AUSTSWIM Safeguarding Masterclass Highlights Child Safety

With 62% of Australians having experienced child maltreatment, the importance of continual learning and education around safeguarding cannot be underestimated.

AUSTSWIM was proud to host another successful professional development event yesterday, a Masterclass on Preventing Grooming, attended by over 60 industry professionals at MSAC in Melbourne.

Keynote speaker Phil Doorgachurn, international safeguarding expert and AUSTSWIM advisor, powerfully brought to life the four preconditions to child abuse first identified by researcher David Finkelhor almost four decades ago, insights that remain foundational to child abuse prevention today.

Phil explored both internal and external preconditions, offering practical strategies that organisations can implement to deter grooming behaviours — from strengthening recruitment and safeguarding policies to fostering cultures where speaking up is safe and the voices of children and young people are always heard.

A thought-provoking panel discussion followed, facilitated by AUSTSWIM Chair Melinda Crole, a lifelong advocate for children’s rights.

Fiona Preston, General Manager, Venues, at Melbourne Sports Centres, spoke about the value of “learning about the things we don’t know” and using data to drive organisational accountability.

“If you’re struggling to get traction on safeguarding, take the statistic shared today that 62% of children experience abuse and apply it to your own participation data. You can’t argue with data.”

Sarah Podesta, National Growth Manager of Aquatics at Belgravia Leisure, emphasised the importance of both a top-down and bottom-up approach, supported by dedicated safeguarding resources across large teams.

Lisa Williams, Aquatics Manager at ClubLinks, reinforced the link between training and empowerment:

“Training builds understanding, but confidence builds action.”

AUSTSWIM CEO Brad Maunsell opened and closed the event, thanking participants for their active engagement:

“This is not just a compliance exercise, it’s about protecting what matters most and ensuring every child and young person has the right to feel safe, supported and respected in sport, leisure and aquatics.”

AUSTSWIM continues to strengthen its commitment to child safety through new professional development offerings, including an affordable and accessible online Safeguarding PD module for swim teachers, co-created with Phil Doorgachurn.

Enrol here now for our online Safeguarding Professional Development.