Kids Make a Splash at Cobram Bush Nippers

"We are thrilled with the success of the 2025 Bush Nippers program. All of the young people who participated had a great time as did the staff.”

Thompsons Beach in Cobram saw 167 local kids splash into the Murray for a day of fun and water safety education as part of LSV’s Bush Nippers program.

The three-day program for children aged five to 14 covered how to spot hazards in coastal, pool and inland waterway settings, survival swim strokes, wearing a lifejacket properly, emergency response, water survival strategies, board paddling and how to use safety equipment in rescue situations. 

The aim of the program is to ensure participants have the water safety skills and knowledge to make good decisions when enjoying their local waterways.

Bush Nippers is run by LSV in partnership with Moira Shire Council, Barooga Aquatic and Recreation Centre and is supported by a number of local community organisations including the Cobram Barooga Canoe Club.

"We are thrilled with the success of the 2025 Bush Nippers program.  All of the young people who participated had a great time as did the staff,” said Kristal Bourke, Assistant Manager of Business Development and Wellbeing at Barooga Aquatics and Recreation Centre.

“It was a pleasure to see so many smiling faces and to know that the program could help to prevent a future drowning.”

Bush Nippers continues to go from strength to strength in the region, with Bush Nippers sessions running in Cobram for a number of years, and starting in Yarrawonga in January.