Students ranged in age from tiny babies doing water confidence classes to stroke-correction classes for more advanced teenage swimmers.

Orange City Council mayor John Davis visited the aquatic centre to congratulate its staff on making a significant contribution to community safety.

“There are still too many drowning deaths in Australia,” Cr John Davis said. 

“Whether it’s a tragedy in a backyard pool or a country youngster getting into difficulty on holidays at the beach, these are accidents that we can do a lot to prevent.”

Cr Davis said the Orange Aquatic Centre’s Austswim accredited swim school was an excellent environment to develop what should be an essential skill for anyone living in Australia.

Enrolments are now open for the next round of swimming classes in the new year.

The January sessions are intensive classes, held during the school holidays. There’s one class a day for eight to 10 days.

The other classes are structured with one class a week, and will last throughout the first school term of next year.

Further details are available on the Orange City Council’s website, simply visit at www.orange.nsw.gov.au/pool.