SurfLIFEISSUE 47 - June 2021 - Surf Life Saving NSW
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SurfLIFE
ISSUE 47 – June 2021
Flood Relief and a Major
Rescue for Lifesavers
Surf clubs and volunteers didn’t hesitate to answer the call to assist with flood
relief efforts when parts of NSW were battered by storms and rivers exceeded
the major flood levels with an intensity that had not been seen in a generation.
Over an 8-day period, Surf Life Saving › Multiple assets were tasked, › Assisted Western Sydney Area,
worked alongside other emergency including Duty Officers/Fwd Mid North Coast Port Macquarie-
services to perform evacuations and Commander, Liaison Officer Hastings Region, Lower North Coast
assist with getting critical supplies to Helicopter, all terrain vehicles,
› Strike Teams launched for out of
stranded residents. In summary: powercraft, inflatable rescue boats
area taskings from Sydney, Far
and admin support
› 49 SLS services responded North Coast, Sydney Northern
› Tasking included SES Liaison, Beaches and Central Coast clubs
› 164 volunteers responded (to both
aircraft coordination, evacuation,
operations and rescues) › Volunteers and paid staff worked
flood rescue, essential services
together (UAV Service, Australian
› SLSNSW State Operations Centre transport, re-supply and damage
Lifeguard Service and SLSNSW
(SOC) was open extended hours assessment
Clubs/Support Operations
› SOC staff increased by 30% and a › Operations were conducted from 19 volunteers)
dedicated Flood Liaison Officer was March to 27 March
rostered on
A brave rescue in extremely hazardous inside the upturned boat. Courtney and the SES volunteer
conditions that potentially saved the entered the water. “We dived under
Hearing the distress call “rescue,
lives of five people during the floods the boat a couple of times, it was pitch
rescue, rescue” over the radio, SES
in March has been awarded SLSNSW black, you couldn’t see anything. After
volunteers and the Bondi SBLSC
Rescue of the Month. the second time, I definitely thought, I
IRB crewed by Richard Nicholas and
can’t do that again,” said Courtney.
On 23 March 2021, volunteer surf Courtney Date raced to the location
lifesavers Richard Nicholas and on the river to assist. For Courtney, The pair made numerous attempts
Courtney Date from Bondi Surf his first time responding to a real-life to enter the upturned hull by diving
Bathers Life Saving Club were tasked emergency would catch him off guard. under the black water, while the boat
to the Colo River in response to the continued to be washed downstream.
“We saw the upturned boat with the
evacuation orders. Their inflatable The two adult evacuees removed their
two guys just sitting on top of it. They
rescue boat (IRB) was responding lifejackets and managed to get out
looked fine, it wasn’t until we got to
along with Marine Rescue NSW and from under the submerged boat.
them that it became a bit more serious
SES vessels.
pretty quickly,” said Courtney Date. “The father of the children was
screaming, ‘save my kids’ as I pulled
My initial thought was, I really don’t him in to the boat,” said Richard.
“Once I had them both in the boat, it
want to find five people dead today. was difficult keeping the IRB under
control, with both parents panicking.”
The rescuers eventually managed to
The weather was poor with heavy rain “To tell the truth, my initial thought reach inside the hull and pulled one of
and deteriorating visibility. The rivers was, I really don’t want to find five the trapped children out by the legs.
were in full flood with the swift water people dead today.” “It was an incredible feat by Courtney
running dangerously fast. Hazardous and Max to pull someone down under
The SES crew used their craft to try
debris including trees downed power the water, and then be able to pull
and prevent the Marine Rescue Vessel
poles and other large items such as them free of the boat,” said Richard.
being washed away with the five
cars added to the degree of difficulty
persons inside while Courtney jumped The second child was then pushed
for rescue crews.
from the IRB into the water to attempt down into the water by the remaining
At around 1pm, a Marine Rescue to rescue the trapped victims. Marine Rescue crew member trapped
NSW vessel and its crew of three were inside as Courtney pulled the child out
“I said to Courtney, mate, you’re
evacuating two adults and two small from underneath the submerged hull.
gonna have to try and get underneath
children when it became caught on He managed to swim out from under
the boat,” said Richard Nicholas.
a cable that pulled the vessel onto its the hull while the two children were
“While it’s not something you train for,
side in the swift water, quickly filling hauled into rescue boats.
we kind of both know what we had to
it with water and capsizing the boat.
do.” The success of the rescue in the
Two crew members were thrown into
the water and managed to hold onto The water was cold and moving extremely hazardous and difficult
the hull. The other crew member and quickly, visibility was low and there conditions came down to the swift,
the four evacuees remained trapped was debris all around. Despite this, decisive and courageous actions of
Courtney Date and Richard Nicholas’
ability to safely control the IRB in the
fast-moving flood waters.
“Working with the SES guys was great,
they are very organised, very strategic
in the way they work. We tend to be
more reactive, if something happens
in the water we are used to running
out and fixing it,” said Courtney.
Without Courtney and Richard’s
skills and bravery and their ability to
work together with their emergency
services counterparts, this incident
may well have resulted in multiple
fatalities.
Enjoy your Dine & Discover Vouchers at your local club. Dine & Discover NSW has been extended to 31 August 2021.
International Four NSW
Water Safety Day: Lifesavers
Babar’s Story Honoured
Congratulations to four volunteers,
recognised for their contribution
to Surf Life Saving in the Queen’s
Birthday honours list.
SLSNSW Board member Tony Waller
OAM has been recognised for his
contribution to Surf Life Saving and
the community. The decorated Fire
and Rescue Superintendent, Westpac
Life Saver Rescue Helicopter crewman
and Governor of Coogee SLSC is a
former NSW Surf Lifesaver of the Year
and has been patrolling and educating
volunteers for more than 40 years.
Fairy Meadow SLSC life member
Lawrence Bond has received an OAM
for services to Surf Life Saving after an
amazing 60 years plus on patrol.
Brian Gee OAM from The Entrance
International Water Safety Day is 15 May each year. This year SLSC has been recognised for more
Surf Life Saving NSW launched Babar’s Story to mark the than 50 years of service to Surf Life
annual day of water safety awareness. The video takes viewers Saving and rugby league.
on a coastal experience shared by many visitors to the beach.
Former president of Cooks Hill SLSC
The journey, in this case, is undertaken by a family from a
and Redhead SLSC member Peter
culturally and linguistically diverse community. Babar’s story
Kilmurray has received an OAM for
aims to teach communities that beach safety starts at home.
his contribution to Surf Life Saving.
Babar’s story is not a tragic one, instead it's a common story The long-term Board member of the
that will resonate with many of our multicultural communities. Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter
For many families who come to Australia for a better life, service has patrolled at various clubs
the coast and our amazing beaches are some of the most since joining in 1964, including
fascinating aspects of Australian life, something we encourage Wauchope Bonny Hills, Bronte, Dixon
our communities to get involved in and enjoy. Park, Shoalhaven Heads, Cooks Hill
Babar reached out to SLSNSW following an incident at Seal and Redhead.
Rocks on the lower north coast of NSW, where he struggled SLSNSW President George Shales
against the large swell. While Babar and his family enjoyed OAM congratulated the recipients and
trips to the beach almost every weekend, the family never thanked them for their service to Surf
truly considered the dangers and risks associated with the Life Saving.
ocean.
“We are extremely grateful
After Babar managed to escape the water at the unpatrolled
for the contribution these
beach, he decided that he needed to do more to protect his
family from a similar situation. Babar now understands the members have made to our
importance of planning and preparation to ensure a safe day movement over such a long
at the beach for himself and his family and has joined us to time. They are deserving of
help spread the vital message that we cannot take our safety this recognition at the highest
for granted - Beach safety starts at home.
level and it is great to see the
More videos and other multicultural resources are being community acknowledge their
developed by the SLSNSW Community Education Team. To commitment to protecting and
enquire about community education please contact the team
at educationevents@surflifesaving.com.au. saving lives.”
Surf Life Saving Clubs Receive
Funding Boost
Twenty-nine Surf Life Saving Clubs in NSW will share in › $302,406 to Redhead SLSC for
upgrades to the club’s observation
$3.5 million worth of support for facilities improvements area, radio room and first aid room.
and capital works through the Surf Club Facility Grant › $223,687 to Cabarita SLSC for
Program, announced by the NSW Treasurer Dominic upgrades to the club, including a
Perrottet and Minister for Sport Natalie Ward. new training room.
President of Surf Life Saving NSW,
George Shales OAM, said safe,
In addition, the Treasurer announced The announcement came off the back accessible and secure rescue facilities
a further $4 million in funding to of $3.5 million being awarded to 29 across the state remain a top priority
support the upgrade, restoration clubs through the 2020/21 program. for the organisation.
and construction of Surf Life Saving Grants to clubs were between $30,000
facilities as part of the 2021-22 NSW - $350,000. “Surf Life Saving Clubs are often
Budget. the hub of communities and our
“These grants will help to increase volunteer lifesavers require access to
The NSW Treasurer said the Surf Club participation across NSW by creating fit-for-purpose facilities so they can
Facility Program is vital to help keep inclusive and accessible Surf Life focus on saving lives. The funding
NSW communities active and safe. Saving facilities,” said the new Minister will allow significant upgrades to surf
for Sport, Natalie Ward. club facilities to improve access for
“The NSW Government recognises
the critical role Surf Life Saving Clubs “I congratulate all the successful our 75,000 members,” said George
play, protecting people who use our applicants in this year’s program.” Shales.
world-class beaches,” Mr Perrottet Further information about the Surf
Highlights of the 2020/21 program
said. Club Facility Program, including the
include:
“We are pleased to deliver $4 million list of recipients visit: https://sport.
› $300,689 to Warriewood SLSC for nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/SCFP
of funding in the NSW Budget to
resurfacing works and redirection of
ensure NSW Surf Life Saving facilities Watch the announcement of funding
public walkway and beach access.
are fit-for-purpose and clubs can here https://youtu.be/hk9EVkalhdc
continue to keep people safe.”
DID YOU
KNOW...
SLSNSW donated saved 247,822
170,152 containers litres of water during
and also... the 2020/21 season
Find out where
you can donate
your eligible
containers
Registered clubs recognised for
contributions to communities
Proud partner of Surf Life Saving NSW, ClubsNSW celebrated “Our partnership with Elouera is one of
the longest running in Tradies history
the contributions of registered clubs from across the state in and the effort their volunteers put into
May at the 2021 Clubs & Community Awards. the Surf Awareness Clinic each year is
truly phenomenal,” said Jason.
After overcoming the toughest 18 “We are extremely grateful to Elouera Elouera SLSC President David Kowald
months in the history of registered SLSC for nominating us in this nominated Tradies as a show of
clubs, winners and finalists were category for our support of Elouera appreciation for their support and
acknowledged for the support and the Surf Awareness Clinic over was pleased to enrich the partnership
that they provide to their local the past 24 years. There are a lot of between the two organisations.
communities across nine categories. registered clubs in NSW doing great
The first award of the evening, things in their communities and we’re “To be able to give something significant
Fostering Grassroots Sport, which very proud to have been recognised like this back to our major sponsor really
recognises the encouragement of for our contribution.” helps strengthen the relationship”.
sport within the community was Along the coast of NSW, registered
Since 1982, the Surf Awareness Clinic
awarded to The Sutherland District clubs provide invaluable support to
week-long program has educated
Trade Union Club (Tradies) for their numerous Surf Life Saving Clubs.
children 7-12 years old in surf safety
support of Elouera SLSC through the
including identifying rips, currents ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said that
Surf Awareness Clinic.
and swell types, and basic skills for despite the challenges faced over recent
Tradies General Manger, Jason CPR, first aid and sun safety. Each times, registered clubs never stopped
McMaster said they were proud to year, more than 100 Elouera SLSC supporting worthy causes in their
be recognised in amongst the strong lifesavers join Tradies directors communities.
mix of registered Clubs in NSW who and volunteer their time to run the
“Clubs have continued to go above and
all work to do good in their local program which has trained more than
beyond to support their members and
communities. 11,000 participants.
the wider community.”
RESCUES UP
as NSW lifesavers lower the flags
Sunday 25 April marked the final
day of volunteer patrols for 2020/21
season for NSW surf lifesavers.
Data has revealed that volunteer
lifesavers and lifeguards from
the Australian Lifeguard Service
performed 3,750 rescues since the
season began in September 2020.
That is 564 more rescues than the
previous season, despite COVID-19
lockdowns.
Emergency callouts for critical
incidents state-wide were also up by
177 on the previous season to 776.
In total, volunteer surf lifesavers
contributed more than 671,234 hours
on patrol during the season.
This year has also seen an increase in
the qualification of new lifesavers. Last
year saw 22,343 lifesavers complete
their annual theory skills maintenance
proficiencies online, in comparison to Beyond the beaches the Surf Life "This year our members have
12,374 the previous season. Saving NSW Support Operations exemplified what it means to be
teams are activated for critical an emergency service as they
The absence of our iconic red incidents and include highly skilled were called to move outside of our
and yellow flags and lifesavers on duty officers, IRBs, offshore rescue traditional red and yellow flags. Their
the beaches doesn't mean our boats, RWC (jetskis) and drones which response, teamwork and support
volunteers clock off. Between April work with club callout teams, the were incredible. Despite another
and September last year, our teams SLSNSW Support Operations Centre somewhat disrupted season they
responded to 183 incidents. and other emergency services. stood up and continued to uphold our
Not only do lifesavers keep the beach- tradition of keeping people safe and
SLSNSW Director of Lifesaving
going public safe on the weekends, assisting when required. Their value
Joel Wiseman said he couldn't be
but each of the 129 clubs also has in as individuals and clubs within our
more proud of the membership this
place an out-of-hours callout team communities is indisputable," said
season after another testing year
which responds to incidents and Wiseman.
and stepping up to assist when their
plays an integral role in assisting other communities needed them no matter
emergency services. what.
776 3,750 671,234
Emergency Callouts Rescues Volunteer Hours
School Drone Program
Targets Girls In Science
Surf Life Saving NSW’s Australian UAV Service (AUAVS) in “When it’s accessible across the
country, many more people, especially
partnership with She Maps has launched a drone program for females will have the opportunity to
school students in Years 5-9 in NSW and the ACT, with a focus understand how important drones
on getting more girls involved in engineering and technology. and technology can be and how they
play a part in the workforce and our
The 2.5 hour program covers the She fantastic,” said Dr Joyce. “The Surf future.”
Maps Classroom Drone Essentials Life Saving brand is synonymous The Surf Life Saving NSW Australian
Course, highlighting STEM (Science, with caring for our community and UAV Service is the provider of the
Technology, Engineering and Math) innovation, so we couldn’t be prouder largest coastal drone surveillance
opportunities to school students and to be taking this journey with the program in the Southern Hemisphere.
showing them how drone technology team,” she said. More than 500 experienced pilots
can be utilised to support problem have the capability to operate drones
SLSNSW UAV pilot Yasmin Zaman is
solving, digital storytelling and across NSW as well as nationally and
studying engineering at University
technological development. The internationally.
and has taken up the opportunity to
program also addresses challenging
become a course presenter and talk to Each season the service provides
social issues such as unconscious bias,
kids about her passion for STEM. surveillance at over 60 coastal
particularly toward females in STEM.
“Working with these kids has been locations for beach surveillance and
Surf Life Saving NSW UAV educators shark management as part of the NSW
incredible and it’s exciting being part
deliver the program on-site during Government’s Shark Management
of this program rollout and still being
school hours which covers not only Strategy as well as for event safety
part of on-beach drone work,” she
the opportunities available to students purposes.
said. “At university, I’m only one of a
within Surf Life Saving such as beach
few women in engineering and that’s
surveillance, shark management and
why I love the idea of this program and
event safety but also off the beach
its aim to help drive the numbers up.
uses in mapping, 3D modelling and
surveying.
The program gives students real-
world experience using state-of-the-
art technology. In the session they
become geospatial scientists where
they explore applications of drone
technology through the safety of
microdrones.
They explore hands-on applications
of drone technology, learn about
drone safety and how to use coding
to automate missions and have the
chance to manually fly drones under
the supervision of professional pilots.
She Maps Co-Founder and Education
Director Dr Karen Joyce said she was
excited about the impact the program
would have in schools with the Surf
Life Saving NSW Australian UAV
Service partnership.
“To be able to partner with Surf Life
Saving to scale our impact into more
schools across NSW and the ACT isMUM’S
When Naida and Skip took on “I would tell them, it’s ok to tell us
managing the club’s Nippers program you’re scared or you’re not sure.
almost 10 years ago, there were We’re here to support you. We don’t
THE
no competitors other than the IRB expect you to go and do a rescue on
racing team. Within two years, there a 100-kilogram man, but we need
were almost 50 Nippers training and people to call the ambulance, and we
WORD
regularly competing, and at least need someone to operate the radio
10 women who were competing at and we need someone to watch the
Branch carnivals. flags,” she said.
on patrol “When we took up IRB racing we
met all these people, and I’m a big
advocate for women being able to
do just about anything. Both Skip
Naida is now working with the South
Coast Branch to help develop a
support program to encourage and
retain women in leadership positions.
and I began pushing for everyone
Naida and Skip’s daughter, 14 year-
A small south coast surf club believes to get their awards and just have a
old Macey, started Nippers in U6s and
it may have something no other crack,” said Naida. “I’d got so much
completed her Surf Rescue Certificate
club has - five mother and daughter out of Surf Life Saving through my
last season. While surf competition
combinations on the same patrol. competition and just stuff where I
was her main sport, Macey and her
didn’t think I’d ever be able to achieve
Over the last few seasons the Kiama older sister both now play a number
things, and I did.”
Downs SLSC mums have inspired of other sports, along with helping on
each other to train as lifesavers and The club now boasts the most patrol and with Nippers water safety
get their Bronze Medallions and they women ever and the most mums and at the club.
are now inspiring a new generation in daughters who are patrolling. Two
“I think it’s very impressive how much
their daughters who have their Surf years ago the club had the biggest
mum has achieved. She’s a big role
Rescue Certificates and patrolled this group of girls who had ever gone all
model for a lot of people, and not just
season. the way through from U6s to U14s,
kids, adults too. I know a lot of people
with seven going on to patrol.
Naida Guy is the wife of Patrol in our patrol look up to her for lots of
Captain Steven (Skip) Guy and she “It wasn’t a conscious effort from me things,” said Macey.
led the charge in encouraging more to say ‘I want to have a patrol just with
“She stuck with it and she’s very
women to take up lifesaving and surf women’, it just happened that we
strong. She’s made our club so much
competition at the club. Along with had built an environment where we
better.”
her Australian gold medals in IRB encouraged and supported women
(Inflatable Rescue Boat) racing, Naida and it happened organically,” said Patrol 5 Kiama Downs - Mothers
is a life member of Kiama Downs Naida. and Daughters
and was involved in two major mass Naida and Skip say that encouraging Naida and Macey Guy, Sally and Lilly
rescues this season as IRB driver, more women to train as lifesavers was Gazzard, Cath and Ivy Gross-Jones,
alongside some of the other women not always easy but that there is a role Amanda and Emma Trudget, Dawn and
on her patrol. for everybody. Amelia Weatherlake. Also Melissa and
Lucy Thompson and Aimee, Maddie and
Ada Heald (currently Nipper members).Shop online
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Our Mission Surf Life Saving NSW wishes to thank the following
To save lives, create great Australians and sponsors and supporters for helping our volunteers
build better communities.
save lives on the beaches each year.
Summary
Surf Life Saving NSW is the state’s major
water safety and rescue organisation,
and with over 76,000 members, is one
of the largest volunteer movements in
Australia.
The primary role of Surf Life Saving NSW
is to save lives on our beaches, while
other activities include developing our
members through education, leadership
and surf sports programs.
There are 129 surf clubs and 11 branches
in the state which are affiliated with Surf
Life Saving NSW, stretching from Fingal National Partners
Rovers SLSC near Tweed Heads, to
Pambula SLSC on the Far South Coast.
Contact Us
For contributions or suggestions for
SurfLIFE please contact SLSNSW Media
on 02 9471 8000 or
media@surflifesaving.com.au
SLSNSW endeavours to ensure all information contained in SurfLIFE is correct and true, however
accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or mistakes contained in the publication.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales
T +61 2 9471 8000 | E info@surflifesaving.com.au
3 Narabang Way Belrose NSW 2085 | PO Box 307 Belrose NSW 2085 Australia
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