Surf lifesaving clubs on the Sunshine Coast will be better equipped to keep beachgoers safe after being awarded cash for new equipment and training programs.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said that the Morrison Government was providing $9.7 million in additional funding to Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) to support surf lifesaving clubs as they protected beachgoers and improved volunteer lifesaving skills.
“As a proud patrol captain at Alexandra Head, I know how vital the work of our surf lifesaving clubs is,” he said.
“Thousands of volunteers turn out every week in Queensland, giving up hours of their time to keep beachgoers safe, and this funding is going to mean they have the best possible equipment to help them make a difference.”
This Morrison Government funding 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.
“Since my election in 2016, the Coalition Government has provided almost $100,000 in small grants to Surf Life Saving Clubs across Fisher, including funding solar panels and a new patrol trailer at Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC, security upgrades at Mooloolaba SLSC and an inflatable rescue boat for Dicky Beach SLSC.
“Now, this additional funding will ensure our local clubs will have the ability to purchase further vital equipment and medical supplies that they need to keep Australians safe on our beaches.”
Five Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSCs) in the southern and central Sunshine Coast electorate of Fisher are set to benefit from these grants, including Alexandra Headland, Dicky Beach, Kawana Waters, Metropolitan Caloundra and Mooloolaba.
Minister for Sport, Senator Richard Colbeck said the training offered by surf lifesaving 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% 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.”
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.
