MOVE Moonee Valley Programs Assistant Samira Abdullahi has been appointed to the Royal Life Saving Australia National Multicultural Communities Advisory Group, where she will help shape water safety education, participation and inclusion initiatives for multicultural communities across Australia.
After attending the 2026 National Water Safety Summit in Sydney, Samira will bring both lived experience and frontline community insights to national discussions on improving water safety outcomes for culturally diverse communities. Her appointment follows extensive work connecting families with aquatic programs, swimming opportunities and water safety education.
“Attending the National Water Safety Summit reinforced the importance of working alongside communities to make water safety education more accessible, inclusive and culturally relevant,” Samira said.
“Meeting fellow members of the National Multicultural Communities Advisory Group was incredibly inspiring and I’m honoured to contribute to a program that will help remove barriers, build confidence around water and create safer outcomes for multicultural families across Australia.”
Leading the Youth Drop-In program
Samira’s appointment recognises the impact she has already made in helping connect culturally diverse communities with water safety education and aquatic opportunities.
One of her key contributions has been through the Youth Drop-In program at Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, where she helped connect families with aquatic facilities, water safety education and pathways into swimming programs.
Drawing on her bilingual skills and strong community connections, Samira engaged families from Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrean backgrounds, helping create welcoming environments where parents and children could build confidence around water and learn more about available support programs.
Her efforts also helped connect children with MOVE’s All In! Program, increasing access to swimming lessons and vital water safety education.
A pathway from participant to advocate
This work grew from a journey that began through community participation and a desire to support others. After being introduced to MOVE Moonee Valley Community Engagement Coordinator Jaye Hansford through the Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley Local Learning and Employment Network (MMVLLEN) to explore education and employment opportunities, Samira became involved in MOVE’s women-only programs and community initiatives.
What began as a conversation about future aspirations evolved into mentoring, training and workplace experience opportunities that helped launch her career in the leisure industry.
Jaye Hansford said Samira’s appointment reflects both her commitment to her community and the impact trusted voices can have on improving water safety outcomes.
“From the moment Samira became involved in our programs, she has shown a genuine passion for supporting others and helping people feel welcome.
“As a young woman from a Somali background, Samira has used her lived experience, community connections and dedication to create opportunities for families and break down barriers to participation. She will bring an important perspective to national water safety discussions,” Jaye concluded.
Through her role on the National Multicultural Communities Advisory Group, Samira will bring those local experiences and community perspectives to national conversations, helping ensure water safety initiatives better reflect and support Australia’s diverse communities.
Samira’s appointment reflects Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive environments where people of all backgrounds feel connected, supported and able to participate, aligning with the organisation’s focus on social inclusion.
To learn more about MOVE Moonee Valley, visit the website.
