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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-02-12 Daily Xml
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SURF LIFESAVING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Ms FOX (Bright) (17:28): I rise to speak on the matter of surf lifesaving in this state and the outstanding job that this organisation has been doing over the summer months. While we have just returned to this place after a summer hiatus, the same cannot be said of our community's volunteer surf lifesavers who have spent the summer keeping South Australian beaches safe for everyone to enjoy.

The Rann Labor government puts a significant amount of money into Surf Lifesaving South Australia. In January, minister Zollo launched four new all-terrain vehicles funded by state, federal and council bodies, and our coastline is being changed with the building of new state-of-the-art surf clubs. Premier Rann announced the funding of $18,000 to buy a new jet ski on top of the emergency services operational funding and the capital funding. In fact, since coming to office, the Rann government has provided more than $7 million to Surf Lifesaving South Australia, including $3.75 million to redevelop clubs at Christies Beach, Somerton, North Haven and Brighton.

It was the Year of the Lifesaver in 2007 and it was a very successful year. The Australian Lifesaving Academy South Australia is now operational. Membership increased for the fifth year in a row, complete gender balance has been achieved in the Nipper ranks, jet skis and all-terrain vehicles have been purchased and the Beyond the Flags program has also met with public acclaim.

I would like to mention the Brighton Jetty annual swim which was held for the third time this year on Sunday 3 February. This event was the brainchild of the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club and it has become a much loved festival in the area. This year, more than 1,000 people entered the various swims which are of 400 metres and 1500 metres respectively. I, myself—

Mr Pengilly: How far did you go?

Ms FOX: Let me tell you, member for Finniss. I swam in the women's 30 to 39 age group 400 metre swim around the jetty wearing my mother's speedos and protected—

Mr Bignell: What was she wearing?

Ms FOX: She was not in it. She was watching. I was protected from my own 'un-fitness' by a range of people paddling on boards around me. I came 18th in a group of 19 competitors, which I am quite pleased about. I am pleased because it was not last, and it is all about participation, and Surf Lifesaving South Australia promotes that view.

Special mention should also be made of the fact that this year, instead of being a purely sports-focused event, the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club also held an exhibition of sculptures in the clubhouse. They were not sand sculptures: they were actually sculptures, not that sand sculptures are not sculptures, but these were not made out of sand. This exhibition, 'Sculptures by the Sea', included the works of 34 local sculptors, and it was not only well attended but also well received. Many of the pieces were bought.

Thank you so much to all the members of the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club who made the swim and the exhibition possible. Once again, I would like personally to thank the thousands of volunteers who are involved in surf lifesaving in this state. You are doing a wonderful job.

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