Welcome to the April Edition
of the
Surf Life Saving Illawarra Newsletter
Peter Evert
President
Surf Life Saving Illawarra
A message from the President
This past Sunday concluded our rostered patrols for the season, and I would like to thank our Illawarra surf lifesaving club volunteers for their time, effort, vigilance, and service to again be able to proudly say no lives lost between the red and yellow flags.
A special thank you to the families that have supported our members during the season.
As predicted public beach visitation numbers were high and this provided additional challenges for our patrols and support operations teams.
Our provisional statistics for the patrol season across our 17 clubs are:
Financial members 6792 up 4.8%, Active lifesaver 1311 down 2.25%, Juniors 2759 up 4.42%.
Preventative actions 9884
First Aids 469
Rescues 315
Over the peak holiday period (Xmas 6 weeks) our members performed 189 rescues. Our busiest days for rescues performed were Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Australia Day and the busiest day across the branch was Sunday 21st January 2024 (heatwave conditions) with 137 rescues performed.
Across the season the busiest clubs for rescues performed were Port Kembla 52, Austinmer 43, Helensburgh Stanwell Park 42, and the busiest club was Thirroul, with 64 rescues performed.
Our biggest challenge for beach safety continues to be that of our “unpatrolled beaches”, so in the off season as you continue to frequent our coastline, please continue to promote the beach safety messages, and encourage our community, and visitors, to swim between the red and yellow flags at North Wollongong Beach, (which is patrolled in the off season 7 days a week between 9am to 4pm), remember no flags, no swim.
I hope to see many of you as we acknowledge the achievements of our volunteer members at our Bluescope WIN Community Partners Surf Lifesaving Illawarra Awards of Excellence event on the 14th June 2024 (tickets available soon), and I hope that I see you all back on the beach next season.
Yours in Surf-Lifesaving!
Peter Evert
Just like that, it is the end of the lifesaving season and we have reached our last member's newsletter.
It's been another busy and exciting month in Surf Lifesaving in the Illawarra, with a number of clubs and members attending Aussies in Sunny QLD, with multiple member's competing in finals and coming away with medals.
Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB) crew and drivers courses were held, allowing members the opportunity to upskill in these areas and gain more confidence in their IRB skills.
A huge thank you to all our members for making the 23/24 season a great season. Everyone in the organisation plays a huge role in Surf Life Saving Illawarra being successful, whether you are part of the nipper's water safety team, an age manager, a patrolling member, a surf sport's competitor, an official or surf sport coach, a member of your club's executive team, part of the Illawarra branch support operations team or a member of a call out team in rescues.
Clubs are always on the lookout for more volunteers, with club executive meetings being held during the off-season, clubs will be looking for roles to help run their club, including Presidents, Deputy Presidents, Treasurers, Club Captains, Chief Training Officers, Member Services, Registrars, Social media managers, etc. If you think you can lend a hand, reach out to your club to find out more!
We look forward to welcoming you back next season. With the patrolling season commencing in September 2024 and nippers programs returning in October 2024. Remember you can join for the 24/25 season from 1 July 2024 through your clubs website or the SLS members area.
Keep reading below to learn about the fun we have had in April here at SLSI!
Albert Program held at Towradgi SLSC
On 13 and 14 April, SLSNSW facilitated the Albert Program at Towradgi SLSC. The Albert Program is for IRB crew and drivers and was developed to help further the skills of members in relation to IRBs.
Participants were involved in some theory within the clubhouse before they headed out to the beach to put their skills to the test, performing search and rescue scenarios with IRBs. Participants of the course really enjoyed their weekend and have gained even more confidence using IRBs in rescues and on patrol.
Many thanks to Towradgi SLSC for hosting the course and the trainers from SLSNSW for sharing their knowledge.
Flood Rescue Training
More training courses for flood rescue were held this month for members of our support operations teams who have opted in to assist in flood rescues if required.
This training allows Surf Life Saving Illawarra's members to assist other emergency services as needed in flood rescues. Multiple members attended in-land training at Lake Illawarra and on-water training at Penrith. The training was coordinated by SLSNSW and run by Fire and Rescue.
Wollongong City Council Lifeguard Roles
Wollongong City Council are employing Seasonal Ocean Lifeguards for the 2024/25 Season.
Lifeguard roles are a pathway for SLS members, utilising their skills and knowledge learnt in SLS in a paid capacity. A number of current lifeguards employed by Council continue to undertake SLS volunteer patrols.
More information can be found in the flyer below and the job application link can be found here; Available Jobs (t1cloud.com)
Download Beachsafe App!
Access the latest information about every Australian beach or find a beach near you including local conditions and lifesaving services. There’s also safety advice and information about flags, signs, rips, waves and more.
Surf Life Saving recommends swimming at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags.
IRBC course held at Woonona SLSC
On 13 April, Illawarra branch held a course for new IRB crew. Six members from multiple clubs were in attendance and enjoyed a great day of learning new skills.
Thanks to Phil Geary for facilitating training and Woonona SLSC for hosting.
The course members and club were also lucky enough to have a visitor, the Japanese Consulate- General, Mr Tokuda. Mr Tokuda was given a tour of the club and Woonona beach and learnt about what an important role the Surf Live Saving movement plays in the Illawarra.
Upcoming Branch Courses
First Aid
The next branch First Aid Course (HLTAID011) is being held at North Wollongong SLSC on the evening of Tuesday 7 May and Thursday 9 May. First Aid is open to current financial members who are above the age of 14.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Amy at North Wollongong SLSC on amy@nwslsc.com.au
IRB Drivers
Get ready to become a certified IRB driver!
We are excited to announce that an IRB Drivers course will be held on the weekend of the 25th/26th of May, with the remainder of the course continuing over September/October.
Spaces are limited, so if you're interested in participating and would like to receive more details, please email tcullen@surflifesaving.com.au.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your skills and contribute to the safety of our community!
Aussies in Queensland
Aussies, a national Surf Sports competition run by Surf Life Saving Australia, were held in Queensland from 13- 21 April. Multiple Illawarra clubs had members compete, including Helensburgh Stanwell Park, Coledale, Thirroul, Bulli, Towradgi, North Wollongong, Wollongong City, Port Kembla and Windang.
Congratulations to the following members who received medals in their events below;
Helensburgh Stanwell Park- Todd Andrews- 3rd Male 50-54 years Beach Flags
Coledale- Davina Strauss- 1st 40-44 Female Beach Flags, 1st 40-44 years Female Beach Sprint
Thirroul- Jeff Wall & Noel Gracie- 1st 70-74years Male Board Rescue, Jeff Wall- 2nd 20-74years Male Board Race, Geoff Pryke & Brendon Miles- 3rd 60-64years Board Rescue, Ross Taylor- 3rd 75+ Male Board Race, 3rd 75+ Male Beach Sprint, 3rd 75+ Male Beach Flags, Leyla Blue- 3rd U/15 Female Short Board Riding
Bulli- Heath Mercer, Kyle Mercer, Fraser Worthington, Dean Roberts & Sweep Shane GeLoven- 1st Open Mens Surf Boat, Darren Turner- 2nd 55-59years Male 2k Ocean Swim, Mick Locke & Darren Turner- 3rd 50-54years Male Board Rescue, Barry Lowe, Peter McLaren, David Boyle, Chris Mercer & Sweep Lincoln Costello- 3rd 260years Male Surf Boat, Aimee Turner- 3rd Female Board Riding
Wollongong City- Bella Evans, Oasis Huender, Zoe ? & Shye Beveridge- 1st U/15 Female Beach Relay, Bella Evans- 2nd U15 Female Sprint, Milton Stepanovski- 3rd 2km Beach Run, Kiah Evans- 3rd U13 Female Beach Sprint, Darcy Stepanovski- 3rd U/13 Ironman, Shannon Fox, Meghan Fox, Kate Jennett, Renee Campbell and Morgan Clarke- 3rd Open Female 5 person R&R, Stuart Mackay, Louis Whant- 3rd 45-49 Males Board Rescue, Trent Lawrence, Louise Whant & Stuart Mackay- 3rd 130years Swim team. Stuart Mackay- 3rd 35-49years Surf Race
Port Kembla- Emma Cato, Morgan Jackson, Renee Patison, Shannon Grimsey and Sweep John Patison- 3rd Open Female Surf Boat
Windang- Kaye Norris- 1st 55-59 years Female Beach Flags (Kaye also came 2nd in this event at NSW State Championships, which was missed in our last newsletter, apologies to Kaye and congratulations on both places).
Congratulations to all members and clubs who competed, it's great to see so many members from the Illawarra taking part.
We are looking for sponsors for our Interbranch Team for next season
Do you own a business or work for a business that would be interested in sponsoring a sports team?
We are looking for a sponsor for Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Interbranch Team who will be headed to Forster next season in November, to compete at the Interbranch championships.
Sponsorship of sports teams helps reduce the cost for competitors, making competition more accessible for all athletes.
Please get in touch with Ash by emailing office@slsillawarra.com.au or calling 0403 224 258 for more information.
Upcoming Surf Sports Events
Mona Vale Masters Carnival
Mona Vale SLSC are holding their first Masters carnival on Saturday 18 May.
See below for details.
BluescopeWIN Community Partners Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Awards of Excellence
The awards of excellence are fast approaching. A great night of celebrating the accomplishments of our clubs and members in the Illawarra.
The Awards are being held on Friday 14 June, 6.30-11.30pm at Wollongong City Function Centre.
Tickets include canapes, a 2 course meal and drinks.
Tickets can now be purchased at the following link; www.trybooking.com
Forms and conditions to nominate for awards are found in Circular 2318 , which has been sent to clubs via email and can also be found by logging into the SLS Members area; members.sls.com.au
Nomination for awards close at 9am Monday 20 May 2024.
Volunteers Needed- Wollongong City Council Volunteer Expo
SLSI will be holding a stall at the upcoming Volunteer Expo on Wednesday 22 May at Wollongong Town Hall run by Wollongong City Council.
We are looking for volunteers who can help on the day between 9.30-2.30.
It would be great to have a mix of volunteers who have been involved in patrolling and as part of club executive teams.
Please email Ash at office@slsillawarra.com.au if you can help.
Surf Life Saving Illawarra Nominations for Office
Are you interested in being on the SLSI board? Can you make a positive contribution to SLSI?
The Surf Life Saving Illawarra board of directors oversee and support our 17 clubs in the Illawarra and consists of eight board members. Each May, 50% of the positions on the board are up for Election. The 2024 Election calls for nominations for the positions of Deputy President, Director of Member Services, Director of Administration and Director of Lifesaving.
Nominations are now open for these positions. These roles all play an important role in ensuring Surf Life Saving Illawarra runs smoothly.
For more information about these positions and a nomination form, you can refer to Circular 2320 or email Ash at office@slsillawarra.com.au for a copy of the form and position description.
Nominations close Tuesday 7 May and the Election meeting will be held Tuesday 30 May.
NEWSLETTERS
Does your club have any news, training dates or just anything you would like to share. Send it through to the SLSI branch office and we will put it in the newsletter.
