Saying it’s hot in Newman is like saying it’s cold in Iceland. Nine times out of ten you’ll be proven right. Which means that the Newman Aquatic Centre in the heart of town is the place to be on a hot summer’s day. Or a hot autumn day. Or spring day. But not winter – that would be silly.

Until recently, Newman was faced with a challenge: the pool didn’t have enough lifeguards to keep it open as much as the locals wanted, and few other places in town offered the respite from the heat and the fun that it’s known for. 

That’s where Talent Pool comes in. Talent Pool is an initiative by the Royal Life Saving Society that’s getting the next generation of lifeguards ready. Aimed at Indigenous youth between 15 – 21, the program gives the youth a shot at building skills and finding work – while also building up a team that can help keep the Newman Aquatic Centre open for longer. The program has already placed over 60 young people into first-time jobs in Port Hedland and has just recently expanded to Newman.

Talent Pool is filling a big need in the community. By training local youth as lifeguards and pool operators, it’s making sure that Newman’s pool stays open and accessible for everyone. This is essential for Newman, a close-knit town where places like the pool are central to community life. “Training locals who live here and love Newman is going to make a huge difference,” says Greg Tate from Royal Life Saving Society. Having qualified lifeguards and operators from the community keeps the pool safe and keeps things running smoothly.

The “life continuum program” offers a step-by-step path of training for local kids, starting with early childhood water safety (ages 0-4) and moving through the Swim and Survive program for ages 5-15. These basics set kids up for Talent Pool and the Bronze Medallion, where they learn lifesaving skills that can turn into actual jobs at local pools.

For Greg, Talent Pool is about more than just training - it’s also about creating a legacy of mentorship. As these young lifeguards grow up, he hopes they’ll teach the next generation, building a cycle of skill-sharing and leadership. “We want them to become Talent Pool coaches, so they can bring through the next generation of lifeguards for this local community,” he says.

Though based in Perth, Greg oversees many of the pools located in regional WA, including The Pilbara and Goldfields.

“Everyone’s close, everyone knows each other, and everyone’s got each other’s back,” he says, speaking to the regional spirit. This spirit fits with Talent Pool’s goals, where local youth aren’t just getting jobs but also taking on roles that help keep their community stay safe.

With support from BHP, Talent Pool is more than just a training program - it’s a big opportunity that gives Indigenous youth a pathway to meaningful work while building pride and responsibility. It’s not just lifeguards that are being raised up. It’s future leaders for the community. 

Talent Pool is part of a long-time partnership between the Royal Life Saving Society WA and BHP, which has been bringing swimming and safety programs to regional Western Australia for over 20 years.