Clara's lesson: rescue yourself before someone else needs to
Clara immigrated to Newcastle, NSW from South Sudan in 2008. As a mother of three far from her homeland, she understands the value of self-reliance.
Living in Australia, she quickly realised that water would significantly influence her and her family's life, and she needed to be prepared.
"I'm the only one in this country from my family, and my kids were born here," she said. "In my home country of South Sudan, we have lakes but not as much water as Australia. Here, I learned about being flooded and other common dangers with water. I thought it would be important to learn more," she said.
She found out about A Splash of Colour Swimming, a program designed for women of diverse backgrounds who would benefit from gaining water confidence. She joined in 2023 and liked it so much that she completed a second term of lessons in 2025.
"I've learned that there are many different ways of swimming and important swimming skills, like floating. Something new I learned this year is what to do if you want to rescue someone."
Clara said she loves the way A Splash of Colour's instructors motivate their classes. They don't just teach the skills; they build belief.
"I love the way the instructors really encourage us. When they said, 'You can do it!' I thought, 'OK, I can do my best.'"
She finds calm and enjoyment in the water, and has even made some new friends.
"Sometimes you're stressed from work, and then you're relaxing and saying hello to your friends. You have to learn and listen in the water. I love it."
Clara is thankful she has had the opportunity to be part of A Splash of Colour Swimming, and said it was important to come to every lesson in the course.
"Even if I was busy I made sure I could come to every session, so I could be my best and make the people who organised and donated to the program proud."
Her advice to others thinking about joining is not to be scared, but to be confident.
"You need to be the person to rescue yourself before someone else has to rescue you."
Clara was a Splash of Colour Swimming participant at NuSport Aquatic Centre, Newcastle NSW
Photo taken by Newcastle Herald
Kavita’s hidden phobia surprised her daughter
Kavita is a professional who came to Australia from India more than 32 years ago.
Her family now lives in a home with a swimming pool, which her ten-year-old daughter loves. From the outside, Kavita's family are keen swimmers, enjoying the water and summer days spent by the pool.
Her daughter didn't realise that her own mum, who stayed busy elsewhere while others were in the water, didn't actually know how to swim.
When Kavita was growing up in India, her family moved frequently due to her father's defence career. They rarely had access to pools or waterways. But a frightening experience at five years old when she was thrown into the ocean shaped Kavita's discomfort around water.
"Even in a shower, I stand with my back to the water. I have a deep phobia of having my face in the water," Kavita said.
Kavita saw A Splash of Colour Swimming on Facebook and thought about the importance of showing her daughter that vulnerability and strength go hand in hand.
"I had a close relationship with my Nanna, and I remember her in her sixties taking herself off to English lessons. She was my role model—someone who learned and tried new things no matter her age or level. I couldn't risk my own daughter thinking it's okay for someone to not at least try to swim."
One day, Kavita came home from her first lesson with A Splash of Colour Swimming and told her daughter where she'd been. "She burst out laughing, she was so surprised. But by the next week she was encouraging me, just like my husband, work colleagues and friends did."
Kavita didn't expect to become an excellent swimmer after the ten-lesson program. She wanted to move past her phobia, and she found the support she needed in her swimming instructor.
"In my first lessons, I thought I was paddling really hard, but when I looked up, I hadn't even moved. I wasn't putting my head under," she explained.
"A young woman, Kaitlyn, held my hand and asked me to put my face and goggles in the water while focusing on her toes. I'll always remember her face and her hands leading me through my fear."
Kavita was deeply moved by her instructor's compassion. "When I look at her, I know future leadership is in good hands."
Kavita says her experience in a safe environment has helped her move past a lifelong phobia, feel safer around water, and be the positive example for her daughter she wants to be.
Kavita was a Splash of Colour Swimming participant at Charlestown Swim Centre, Lake Macquarie NSW.
Aarati learns to swim for the next generation
Aarati came to Australia from Nepal, a landlocked country where swimming was never part of her daily life. Her fear of water came from a frightening experience when she was a child.
"When I was young, I nearly drowned in the river during a family picnic near my house," Aarati recalls.
"I slipped on a stone, and the next thing I was under the water. I couldn't breathe. I was panicked. Someone pulled my leg to get me out."
Moving to Australia, Aarati found herself surrounded by water. She often felt scared and anxious near pools and beaches. "I felt like I was going to drown, even when the water was up to my waist."
Aarati wanted to feel more confident. "I thought I should learn swimming because I have a 13-month-old daughter. I want to be able to join her in the pool when she's older."
She heard about A Splash of Colour Swimming from a friend at work who mentioned the free classes. She felt encouraged to join, knowing there would be a friend by her side.
The program's focus on emotional safety was important for Aarati. In her first class, her fear was obvious.
"I was the one in the group screaming 'You're not going to leave me, right?'"
"The instructors immediately made me feel safe. They told me they were there for me."
Aarati completed the term. Her relationship with water changed completely, and she gained skills that help her feel safer.
"I learnt important swimming skills, like not panicking while you're in the water. Even if you can't swim perfectly, you learn how to save yourself in the water."
Her instructor praised her improvement from the first class to the final class. This meant a lot to Aarati.
"Now, any day off, I want to swim for an hour! If I can do that, why can't I do other things? It's had such a positive impact on my life."
Aarati found deep connection within the classes. Her passion is now influencing her community and her family.
"I was sad to leave the instructors and the people in the class when the term finished. I can't wait to do the next lessons," she said.
Aarati is now determined to give her daughter the water-positive start she never had. She also plays an active role helping others like herself who feel uncertain or scared.
"I tell them it's never too late to learn."
Aarati was a Splash of Colour Swimming participant at Gosford Aquatic Centre.
Celebrating Excellence in the Aquatic Industry
Excellence in Cultural Diversity Award from Royal Life Saving
A Splash of Colour Swimming received the Excellence in Cultural Diversity award at The Aquas 2025 Gala, hosted by Royal Life Saving NSW.
The event celebrated achievements in lifesaving sport, leadership, cultural inclusion, and innovation. Recognised for breaking down barriers and promoting water safety among CALD communities, A Splash of Colour Swimming program was honoured alongside other industry leaders before an audience of over 230 guests.
