SURF LIFE SAVING SA

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:34): As another summer on our glorious beaches draws to a close, I rise today to pay tribute and offer a vote of thanks to the men and women of Surf Life Saving SA. Surf Life Saving has a fascinating history and one that perhaps reflects the larrikin streak in Australian culture, because its beginnings lie in the actions of the very recalcitrant Mr William Gocher.

In 1902 Mr Gocher took to bathing at Manly beach during prohibited hours, those hours being daylight. Other renegades joined Mr Gocher and the sports of surf swimming and surfboard riding rapidly become popular. It seems that those familiar with the sport and its environment formed themselves into informal groups so as to assist novices and those who got into difficulties. By 1907 the New South Wales Surf Bathing Association had been formed, later to become Surf Life Saving Australia.

My research indicates that the first person to be rescued by a surf reel at Bondi was Charlie Smith, later to become the famous and pioneering aviator Charles Kingsford-Smith, and the rest of course is history. Surf Life Saving Australia has grown over the ensuing decades into the world renowned and professional organisation we know and depend upon today. Volunteer surf lifesavers are committed to the protection of others and to their motto 'Vigilance and Service'.

There are more than 300 surf lifesaving clubs in Australia, and in South Australia there have been clubs since 1930. They now stretch from Goolwa to Whyalla and some 8,000 volunteer members, from nippers to the aged, collaborate with paid staff to provide an emergency service of the highest calibre. It is sobering to think that some 300 people drown every year throughout Australia, with many more hospitalised as a consequence of near drowning. So many of these events are entirely preventable.

In South Australia alone, surf lifesavers carried out 219 rescues during the 2011-12 patrol season. Meanwhile, preventative actions totalled 14,557 over that season. As well, life savers dealt with hundreds of marine stings, cuts and abrasions in addition to fractures and dislocations, suspected spinal injuries and major wounds, among other emergencies. Not only do they carry out these front-line beach patrol activities as required over the summer months, but year in, year out. Members of Surf Life Saving SA, just like their interstate colleagues, have youth development, education and training responsibilities, promote best practice to clubs and government, and engage the community in safety initiatives both at the beach and in relation to water safety.

On that last matter, I understand that our South Australian organisation is presently offering the community pool safety checks, pool lifeguard and first-aid courses and emergency care courses. This is their valuable work. All those associated with the rescue and/or treatment of people in difficulties in, on and in proximity to our waters are to be saluted. I am sure our community as a whole will be glad to join in acknowledging and commending the selfless work of our surf lifesavers and in expressing appreciation for the wonderful work they do in keeping our community safe.