Different backgrounds, same passion: how Swim Logan connects people

Mubarak Mohamed came to Australia from Ethiopia after spending years in a refugee camp; he also works as a carer with the NDIS and hopes soon to study at university. 

Coral Skidmore was born in Australia, and 6 months ago was struggling to recover from personal challenges that had left her low on confidence and self-esteem, hoping to improve her life and health. 

On the surface, the pair has very different stories to tell – but it led them to the same place. They are both teaching swimming thanks to being participants in the Swim Logan program and undertaking teacher training afterwards. 

Coral, who now teaches children to swim at Beenleigh Aquatic Centre, says the program has improved her life immeasurably.  

‘It’s such a great thing to be doing, in such a positive environment and it has made me become more confident and healthier – I just love everything about it,’ she says. 

‘There is always support if I need it and people to answer my questions if I have them.’ 

Coral was studying at TAFE when she was given a form about learning to swim. 

‘I did sort of know how to swim but it was about getting confident being around other people, and starting to improve my fitness,’ she says. 

‘I wanted to better myself so even though I was nervous I knew I needed to do it. 

‘It has helped me so much – and I was so happy when I received an email about doing the training to become a teacher. I love teaching kids. It’s a happy place – it’s impossible to feel anything but positive when you are doing it.’ 

Coral also teaches adults who have never learned to swim. 

‘It is a great feeling to see an adult that couldn’t swim get to the end of their first lesson with their confidence up and ready to come back the next week,’ she says. 

Coral says the Swim Logan program brought together so many people from so many different backgrounds, it has created a whole new network of connections for her.  

‘I have learned a lot from the people in the program – everyone has a different story that has brought them there, trying to make positive changes in their life,’ she says. 

Coral is continuing her learning by working towards a qualification that will allow her to teach younger children – from the age of 6 weeks up to 4 years. 

Mubarak, who also works as a carer with clients of the NDIS, says he loves that both of his roles give him the opportunity to help people. 

‘When I teach people to swim, it feels really positive, and I enjoy connecting with them. I am pretty quiet in my personal life, so this is a good outlet too,’ he says. 

‘It’s the same kind of feeling I get from my work with the NDIS.  

‘I am quieter in my personal life, so this is a chance for me to communicate with people in a really positive way.’ 

Mubarak teaches at Yeronga pool, where he also works as a lifeguard.  

Logan City Council ran the Swim Logan program, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, until December 2022. The Swim Logan program was delivered in partnership with Logan City Council, Aqualogan, The Aqua English Project and The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland.