Across Australia Hannah’s Foundation to date (1st May 2012) is heading many campaigns about Water Safety and Education.
Hannah’s Foundation was never just about Hannah or our story it’s about the families who continually join this journey and courageously share their lives and their tragic losses. It’s also truly about prevention and messages about Water and Pool safety in Australia. Over 300 people are killed every year to drowning and nearly triple that are injured.
Since 2008, the Summer Safety Campaign with the QLD Sunday Mail spearheaded with journalists Sarah Vogler and Sam Healy was about changes to Pool Safety. The number of families who supported this and spoke publicly for the first time was enormous. We thank the Tognola, Connors, Hockings and Roberts families who publicly supported the campaign.
In 2009, Flood and Weir Safety was a priority after Easter drowning and in particular the tragedy of young Teenager Brandi Allen. Along with Brandi’s mum Deanna, the Foundation was able to author the Positive Choices Program which is directed to Teenagers about Life and Water Safety. The +CProgam also joined forces with other teenage tragedy related foundations to help spread the message in QLD on SAFETY. We thank the Matthew Stanley Foundation and the Carly Ryan Foundation in South Australia for their support in saving kids lives. Another thanks goes to Fatal Vision, who have allowed the Foundation to be licensed to use their Safety products for the next three years. With direct access to safety videos, educational beer and drug goggles and printed resources, these have become invaluable in helping teenagers under the risks and consequences of their actions. Road safety, drug and alcohol binges, water risks and other such behaviours are all covered.
May 2009 the Founders of Hannah’s Foundation and Dr Steve Rashford, Medical Director to Qld Ambulance Service and Foundation member Tammy Richie worked with the QLD State Government to create the Qld Pool Safety Campaign. After discussions with writers and film makers the three videos and two radio advertisements the first ever personal public campaign was launched. The Videos and Radio ads along with posters, flyers and billboards were around the state for just one four months and still continues. Qld as of the 1st May 2012 has reduced pool drownings by over 85% in just under three years. Hannah’s Foundation and its members play a huge part in Education in Pool Safety in Qld.
September 2009 – The Harris Family in Victoria launch the campaign for Lauren’s Law. Lauren’s Law will no doubt strengthen pool safety laws in Victoria after the death of Lauren in an illegally fenced backyard pool in a rental property. Since Lauren’s death in 2008 her parents Cam and Monica want to know why it could happen. Currently in 2012 Lauren’s death is a high profile media case in the Victorian Coroner’s Court. The Foundation has supported law changes and at the request of the Coroner provided written documentation, reports and authored public education for his review. The Harris family awaits the recommendations and findings when Lauren’s inquest continues in June of 2012. This has been the longest inquest that the Foundation has provided support services to the Family and we too eagerly await recommendations to help support the Fight for Justice for Lauren’s Law.
2010, Hannah’s Foundation partnered with the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation in Lincoln Nebraska USA with their Josh the Baby Otter literacy and water safety program. Utilising the authored book by Blake Collingsworth and beautifully illustrated by Ashley Spitsnogle, Josh the baby Otter is a story that helps young children learn about water safety, the importance of floating on your back, always swimming with a buddy as well as reading. The book in South East Qld has been distributed to over 35 day cares, 61 families and 2 primary schools. The Message of Josh the Otter is one we believe, along with the support of Learn to Swim schools can aid in the reduction of child drownings everywhere.
October 2010 – Kelly Taylor joined the Foundation after her son Jaise lost his life in a rental property pool in NSW whilst on holidays from QLD. Jaise’s Law for NSW has been advocated by Kelly and in 2012 the NSW Dept of Local Government announced a review of the Pool Legislation. Hannah’s Foundation along with Mrs Taylor have actively campaigned for changes and to abolish self certification procedures for Pool fencing complaince. Mrs Taylor has personally campaigned Members of Parliament in NSW with the support of the Hannah’s Foundation and we are now awaiting the NSW Government draft review of the legislation. Jaise’s Law see here for more details –
December 2010 – March 2011 – Qld Flood Recovery and support to Grantham, Murphys Creek and 13 families affected by Flood deaths. The Foundation still support seven families who lost loved ones and continues to provide Peer Support to the victims of Grantham
April 2011 – February 2012 – Masonicare Flood Recovery. With support of the Freemasons in NSW Hannah’s Foundation was selected by their charity entity Masonicare to distribute funds of $100,000 and goods to flood victims. Supporting primary producers in Helidon and Grantham the Masonicare funds helped many return to producing crops and providing support to the community. Masonicare continues to support Hannah’s Foundation and we are very fortunate to have been able to liaise with them during such a hard time for the Qld People of the Lockyer Valley, Ipswich and Toowoomba regions.
June 2012 – Launched again the Life Jackets your seat belt on the Water Campaign with support of SEQ Water and QFRS. Posters, signs and brochures distributed to over 12,000 children in local highschools to educate on the importance of Dams, Weirs, Flood Waters and the wearing of Life jackets.
