Anglesea hosts beach ‘huddle’

The event was part of “The Huddle” program run in Werribee by North Melbourne Football Club, the Scanlon Foundation and the Australian Multicultural Foundation.

The program looks to build social cohesion through sport, helping young people to participate in society.

Anglesea SLSC secretary Jennifer McIntyre said the club’s involvement in the program helped offer participants a very special experience.

“It’s to give them exposure to ocean safety and an experience at the beach.

“Some had literally never been in the ocean, so it was amazing to watch.”

This year Anglesea SLSC hosted two days at the beach, one on Tuesday, January 21 for younger children, and one on Thursday, January 23 for young adults.

There were more than 30 volunteers from Anglesea SLSC who helped on the Tuesday alone.

Ms McIntyre said the volunteers who generously sacrificed their time also got plenty from the experience.

“It was really good for our kids as well to see children from different backgrounds. Even speaking to some of the adults (the parents of the children) the experiences they’ve been through we can’t even imagine.”

Anglesea SLSC has been associated with the program for almost the entirety of its 10-year existence.