When the Kadakia family immigrated to Taylors Lakes from India in 2000, spending time at the beach became a favoured pastime.
But despite spending many fun days by the sea, the family had no idea what the red and yellow flags signified or what a rip was, until it was too late.
In 2009, brothers Rootvij Kadakia and friends were at Lake Tyers beach, near Lakes Entrance, when Rootvij jumped into fast-moving waters to save a drowning friend.
The mechanical engineering student, 26, drowned while his friend was left in a vegetative state.
“When we came to Australia, no one told us what to do at the beach,” Mounil Kadakia, Rootvij’s brother, says.
The family came from Gujarat in western India. The only time they went to the beach was on trips to a bay in Mumbai when visiting relatives.
“You’d be amazed to know how many immigrants don’t know the meaning behind the flags,” Mounil says.
Not long after Rootvij died, family and friends set up the Rootvij Kadakia Foundation, working with Life Saving Victoria (LSV) to run programs for tourists, migrants and international students, teaching them the ins and outs of beach safety.
Earlier this month, the organisation’s contribution to lifesaving efforts was recognised by LSV, which awarded it the International Lifesaving Federation citation of merit at the annual Life Saving Victoria excellence awards.
Mounil says his brother would be proud.
“But more importantly, I’m proud of what my brother did. He always wanted to help people and that’s what he was doing in the last minutes.”
