$1.4m boost for swimming programs

Water-safety and swimming education programs in the North West have been given a boost by a $1.4 million contribution from BHP Billiton.

An event held in Perth last week celebrated the success of BHP Billiton and the Royal Life Saving Society WA's 10-year partnership, which has been extended to 2015.

The partnership began in the Pilbara with the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools Program which provides supervised pools and swimming safety programs to indigenous communities.

RLSS WA general manager community relations Greg Tate said the funding and support of BHP Billiton enabled the organisation to reach more people.

"Together we've been able to deliver important initiatives like the RASPP and we're particularly proud of as it's recognised by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research for improving the health and wellbeing of indigenous children in remote communities," he said.

"We've also been able to reach more than one million children who have taken part in our swim and survive program."

BHP Billiton Iron Ore vice-president health safety environment and community, Brett Swayn, said the company was proud to be supporting programs that help promote water safety, health and wellbeing among West Australians.

"Being in and around the water is a big part of the WA lifestyle, and we are proud to support programs that help people to enjoy the water safely," he said.

BHP Billiton also supports other programs run by RLSS WA including swim and survive, watch around water, infant aquatics, keep watch, and indigenous traineeships. Go to the Lifesaving WA website.