Minister for School Education Peter Garrett today attended the Uncle Tobys and Royal Life Saving Operation 10,000 event at Customs House in Sydney.

The event is part of a fundraising campaign to help Royal Life Saving Australia raise awareness and funds to provide free water safety lessons for 10,000 disadvantaged children.

“I’m proud to support initiatives to increase the number of Australian kids who know how to swim safely and to care for themselves and one another, in and around the water,” Mr Garrett said.

“We are a nation of surfers and swimmers, so it’s incredibly important that all Australian kids have access to swimming and water safety lessons, and be taught basic CPR.

“As part of the Operation 10,000 event, a custom built swimming pool has been installed at Customs House for one week, and participants can take part in swim and water safety activities.”

In 2010, all of Australia’s education ministers agreed to prioritise health and physical education in phase three of the development of the Australian Curriculum.

“With the physical education curriculum under review this year, I would encourage those interested in educating Australian students about water safety to visit the ACARA website and find out how they can get involved,” Mr Garrett said.

“I commend both Uncle Tobys and Royal Life Saving on their commitment to raising awareness of the importance of water safety.”

For more information on Operation 10,000 visit: www.swimkids.com.au

For more information on the Australian Curriculum visit: www.acara.edu.au