Winner of the "Patrons Award for the most significant contribution to water safety with a focus on an under-represented group" at 2008 NSW Water Safety Awards

The Samuel Morris Foundation, established in March 2007, is Australia's first and only charity supporting children disabled by near drowning or other hypoxic brain injuries, and targeting child drowning prevention.

“Probably the greatest irony in me becoming an Olympic swimmer is that I could have drowned before I was two years old. Twice I was plucked from the bottom of the pool by my father and it’s unfortunate to know that thirty years on childhood drownings are as high as ever. Despite all the warnings child drowning continues to be a tragic part of Australian society. I am honoured to be a part of the Samuel Morris Foundation as I was one of the lucky survivors, many children are not as fortunate. It is reassuring to know that the foundation is supporting children disabled by near drowning and is continuing to promote prevention of future deaths and disability from drowning. Together we can all make a huge difference”.

Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare demonstrates that the issue of hospitalisation due to drowning / near drowning in the 0-4 age group is a hidden epidemic. For every child who dies as a result of drowning, there are three to four children admitted to hospital as a result of near drownings, and one fifth of those admitted to hospital as a result of a near drowning will experience severe or ongoing persistent consequences such as profound neuorological damage, spastic quadraplegia, attention, memory and perceptual defects. Many of these children will need a wide range of equipment, and the Samuel Morris Foundation is here to help provide it.

A report released by the Child Death Review Team on Trends in Child Deaths over the past decade revealed that child death rates had fallen in every category EXCEPT drowning. The NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People has called for stronger action on the regulation and inspection of backyard swimming pool fences to help prevent drowning deaths, a call which is fully supported by this Foundation, and a position for which this Foundation has been strongly advocating. The NSW Coroners office has called for the implementation of a mandatory certification program for swimming pool fencing. The Foundation also fully supports this call.

The Samuel Morris Foundation has received notification that it is a finalist in the 2009 Business Achiever Awards in the Community Service/Not for Profit category. We look forward to the awards night and to meeting the other finalists! We are also pleased to note that one of our partners, Belinda Hill and Associates is also a finalist in the Awards!.

The Aquatic and Recreation Institutes 45th Annual Conference dinner, held at the beautiful Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour, was dedicated to supporting the Samuel Morris Foundation with a donation made for every conference registration and funds from the auction also donated to the Foundation.

A fun night was had by all and the Samuel Morris Foundation wishes to thank the Aquatic and Recreation Institute for it's support of our work, and for the many contacts that were made on the night. The Foundation would also like to acknowledge the outstanding excellence of the winners of the Royal LIfe Saving Society of Australia Lifegaurd of the Year,  the Pierce Pool Supplies Facility of the Year, and Ormatech Award for Excellence which were presented on the night.

The ARI conference committee should be proud of conducting what was clearly a well attended and thoroughly enjoyed conference.