Active Oceans: A Case Study
Active Oceans: Making a splash in South-Western Victoria
On any Saturday during the warmer months, and often after school as well, dozens of young people with
disabilities are heading to the south-west coast to sail, swim, snorkel, fish, surf or row, as part of Active Oceans
– a respite and recreation program with an element of adventure. And for quite a few participants, taking part
has led to regular membership in the sporting and recreation clubs that offer the activities. Operating across the
City of Warrnambool and the Shires of Moyne, Glenelg, Southern Grampians and Corangamite, Active Oceans
has been developed collaboratively by RuralAccess, disability support agency Mpower, the South West Sports
Assembly and other community organisations. The program involves local communities, in partnership with
disability support services, providing opportunities to engage in activities not usually available to people with
disabilities and promoting greater inclusion and participation in the community for people of all abilities.
Mpower, a disability support agency in Warrnambool, administers Active Oceans. But it couldn’t happen without
the individual sports clubs whose members ‘make it happen’, providing the scheduled activities with the help of
club and community volunteers. RuralAccess Project Officer Richard Stone has been involved since Active
Oceans began around 2002. He explains how the program evolved following the success of a one-off pilot
program called surf saddle swim:
‘We looked at how we could keep it going, and decided to direct our focus to the aquatic/ocean activities. We
started to approach other potential community partners. Every year we had to apply for different funding
streams, with coordination shared around between the disability agencies.
‘Each member agency contributes either through financial means or specific roles. Longer term funding from the
Department of Human Services has now enabled us to build more solid relationships with the clubs, and have
ongoing coordination by Mpower. Over time, clubs have become increasingly receptive to Active Oceans, and
some clubs have attracted funding based on their involvement with the program.’
Department of Human Services
One participant who has been attending for some years now is Chris Murray, whose love of swimming first
attracted him to the program. He is now a regular member of the Nestles Rowing Club. His mother, Margaret
Murray, does the 100km round trip to Warrnambool twice a week so that Chris can train with the club:
‘I used to take him down every day after school – he got very interested in all the activities and then rowing
came up. We went down there and he had a row, and liked it; he went again about a fortnight later, and that’s
when Tom Bertrand [now Chris’s coach] said ‘Do you mind if I give Chris some lessons?’ So he went down to a
couple of training nights then at the end of 2005 Tom came up to us and said ‘I want to train him to go in the
national titles’. I said good heavens! What’s that?! So in March 2006 we went across to Lake Barrington in
Tasmania, where Chris became the first Victorian to win gold in his division – the adaptive single scull – at the
Australian Rowing Championships.’
Chris loves the water and loves rowing – and although he agrees
it’s hard work at times, he’s keen to keep on training, and continues
to compete at state and national levels.
‘He’s more independent…when he’s
out there in a single scull, no-one else
can sit in it with him. It’s something
he’s doing himself.’
Margaret says, ‘I feel it’s been really good for him. He’s more independent – because he’s out there on that big
water, and he’s got to get himself back. When he’s out there in a single scull, no-one else can sit in it with him.
It’s something he’s doing himself.’
Chris’s coach, Tom Bertrand, was instrumental in developing Nestles Rowing Club’s relationship with Active
Oceans, and believes strongly in the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of sport:
‘We’ve got a whole chain of teenagers who help with the program, who now see disabilities with a changed
outlook. And at the regattas, we went from nothing, and fighting hard at the start, to everyone being impressed
at how these athletes row and their manner around the regatta. Some people have had their assumptions
turned right around – now these athletes have the support of everyone.’
For Mpower, Active Oceans represents a shift from traditional respite and recreation models for people with
disabilities. As Coordinator Paul Lougheed points out, ‘Previous programs have had a focus on community
access, but this program enables us to take the next step, from getting people visible in the community to
having an active and valued involvement. Club members tell us that people with disabilities contribute
significantly through their achievements and participation – and this in turn extends the role and profile of
Mpower in the community.’
Active Oceans has proved to be a sustainable partnership with benefits for people with and without disabilities,
as well as organisations across South-West Victoria. As Tom Bertrand says, ‘It’s like any sport at all – it’s the
opportunity to meet people and help each other.’
More information
RuralAccess Project Officer, City of Warrnambool
Ph: (03) 5564 7864
Mpower on:
Ph: (03) 5561 8111
Toll Free: 1800 806 093 (South Western Region only)
TTY: 1300 363 559