The KidSafe program of the year honour has been awarded to a Shepparton swim program.
In 2020, Ash Napolitano and Matt Boyle lost their two-year-old son Hunter, when he fell into a nearby dam and drowned.
They were driven to make a difference to help prevent this from happening to other children, and launched the Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Program in his memory, in May 2021.
It has just been named the Australian KidSafe program of the year, as part of National KidSafe Day, and the celebration of the organisation’s 45th anniversary.
KidSafe gave awards to recognise childhood injury prevention programs, research and work across Australia.
Ms Napolitano said although the award doesn’t feel real, it’s incredible to be recognised.
“We definitely wanted to make a difference, even if it was a small difference,” she said.
“It’s good to see that something amazing can come out of something so terrible.”
The program started out as a way to provide 10 children in the Goulburn Valley region with swimming lessons, but has grown beyond that.
The Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Program has provided more than 40 children in need with free swimming lessons and the equipment they need, culturally appropriate swimwear for local mothers, six swim teacher scholarships to help address the shortage of swim teachers in the region, and vital water safety education and resources to families.
Ms Napolitano said it was wonderful that they’d been able to make a difference.
“The cost of the lessons isn’t the only barrier that people face, it’s getting the equipment like bathers, goggles and towels as well,” Ms Napolitano said.
“We’re really trying to break down the barriers that people face.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do.”
KidSafe Victoria General Manager Jason Chambers said the award was a testament to the courage of Hunter’s parents, and their drive to make a difference in his memory.
“The Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Program demonstrates the hope that can arise from the tragedies KidSafe aims to prevent,” he said.
“It’s great recognition for the support and efforts of the Shepparton community, who have helped to self-fund the program activities.
“It shows how communities can come together to make positive changes and, overall, help make sure no other family experiences what Ash and Matt’s is.
“Hunter would be so proud of all that has been achieved.”
At the program’s Night Night Moon Gala Ball last year, they raised $20,000, which Ms Napolitano said “wouldn’t have happened without the Shepparton community”.
Ms Napolitano said it had been humbling to receive the national award and to see all the support they continue to receive.
“Hunter’s death rocked everyone in the community,” she said.
“It’s four years later, and people haven’t forgotten. They still want to help as much as they can.”