Thirroul’s Peter Rafferty – a Scarborough Wombarra lifesaver who runs free swim lessons for refugees and asylum seekers – has been congratulated on his “stalwart and sustained support” for those who need it most.

“He equips those who have come to this beautiful country from all over the world, with the tools necessary to enjoy our oceans,” Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart wrote in a Community Recognition Statement to NSW Parliament.

A retired engineer, Peter has been teaching people to swim at Woonona’s ocean pool since 2021. The free lessons started when Peter was volunteering as a SCARF driving instructor but saw a more pressing need.

“Quite a lot of the people I’ve met are from the Congo and other African countries that don’t have access to the ocean. So there’s a quite obvious need to teach them to swim,” he told the Flame at the time.

Lessons paused over winter but are now back on.

Peter is an AustSwim qualified teacher. To ask about lessons, call or text him on 0424 199 299.