![LAUNCH: Emergency services at the campaign launch at Nouriel Park on Sunday. Picture: JAMES WILTSHIRE LAUNCH: Emergency services at the campaign launch at Nouriel Park on Sunday. Picture: JAMES WILTSHIRE](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/u2TKvX7hYXGMrKgrD4ZiFN/86129bcd-0d35-42e7-b195-2e890dc82e8d.jpg/r0_482_4611_3074_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
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A NEW river safety campaign is all about education, according to Royal Lifesaving Society Australia chief executive Justin Scarr.
Mr Scarr said about 25 per cent of drownings in Australia were in rivers.
He hopes the new Respect the River campaign will change the attitude of people who use the Murray River.
“We’re not trying to discourage people from using the rivers,” Mr Scarr said.
“They are beautiful from a recreation respective.
“What we’re encouraging people to understand is they can be risky.
“There are cold water currents, changing flows and snags, and the campaign is really about education.
“We are partnering with community groups to bring some effort and energy to the campaign.”
Health Minister and Member for Farrer Sussan Ley urged people to pay greater care around water this summer.
Ms Ley helped launch the campaign at Noureil Park in Albury on Sunday.
“While everyone assumes, I guess, that most people drown in the ocean or at the beach, that’s not the case,” she said.
“Our inland waterways are particularly dangerous.
“We’re here on the banks of the Murray River because in this beautiful but dangerous river, eight people lost their lives last year.”
The Border experienced a horror period on the water last season.
Lavington man Roger Bradney drowned at Bungowannah last December while fishing from a boat.
Denique Peace had her leg severed by a boat propeller while wakeboarding at Bundalong the same month.
Melbourne suburban football club identity Marty Humphreys drowned at Lake Mulwala in January, and a 74-year-old kayaker drowned at Tallangatta.