The Queensland Primary and Secondary School Life Saving Championships is back and being held on Sunday 22 May 2022, at the Sunshine Coast Grammar Aquatic Centre.
đ Sunday 22 May 2022 đ Secondary students: 8.00am đ Primary Students: 1.00pm đ˛ $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 Secondary School students will have an opportunity to compete in the
200 Individual Medley,
4 x 50m Team Survival Relay,
100m Rescue Race, and more.
The Championships are being hosted by the Sunshine Coast Grammar Pool Lifesaving Club, which is affiliated with Royal Life Saving.
The Championships are open to any school student. Entries close FRIDAY 6 MAY 2022.
Join us in celebrating the amazing contribution of women in global drowning prevention.
Featuring key leaders from drowning prevention across the world, from emergency services, lifesaving, programs, research, advocacy.
Join us to hear from leaders in different areas of drowning prevention: – learn about leadership challenges and opportunities – explore the context of #breakthebias and what it might mean for our field – discuss how can we collectively challenge or change the bias
Speakers include: ⢠Dawn Whittaker, Chief Executive of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and National Fire Chief Officer lead for water safety and drowning prevention in the UK ⢠Claire Ann V Alfonso, President, Norges Livredningsselskap (Norwegian Life Saving Society) ⢠Catherine Greaves, Chief Executive Officer, Life Saving Victoria, Australia ⢠Dr Jagnoor Jagnoor, Injury Program Lead, The George Institute for Global Health, Australia ⢠Dr Chanel Phillips, (NgÄti Hine, NgÄpuhi), University of Otago, New Zealand ⢠Dr Rebecca Sindall, Evidence Manager, RNLI, UK ⢠Dr Colleen Saunders, University of Cape Town, Life Saving South Africa
Facilitator:
Stacey Pidgeon, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Thursday 10th March 8pm NZ / 6pm AEDT / 9am SAST / 7am GMT
Ipswich City Council, in conjunction with Royal Life Saving Queensland, are happy to offer adults aged 18+ free water safety and swimming lessons in this five day learn to swim program.
Monday 14 â Friday 18 March 2022 9.30 am, 10.30 am and 11.30 am Orion Lagoon 155 Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Central
Each lesson goes for 45 minutes. By enrolling in this program, you are committing to attend all five lessons from Monday 14 â Friday 18 March, at the same time each day. In this program you will learn:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
– Lagoon orientation – Water familiarisation and basic safe entry – Breath control
– Safe entry – Balance and orientation in the water – Introduction to wetting the face, breath work and face submersion – Back floats with assistance and noodles – Introduction to kicking
– Independent safe entry – Face/head submersion and bubbles – Back floats with noodles – Front floats with assistance – Submersion demonstration – Basic kicking holding the wall/noodle
– Floats – Kicking on wall/noodle – Torpedo kicks with assistance – Arm introduction – Submersions – Lifejacket experience
– Consolidation of all skills – Practice kicks, torpedos, – submersions and basic freestyle
*Please note that this program is for Ipswich City Council residents only.
JAMES âJIMâ MCCLELLAND BM HAS BEEN RECOGNISED WITH A MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Decades of dedication to his community and lifesaving by Royal Life Saving Society â Queensland member James âJimâ McClelland BM has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2022 Honours List.
Since his initial involvement in 1971 as a member of the Ithaca-Caloundra City Life Saving Club, Mr McClelland has volunteered thousands of hours to the organisation as a lifesaver, historian and committee member.
Across his 60 years of service, his lifesaving skills have saved thousands of lives, with Mr McClelland volunteering more than 300 hours to patrols in the 2020-21 season alone.
Long-standing Royal Life Saving Queensland Board Member and President Mr Les Mole said Mr McClellandâs work has excelled across club, State and National levels.
âAs well as being an active patrolling member on the Sunshine Coast, Jim is on the State Board of Directors, and the Honours and Finance Committees for the National Association,â Mr Mole said.
To celebrate the 125th anniversary of Royal Life Saving in Australia, Mr McClelland wrote and published two history books, researching, writing, compiling and designing the books. The first titled The Bronze Medallion & Lifesaving Story (2016) and Numismatic History of the Royal Life Saving Society-Australia (2017), he provided these books free of charge to libraries and has made the books freely downloadable online.
At Commonwealth Level (RLSS-Commonwealth), Mr McClelland has been a member of the Commonwealth Heritage Working Group since the groupâs formation in 2017. In this group he uses his skills and enthusiasm for research and achieving to build on the society historical collection.
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Chief Executive Officer, Justin Scarr said Mr McClelland exemplified the spirit of life saving.
âThis honour is fitting recognition for the countless of hours of service he has given to his community,â Mr Scarr said.
âWe are delighted to see his hard work and dedication recognised formally.â
Mr McClelland has received Royal Life Saving Society Honours, with the highest at each level being:
Life Member of the Ithaca-Caloundra City Life Saving Club, Life Member of RLSS-Queensland Companion of RLSS-Australia, and Bar to Service Cross of RLSS-Commonwealth.
Royal Life Saving is offering the following courses:
CPP31218 – Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Service
CPP41319 – Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Service
The next Course is:
Course Dates:
Monday 7 – Friday 18 March 2022
This course may be completed in a quicker time frame depending on course numbers and skills and knowledge of participants. This course is subject to minimum number which will be confirmed one week before course commencement.
Course Design:
This course is designed for staff already working in a commercial aquatic centre. It is not designed to be delivered to student who have no experience in a commercial aquatic centre. This course is not contextualised for staff working in a pool shop, or for those working in the pool construction industry.
Download the course enrolment form here, complete the form and send it to us. We will contact you following receipt of the form and discuss the course with you.
View the Course Brochure (which includes the course outline) here which includes more details and information about the course.
This course complies with our Position Statement in respect to the qualifications required when operating a commercial aquatic facility. This statement is a result of the release of Queensland Healths water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities (dated December 2019). The purpose of the guideline is to reduce risk to public health and the focus is on water quality associated risks.
Worksafe Queensland has issued an alert that covers a range of issues surrounding safety at swimming pools.
We would like to remind pool operators that they should manage health and safety risks by:
Conducting an aquatic supervision risk assessment
Preparing a supervision plan
Providing trained pool lifeguards, pool supervisors and first aid officers
Ensuring young people or people with limited swimming competency such as children are accompanied by adults who need to supervise them
Ensuring children under five years of age are constantly supervised by an appropriate parent/guardian who is prepared to swim (adequate supervision means the parent/guardian must accompany the child in the water and always remain within armâs reach)
Ensuring children under ten years of age are constantly accompanied by an adult while in the aquatic area
Ensure unsupervised children under five years of age are removed from the water and placed in a safe area until collected by the parent/guardian
Ensuring an unsupervised child of poor swimming ability, regardless of age, is removed from the water by a staff member
Royal Life Saving is offering the following courses:
CPP31218 – Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Service
CPP41319 – Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Service
Course Dates:
Monday 17 – Friday 28 January 2022 This course may be completed in a quicker time frame depending on course numbers and skills and knowledge of participants. This course is subject to minimum number which will be confirmed one week before course commencement.
Download the course enrolment form here, complete the form and send it to us. We will contact you following receipt of the form and discuss the course with you.
View the Course Brochure (which includes the course outline) here which includes more details and information about the course.
With the start of Summer marking National Water Safety Day, Australiaâs political leaders and peak water safety authorities Surf Life Saving Australia, and Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, are urging Australians to make water safety awareness a priority this Summer.
In a strong show of bipartisan support, the Prime Minister of Australia the Hon. Scott Morrison and the Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, have thrown their support behind National Water Safety Day as Australians are expected to flock to the coastline, pools, rivers and lakes over summer.
In 2020, the Australian Government declared the first day of Summer, 1 December, National Water Safety Day, in a bid to encourage all Australians to make water safety a priority and in 2021 have again shone a light on the need for vigilance around the water.
Between July 2020 and June 2021, despite COVID-19 there was an increase in drowning deaths across Australia (294) with an increase of 20% on the previous year (245).
The highest number of drowning deaths occur during the months of summer with Australians making the most of the coastline, pools, rivers and lakes.
Last Summer (December â February) 101 people lost their lives due to drowning, with the summer accounting for 34% of all drowning deaths across 2020-21.
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO, Adam Weir, said with many people excited to be able to travel and enjoy what Australia has to offer across its vast coastline and beaches, it is important to be vigilant around the water.
âAustralians love the water, it is part of so many communities and family activities particularly over summer,â said Weir.
âAfter spending the greater part of the past two years restricted by COVID-19 we know that Australians will be keen to get to the beach and explore different areas, but we are asking the public to consider their safety around the water this Summer.
âWe want Australians to get out and enjoy themselves in the water and have fun but be mindful of the steps and actions they can take to keep themselves and others safe.
âSimple actions like supervising children at all times on, in and around water, swimming at a patrolled location between the red and yellow flags, avoiding alcohol and drugs while swimming and wearing a lifejacket while boating and fishing are all things that can be done to minimise the danger of drowning this summer.â
Royal Life Saving Society Australia, CEO Justin Scarr said children were at increased risk of drowning over summer and required constant supervision around swimming pools and inland waterways.
âWhen supervising children around the pool, river or lake this summer, always make sure they have your full attention and avoid distractions. Remember, kids canât help themselves around water, you need to Keep watch,â Scarr said.
“Even small amounts of alcohol can affect behaviour, swimming ability and increase the risk of drowning. We are urging Australians to make the right call and avoid alcohol around water this summer.
âSome simple actions to help make water safety a priority on National Water Safety Day include enrolling children in swimming lessons, checking the pool fence and gate, or checking the Royal Life Saving or Surf Life Saving websites for information about water safety over summer.â
Prime Minister of Australia the Hon. Scott Morrison PM said that he wants all Australians to enjoy the water safely this summer.
âOn this National Water Safety Day, I want to remind you of three things that will keep us all safe this summer.
âOne, if youâre not sober donât swim! 80 percent of all drownings are blokes and alcohol is a big contributor to that number.
âTwo, wear a lifejacket if youâre boating, rock fishing in particular or paddling.
âThirdly, swim at a patrolled beach and do so between the flags, they are there for your safety.
âNow these arenât big things but they can make all the difference. Weâve all had a long year, so letâs just really enjoy this summer but letâs do it safely. Enjoy the water, let’s stay safe, have a great summer Australia,â he said.
Minister for Sport, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, said National Water Safety Day helped reinforce an important message.
âThe sharp increase in drownings last summer was a solemn reminder of the risks we all face when we enter the water,â Minister Colbeck said.
âEach death has far-reaching consequences for the family and friends left behind. The tragic toll also serves as a reminder that we should never be complacent.
âWith a busy summer ahead â have fun and enjoy the holiday season â but stay vigilant, follow the safety advice and look out for each other.â
Key Actions and Safety Tips for Summer 2021/22:
Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags â surf lifesavers or lifeguards are there to help if you get into trouble
Wear a lifejacket if you are going boating, rock fishing, or on watercraft
Avoid alcohol and drugs while undertaking water activities
Always supervise children on, in and around water at all times
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Bruce Campbell AM MBE. Mr Campbell was a life member and past President of RLSS Queensland.
Mr Campbell was very active in both Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving movements. For many years his name has adorned a trophy presented to the âOfficial of the Meetâ at the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships. Many Royal Life Saving members will remember Mr Campbell well. His service was recognised by RLSS QLD in 2005 when he was named lifesaver of the century.
Bruce Campbell grew up in Longreach, QLD, where he learnt everything about swimming in the Thomson River. In 1948 he moved to Brisbane, and was invited by a close friend to visit their Life Saving Club – Metropolitan Caloundra. Bruce joined the club after finding the experience âinfectious” – not realising at the time the extent to which it would impact on his life, and that of many others. He described the world of lifesaving as “replete with unforgettable experiences and strong friendships and a part of my life in which I found myself associating with an army of committed volunteers at least equal to the finest in the country“.
Speaking on behalf of the RLSS QLD Board, current President Mr Les Mole said âAfter years of active service, participating in an array of society competitions – both pool and beach, seeing the progression of numerous lifesaving techniques and equipment, overseeing the society as President and so much more, Mr Bruce Campbell will be remembered as a leader and friendâ.
Mr Campbell was a great champion for rural communities in Australia. He organised Australiaâs Year of the Outback in 2002, a highly successful initiative that celebrated the community spirit of country Australians. In recognition of this lifelong contribution to so many community causes, he was made the Australian Senior of the Year in 2003.
K.M.Smith Funerals will be holding a livestream to the funeral this Saturday the 27 November 2021 commencing at 10:30am.
To view livestreaming, please click the link below:
