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Emergency Commissioner praises Starfish Nippers

January 15, 2023 BY

THE state’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp visited Anglesea last weekend to witness participants of the all-ability Starfish Nippers program in action.

A clearly impressed Mr Crisp gave credit to all involved with the program that teaches life-saving skills to children and young adults with a disability, which was started by volunteers from the town’s life saving club in 2011.

“I haven’t stopped smiling since I’ve been here this morning… incredible young people, incredible support people, incredible parents,” he said.

Starfish Nippers is structured to run alongside a club’s age group Nippers schedule. Photos: SUPPLIED

“I hear the stories, and I know that Anglesea Starfish Nippers was the first program, how the young people have now that confidence, but not necessarily overly confident in and around water.”

Mr Crisp’s visit coincides with the latest statistics from Life Saving Victoria that revealed 27 people have fatally drowned in the state since July 2022.

The all-abilities Starfish Nippers program is now being offered across Australia after being founded in Anglesea 12 years ago. Photo: SUPPLIED

Starfish Nippers has been taken up by more than 40 clubs across Australia and overseas.

Program co-founder Naomi Symington said it was making a difference in water safety by teaching lifesaving to more people.
“Our hope is that every club around Australia offers an inclusive nipper program,” she said.

“We are proud to offer a meaningfully inclusive program that enriches not only the lives of our Starfish participants and their families but the fabric of our entire club.”

The program is a modified version of the successful Nippers offering and is structured to run alongside a club’s age group Nippers schedule that focuses on beach and water safety and awareness, while promoting inclusion and diversity.

Activities include running, beach flags, wading, swimming and board use, and activities with a club’s age group.

Mr Crisp said “everyone needs to be educated about water,” and had nothing but praise for Starfish Nippers, which he first witnessed at the Hampton Life Saving Club in Melbourne.

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