The Zest Awards recognise the work of the community sector in Western Sydney, and celebrate community initiatives in the region. The 2021 award winners were announced at Stadium Australia in June.

The CALD Academy: Refugee Learn to Swim and Employment Program was awarded the Exceptional Community Partnership Award. This program is a collaboration between a number of community organisations, local businesses and training providers, including Accessible Diversity Services Initiative Limited (ADSi) and Belgravia Leisure.

The program was launched in 2018, and is designed to connect refugee youth with aquatic recreation, vocational training and employment. Participants undertake swimming lessons at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre in Lidcombe. Some participants also undertake vocational training to become swim teachers or lifeguards.

More than 200 young people have attended swimming lessons as part of the program. More than 20 have completed AUSTSWIM or lifeguard training. Pleasingly, a number of young people have also gained employment.

The teams at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre and ADSi intend to continue the program, and there are plans for it to be extended to other Belgravia Leisure facilities in Western Sydney.

Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre Manager Liz Stranix says ‘Partnering with a community organisation provides opportunity for services and resources to be more accessible and delivered more efficiently’. She is pleased with the results of the program, saying ‘Our program has benefited so many, including the young people who learn to swim and gain employment opportunities, whilst diversifying our centre’s workforce’.

‘What are you waiting for?’ is Liz’s advice for other recreation centres who are considering implementing programs like this. If partnering with a community organisation, she recommends building a solid relationship, and if you ‘combine with passion and commitment from both sides, a successful program will be created’.

Belgravia Foundation congratulates the CALD Academy team for their success, and for obtaining this recognition. This program shows the power of collaboration in local communities, and of the outcomes that can be achieved when organisations work together to provide opportunities for young people to gain new skills and employment.