TACKING Point Dippers (Autism Swim) celebrated their presentation day on Saturday 28 March, with many smiles on the faces of the medal and certificate recipients – and their proud parents.
Held at Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club (TPSLSC), the celebrations included the announcement that the Port Plate three-day charity golf event had raised $10,000.
This means a total of $66,000 has been raised over the five years the event has taken place.
In addition to receiving support from TPSLSC and the golf clubs, the Dippers also thanked members of the Lake Cathie CWA for their help and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for a community grant.
Autism Swim are inclusive aquatic education specialists for children on the autism spectrum, who are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.
Their mission is to reduce these statistics by ensuring that everyone has the same opportunity to thrive and survive and have fun around the water.
The committee of volunteers said the money raised from the charity event will be used for specialist equipment, the training of trainers, and to encourage young people with autism to be surf aware.
In 2010, local identity Brian Johnson, who has a child on the autism spectrum, saw the need for a local group to support young people to have fun while being safe in the surf.
Brian and his wife Suzie had contributed to a peak body for a number of years without seeing much improvement, so a committee was formed from which the local Dippers emerged.
“People struggle to understand autism, as it is so individual,” Brian told News Of The Area.
“The example I use is: if you were to look up in the night sky full of stars, each one is individual.
“On the spectrum, they all sparkle [but] in a different place surrounded by darkness.
“This is a thing that the rest of the world doesn’t understand.”
Brian, the committee, and all the volunteers have seen the great results and achievements in having the Dippers.
If anyone would like further information, visit their website at autismswim.com.au.
By Bill HARROW
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