The Queensland School pool Life Saving Championships are back and being held on Sunday 31st May 2026, at the Sunshine Coast Grammar Aquatic Centre.

📅 Sunday 31st May 2026
🕑 Secondary Students: 8:00am (Warm Up), 8:30am (Start)
Primary Students: 1:00pm (Warm Up), 1:30pm (Start)
💲 $10 per competitor (unlimited number of events)

The event allows schools that undertake programs such as Swim and Survive to give students a sporting alternative.

The Championship for the Primary School students will include age-appropriate swim racing and rescue events, such as the

• 8m Line Throw
• 50m Rescue Race
• 100m Individual Life Saving Race and more

The Championship for the Secondary School students will include events such as the:

• 10m Line Throw
• 100m Rescue Race
• 200m Individual Life Saving Race and more.

The Championships are being hosted by the Sunshine Coast Grammar School,
372 Mons Road, Forest Glen QLD 4556

The Championships are open to any school student. Entries close MONDAY 26 MAY 2026

GIVE POOL LIFESAVING A GO!

Royal Life Saving Society Queensland is proud to announce that two of our members have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of their outstanding service and dedication to life saving (water safety and drowning prevention).

This prestigious national honour reflects their long-standing commitment, leadership, and tireless contribution to saving lives and strengthening aquatic safety across Queensland and Australia. We congratulate both recipients on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for their exceptional service to our organisation and the community.

Mrs Lynda Barry OAM

Mrs Lynda Barry has rendered outstanding service to lifesaving and community safety through more than 37 years of dedicated volunteer leadership, training, administration and operational service.

An active member of the Ithaca–Caloundra City Life Saving Club since 1989, Ms Barry continues to serve as a patrolling lifesaver. Throughout her service she has held numerous senior volunteer roles including Club Captain (2005–present), Deputy President, Club Secretary, Membership Officer, Information Protection Officer and Fundraiser. She was awarded Life Membership in 2009.

A passionate advocate for junior lifesaving, Mrs Barry has served continuously since 2002 as Junior Lifeguard Administrator and Coach, overseeing training programs, child safety compliance and volunteer development. She has also been instrumental in modernising club governance systems through the introduction of electronic forms, payment platforms and policy frameworks.

Mrs Barry is an accredited First Aid and CPR Trainer, a Grey Medallion Program trainer, and has represented Australia through her involvement in World Life Saving Championships as both competitor and team manager.

As at June 2025, Mrs Barry has logged more than 5,800 volunteer patrol hours and remains an active operational member.

Beyond the club, she is a founding member and Treasurer of Life Saving Support Services Inc, helping establish a strong foundation fund that provides grants and financial assistance to volunteer lifesavers.

Her extensive service with Royal Life Saving Society Queensland and Australia includes roles as State Sports Committee Member, Volunteer Trainer and Assessor, State Team Manager at National Championships, Sport Official, international assistant trainer, and Chief Organiser and Referee of Royal Life Saving Queensland beach carnivals for more than two decades. She also holds national accreditation as an Official.

Mrs Barry’s service has previously been recognised through the National Medal, Fellowship and Companion honours with Royal Life Saving Society Australia, multiple Service Crosses and Bars, and induction into the Mark McArdle MP Community Hall of Fame.

Mrs Patricia Barry OAM

Mrs Patricia Barry has been a cornerstone of the Ithaca–Caloundra City Life Saving Club since joining in 1982, contributing more than four decades of exceptional volunteer service, leadership and community engagement.

Beginning as a club chaperone, she has gone on to serve in numerous vital roles including Honorary Secretary (since 2008), Public Relations Officer (since 2012) and Principal Fundraiser (since 2008). She was awarded Life Membership in 2010 and continues to actively patrol Bulcock Beach.

As at May 2025, Mrs Barry has contributed over 4,300 volunteer beach patrol hours, with service continuing.

Her impact extends strongly into education and community safety through her work with Royal Life Saving Society Queensland as a Community Trainer, delivering Water Safety, CPR, First Aid and Grey Medallion programs. Since 2021, she has coordinated the beach training component of the Sunshine Coast Multicultural Program, supporting culturally diverse communities to gain essential lifesaving skills.

Mrs Barry is also a founding member and long-serving Secretary of Life Saving Support Services Inc, strengthening volunteer support and operational capability across the sector.

Her broader community contribution includes long-standing service with U3A Sunshine Coast, where she has volunteered as a French language tutor since 2008, a First Aid tutor, and was awarded Life Membership in 2022. She has also supported international cultural exchange through the Friendship Force of the Sunshine Coast, serving in ambassadorial, translation and coordination roles.

Professionally, Mrs Barry devoted over 20 years to education, including 24 years at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, where she served as a Secondary Teacher, Head of Languages and Teaching Practicum Coordinator.

Her service has been recognised through multiple Royal Life Saving awards, including Service Cross and Service Medal Bars, Fellowship of Royal Life Saving Society Australia, and the Bronze Medallion.

We are delighted to share the prestigious award that the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) has bestowed on Dr Shayne Baker OAM at the recently concluded World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2025 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

The International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) Board of Directors has also bestowed a very prestigious international award on Dr. Baker in recognition of the outstanding voluntary contribution he has made to the drowning prevention and research effort worldwide. This is a recognition of the many years he has devoted to improving the knowledge and skills of lifesavers throughout Australia and the Commonwealth.

Dr Baker is currently, and has been a member of, the ILS Rescue Commission, in addition to his contributions to the Royal Life Saving Society and  World Health Organisation Public Health Programs in the efforts to avoid drownings, and in Australia, Director of Research at Yellow Dove Australia, with the Research Panel at Surf Lifesaving Queensland (SLSQ), a Peer Support Officer.

 His influence has extended internationally, helping to develop a standard in flood rescue, educational water safety, and the well-being of aquatic professionals.

A special presentation has been made by the President of the ILS, Graham Ford AM, and the ILS Secretary General in Sharm El Sheikh, Dr Harald Vervaecke, although the formal occasion will occur at the Australian Lifesaving Championships in April 2026.We congratulate Dr Shayne Baker OAM on this truly significant award and thank him for his commitment to improving water safety and drowning prevention in Australia and around the world.

Queensland’s leading aquatic organisations have joined forces to address workforce shortages and build a stronger, more sustainable industry through the Queensland Aquatic Workforce Attraction and Retention Program.

Led by the Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance (AQIA) in collaboration with AUSTSWIM, Royal Life Saving Society Queensland (RLSSQ) and SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SWIM), the Aqua Jobs initiative is supported by the Queensland Government’s Department of Trade, Employment and Training under the Growing Workforce Participation Fund.

The program aims to help swim schools attract, train, and retain Queenslanders for key roles across the aquatic sector, including swim teachers, Lifeguards, coaches, swim school managers, pool operators, aquatic technical operators, and customer service team members. It provides clear pathways for 150 jobseekers and professional development opportunities for 75 existing employees, ensuring long-term workforce participation and retention.

Brad Maunsell, CEO AUSTSWIM, said the partnership represents a milestone in workforce collaboration:

“Together, we are building a stronger, more connected, and sustainable workforce that will ensure quality swimming and water safety education across Queensland.”

Paul Barry, Executive Director RLSSQ, added:

“This partnership isn’t just about filling roles; it’s about building a sustainable workforce and ensuring every Queenslander has access to quality aquatic education.”

Brendon Ward, CEO SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia, said the initiative will drive systemic change:

“By uniting our expertise, we can deliver a coordinated and sustainable approach to workforce attraction, development and retention across the state.”

The collaboration aligns with Royal Life Saving Society Australia’s 2025 National Aquatic Industry Workforce Reports, which call for stronger retention, professional development, and diversity in the aquatic industry.

Queenslanders looking to grow or start a career in the aquatic industry – whether you’re an aspiring swim teacher, Lifeguard, coach, or part of the existing workforce can explore opportunities and register their interest at aquajobsqld.com.au

Media contact:
Victoria Clark
Phone: 0408 835 341
Email: victoria@swim.org.au

Royal Life Saving releases it’s annual report for the financial year (June 2025). The society continued to provide increased services to the Queensland community, with significantly increased activity in community programs, training and other activity.

Society President, Ms Nicky Sloan said “This year has been one of consolidation and strategic renewal. The Board has been firmly focused on ensuring the Society is well governed, financially sustainable, and
strategically positioned for the future. The adoption of our new Strategic Framework has been a significant milestone, giving clear direction for our mission while reinforcing our commitment to drowning prevention and community safety and wellbeing.”

A huge thank you to SET – Specialised Engineering Technologies for signing on as our Drinks Sponsor for our 120 Year Celebration on Thursday 23 October 2025!

SET proudly delivers the AngelEye AI Drowning Detection System, a world-leading aquatic safety solution trusted across 30+ countries and ISO 20380 compliant.

What sets AngelEye apart?

A fully closed network system with all processing and data storage powered by an on-site local server. That means:

No reliance on the cloud
Faster, more reliable alerts
Maximum data privacy & security
Full facility control over footage and access

By combining cutting-edge technology with a strong focus on safety and security, SET is helping make aquatic centres smarter, safer, and more secure.

Learn more about SET & AngelEye here:

• https://set.services/ai-drowning-detection-systems-angeleye-lifeguard/
• https://set.services/angeleye-safeguard/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/set-specialised-engineering-technologies/

#AquaticSafety#DrowningDetection#SETtingTheStandard#AngelEye#LocalServer#120yearsOfLifesaving

In 2025, Royal Life Saving Society Queensland proudly marks 120 years of service to the Queensland community – a legacy built on water safety, lifesaving training, and the collective effort of people and organisations like yourself.

To celebrate this remarkable milestone, we warmly invite you to join us at our 120-Year Celebration Reception.

Date: Thursday 23 October 2025
Tickets: $95 per person| $900 per table of 10

This evening will bring together key stakeholders, partners, Government, community leaders, staff, volunteers, and supporters to reflect on 120 years of water safety throughout Queensland and Royal Life Saving Queensland’s journey and its ongoing impact in water safety and drowning prevention across Queensland.

We also invite you to help shape the event by contributing to our 120 Years of Impact Campaign:

• Share your personal story, photo, or water safety memory
• Submit historical memorabilia, medallions, or newspaper clippings
• Nominate a lifesaving legend or local advocate for recognition

Please send any contributions to aquaticservices@rlssq.com.au by Tuesday 30 September 2025.

Purchase your ticket here: www.trybooking.com/DEHHX

Early bookings are encouraged as seating is limited.

We look forward to celebrating with you.

Tomorrow we will release the National Drowning Report 2025, which shows the impact of drowning across Australia.

But behind these numbers are people, families and communities forever changed:
• Those who have lost a loved one to drowning
• Those living with the consequences of non-fatal drowning
• First responders who undertake rescues and attempted rescues

As we prepare to release this report, our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by drowning.

Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia seek to honour their memory by working to eliminate drowning and empowering communities to be safe around water.

To learn more about the National Drowning Report, visit: 

 What You Need to Know!

From 1 October 2025, all Queensland organisations that provide services or facilities to children — including public and private aquatic venues — will need to comply with the new Child Safe Organisations Act 2024.

This new legislation, overseen by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC), introduces 10 Child Safe Standards and a Universal Principle focused on respecting and supporting cultural safety. These must be embedded in your facility’s policies, procedures, and daily operations.

Why This Matters for Aquatic Centres

Pools and aquatic centres are high-use spaces that welcome large numbers of children every day for swimming lessons, sport, recreation, and play. With multiple activity areas and diverse community users, these facilities have a heightened responsibility to keep children physically and emotionally safe.

The new Standards aim to:

• Strengthen leadership and culture around child safety
• Ensure physical environments are low-risk and child-friendly
• Provide clear guidance for handling complaints and incidents
• Support staff with the right policies, procedures, and training

Support for the Sector

The QFCC is providing practical support to help facilities prepare, including:

• A self-assessment tool (Find this here: https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/childsafe/resources)
• Sector-specific guidance 
• A phased rollout that begins with education before enforcement

What You Can Do Now

✔️ Download the QFCC Child Safe Guidelines & Self-Assessment Tool
✔️ Review your child safety policies and update them – the GSPO Child Safety Guidelines are a great benchmark
✔️ Train your staff – start with the Royal Life Saving Child Safeguarding in Aquatic Facilities module
✔️ Begin embedding the Standards into your everyday operations

This is more than just meeting legal requirements — it’s about creating safer, more trusted spaces for children and families across Queensland.