming Pool. 

“We encourage everyone with primary-school aged children to register them into one of these events,” she said. 

“Water safety is especially important in regional Victoria as children travel and visit waterways and beaches over the summer holidays.” 

Ararat Rural City Council will also host its annual Australia Day celebrations at Alexandra Oval Community Centre, with a ceremony starting at 10am.

People are required to book for each of the events via website www.ararat.vic.gov.au, by calling Josephine Frawley on 5355 0271, or by visiting the council offices at 59 Vincent Street, Ararat. 

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