Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan says surf life savers will have the ability to use vital equipment and medical supplies to keep beachgoers safe and improve volunteer lifesaving skills thanks to an extra $9.7 million in funding announced on February 21.
Mr Conaghan, who is currently retraining for his bronze medallion at the South West Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club, said the additional funding to Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) builds on a further $21 million over the next three years for Water and Snow Safety Program.
The Cowper MP said surf lifesaving plays a vital role at beaches across the electorate, saving lives and dealing with emergencies in the water and on the beach day in, day out.
“This additional funding will ensure our local clubs will have the ability to purchase vital equipment and medical supplies that they need to keep Australians safe on our beaches,” Mr Conaghan said.
“From July 2019 to the end of June 2020, there were 248 drownings in Australia with more than half of the fatalities occurring in coastal areas. “The Federal Government will invest $3.1 million through the Water and Snow Safety Program, to support SLSA’s Beach Safety Equipment Fund aimed at preventing fatal and non-fatal drownings.
“It means surf lifesaving clubs will now be able to access up to $10,000 per annum over the next two years to purchase new or replacement patrol equipment such as rescue boards, life jackets, rescue manikins, inflatable rescue boats, all-terrain vehicles, defibrillators, and first aid and medical supplies.”
The new funding also includes $6.6 million over two years to continue providing vocational education and training (VET) to volunteers and build on SLSA’s capability.
SLSA is the largest volunteer movement in Australia with more than 173,000 members and 314 affiliated surf clubs across the length and breadth of the nation.
Mr Conaghan said the training offered by SLS to club volunteers and members provided them with transferrable skills beyond lifesaving.
“As well as being able to use new skills learnt during VET training for the purpose of life-saving, around 25 per cent of SLS members believe these new skills helped them gain employment,” he said.
“This funding will also help upgrade SLSA’s technology to enhance the training it offers, cut red tape and expand its recruitment and recognition of supervisors, trainers and assessors at clubs.
“Personally, I have been training to regain my bronze medallion and look forward to being part of the surf lifesaving family – including regular patrols – once I complete my assessment. I have also joined the Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving.”
