Royal Life Saving Society – Australia is proud to launch its first Reconciliation Action Plan, taking the challenge to learn, listen and commit to reconciliation with our First Nations people.
It is hoped that this journey will influence our staff, volunteers, member organisations and partners to make positive contributions to reconciliation in their communities across Australia.
We aspire to ensure that children have access to swimming pools and swimming lessons. That youth learn lifesaving skills, and we provide opportunities to viable careers both in aquatics and those leadership lessons into other jobs and other elements of life.
We aspire to harness the transformative power of the local pool as a venue for social cohesion, for community connections and for health benefits that extend beyond childhood and across all life stages.
The rivers, lakes, pools billabongs and dams in Australia bring life to communities. They are places for play, social connection, and recreation. They can also be spaces of danger and tragedy.
We note the long-term lifesaving skills of coastal and freshwater nations. Those skills helped to keep communities safe in seasons of floods and cyclones.
Our ambition is to continue partnerships that actively engage and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to access, design, participate in, and lead water safety programs for safety, fun and employment.
As part of our Reconciliation Action Plan, Royal Life Saving is committed to the principles of relationships, respect, and opportunities. We celebrate the resilience, survival, wisdom, deep connection to water and land that continues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities.
Royal Life Saving thanks Reconciliation Australia, Murawin Consultants and Sahba Delshad for guiding us through this process.
ON JULY 25, PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD WILL MARK THE SECOND WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY
In April 2021, the United Nations adopted the historic first Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention, recognising the scale of the problem and calling for coordinated action to prevent drowning.
Drowning is an issue that affects every nation of the world. Globally, an estimated 235,600 people lost their lives to drowning in 2019.
In Australia hundreds of families lose loved ones to drowning every year.
Eighty percent of those who drown are male.
DROWNING IS INEQUITABLE
Drowning has been the cause of over 2.5 million preventable deaths in the last decade. It is a significant international issue that to date has been largely unrecognised relative to its impact.
More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.
Drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children and young people aged 1-24 years in every region of the world.
WE ARE ASKING ORGANISATIONS ACROSS QUEENSLAND TO HELP PROMOTE WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY
SCHOOLS
We would absolutely love and appreciate your support in promoting this important message by holding a free dress day – encouraging students to wear blue, along with a gold coin donation.
The school that raises the most money in their region will receive our Royal Rescuers program for free!
Our Royal Rescuers 1 hour Water Safety Education Program is a water safety and CPR awareness skills and knowledge program for school students (prep – year 8), aiming to provide the skills and knowledge for staying safe in and around the water, how to offer assistance and CPR awareness.
All schools that participate will receive a certificate of thanks, along with an explanation of how the money will be used to prevent drowning in Queensland. This will also be awarded in conjunction with other RLSSQ gifts of thanks.
We are also putting our ‘Rescue’ Challenge forward to schools. This challenge will encourage students to undertake and film their best rescues (reach, throw, tow). Get creative!
All donations will go towards providing further programs and initiatives of Royal Life Saving Queensland to support our vision of a state free from drowning.
AQUATIC FACILITIES
There have been a range of online marketing resources for industry to promote across their own communication channels and to display at their facility here. This content includes: Website, Social Media and Video Content.
Additionally, we are asking industry to help further promote this message by asking swim school participants to attend their swimming lessons in blue, and by tagging us in their best rescues (reach, throw, tow) videos for our ‘Rescue Challenge’.
RLSSQ RESCUE CHALLENGE
The #RLSSQRescueChallenge calls for participants to undertake and film their best water or land-based rescues. This could include; Talk, Reach, Throw or Tow Rescues.
REACHTHROWTOW
We can’t wait to see your skills – get creative!
*Please note that safety should be considered at all times.
Be sure to tag #DrowningPrevention, #WorldDrowningPrevention Day and @RoyalLifeSavingSocietyQueensland and @RoyalLifeSaving in your social media posts.
Register here to take part in our World Drowning Day Prevention Activities:
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On Tuesday morning, Ithaca-Caloundra City Life Saving Club played host to the Royal Life Saving Society Queensland and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Service Agreement Launch.
Over the course of the morning, we were joined by a few students from STEPS Pathways College who helped demonstrate their newfound water safety skills gained from our Water STAARS pilot program held back in April this year. The activities included rescue tube relays and rescue tube rescues.
The five-week pilot program was designed to help people with a disability enjoy Queensland waterways safely by equipping them with essential information and safety skills.
The pilot program proved such a success that a 12-week water safety course will now be integrated in the college from term 4 onwards.
The celebrated agreement will fund critical training activities including Bronze Medallion, Swim Teacher Courses and water safety programs, and will help more than 350 volunteers to save lives in Queensland over the next two years.
As well as coastal locations at Airlie Beach, Ithaca-Caloundra and the Neptune Life Saving Club, the funding will support new community swimming programs and training at places such as Boulia and Winton in the Central West and Thursday Island.
We would like to thank QFES Commissioner Mr Greg Leach, Acting Deputy Commissioner Stephen Smith and Mr Jason Hunt MP Member for Caloundra for joining us to celebrate such a successful partnership.
We are very grateful to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services for their support of us, so we can continue delivering nationally recognised programs to Queenslanders.
The National Water Safety Summit 2022 will bring together people from across all areas of the water safety sector to reflect on progress and explore opportunities to strengthen alignment to the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 (AWSS).
This two-day National Summit will focus on:
Energising the water safety sector across Australia after a challenging 2 years
Connecting, collaborating, and sharing ideas among water safety researchers, policy makers and practitioners
Driving the implementation of the AWSS 2030 and key activities towards achieving the goal of a 50% reduction in drowning
Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving are proudly supporting this event on behalf of the Australian Water Safety Council. We expect many friends and colleagues to contribute to the program and help make this event reinforcing of a collaborative approach to reducing drowning in Australia.
This event forms part of Australian plans to commemorate the 2nd UN declared World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July 2022. This year WHO is encouraging individuals, groups, and governments to do one thing to prevent drowning.
EVENT DETAILS
The National Water Safety Summit 2022 will be held on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th August 2022 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. A networking social function is scheduled for the end of day one (Thursday).
Each day will include:
Plenary sessions with keynote speakers
Short presentations designed to stimulate your thinking
Interactive workshopping and discussions
The following topics from the Australian Water Safety Strategy will be covered over the two-days:
Includes registration for Thursday 4th (including social function) and Friday 5th August 2022.
Single Day Registration
$300
Single day only – Thursday 4th or Friday 5th August 2022
Student Two Day Registration
$250
Proof of Student ID (full time) required
Student Single Day
$200
Single day only – indicate day 1 or day 2 during the registration process
All rates quoted include GST and are in Australian dollars.
Registration includes:
All morning and afternoon teas and lunches during the program
Free WiFi access throughout the venue
A ticket to the networking social function on Day 1 – Thursday 4th August 2022 (RSVP is required for catering purposes and can be provided during the registration process)
Access to recordings after the event
Certificate of participation (if required)
Cancellation Policy
Substitution:
If your circumstances change and you can no longer attend the event, you are welcome to nominate a substitute to attend at no additional cost by Friday 28th July 2022.
Cancellation:
You are entitled to a refund if the cancellation is received on or before Friday 15th July 2022.
However, refunds will be processed with a A$50 service charge applied per person of cancellation.
Cancellations received after Friday 15th July 2022 are not eligible for refunds.
Any cancellation or substitution requests should be made in writing and directed to info@rlssa.org.au
On 20 and 21 June 2022, Royal Life Saving attended the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Over the two day period, staff were joined by over 120 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages.
We released our Aquatic Industry Job Guide at the expo giving school students information to be able to make informed decision about a career in the aquatic industry. We were approached by many industry organisations, school students and job seekers, in which we provided an array of materials outlining our courses and career progression opportunities, as well as explaining options for individuals that worked with their goals in the future.
As the peak body for drowning prevention, we played a game with all willing participants (via a video), to spot a drowning casualty before the lifeguard jumps in to rescue them by placing their hands on their head. If they did it correctly, they won a highly sought after duck.
We look forward to attending the next expo, and providing further information on our courses and training and career pathway opportunities for those interested in working in the Aquatic Industry!
Wanting to make a difference in the world of Swimming and Water Safety?
A PhD Scholarship opportunity is available now with Deakin University – Health and Royal Life Saving Society – Australia to initiate and conduct research on ‘Reducing drowning: understanding factors which contribute to risk and targeting those at risk’. Find out more about this PhD opportunity and how to apply by visiting: http://bit.ly/3NaPjXj
Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed
Benefits
This scholarship is available over 3 years.
Stipend of $28,900 per annum tax exempt (2022 rate)
International students only: Tuition fees offset for the duration of 4 years. Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible you must:
be either a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
meet Deakin’s PhD entry requirements
be enrolling full time and hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master’s degree with a substantial research component.
Royal Life Saving expects to have a number of position available in the coming months and we would like to let people who may be interested know of upcoming opportunities. These roles are:
Lifeguard / Facility Supervisor
Facility Manager
These roles may be available in multiple locations.
These roles are hands on roles (not office based) and will require the person to work most weekends and public holidays in summer. These roles ideally suite someone who has worked in a small aquatic centre, such as a regional or remote pool. We are looking at a start date of around August, however may be able to bring this forward for the right applicant. Training may be available for an applicant that has suitable attitude and experience but does not sufficient qualifications.
On Friday 6 May 2022, members of Royal Life Saving joined a group of like-minded individuals committed to drowning prevention for a Water Safety Round Table discussion at James Cook University, Townsville.
The event brought together a diverse and knowledgeable group of stakeholders and practitioners from local and state government, aquatic facilities, lifesavers, safety advocates, swimming peak associations, emergency services, rescue associations, medical providers, regulatory bodies and peak authorities.
Multiple presentations and workshops were held, touching on multiple topics that included:
Water Safety Shared Values
Introduction to Drowning and Prevention
Community Perspectives on Local Drowning Issues
Working Towards and Local Water Safety Strategy
Exploring Community Priority Areas for Local Water Safety- and more!
We thank all guests for committing their time to reducing drownings in their local communities. Stay tuned for future Water Safety Round Table discussions!
We would like to thank partner agencies involved in this round table including:
In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II 2022 Platinum Jubilee, Royal Life Saving Queensland will be hosting a Picnic in the Park Fundraiser at The Plantation Aquatic Centre, Gumdale.
Royal Life Saving Queensland is a not-for-profit organisation focused on reducing drowning and promoting healthy, active and skilled communities through innovative, reliable, evidence based advocacy; strong and effective partnerships and quality programs, products and services.
There will be an array of exciting activities taking place over the course of the event, these will include: – A Royal Raffle – there will be a variety of prizes and prize packs up for grabs, with prizes donated from our incredible sponsors > Tickets will be 1 for $2, 3 for $5, 7 for $10 and 16 for $20 – we will be selling these during the week leading up to the event and on the day. – Best Tiara/Crown making competition – with an exciting prize up for grabs! – An array of ‘English Games’ taking place, such as Tug-o-War, Badminton and Croquet – Trivia – for all of the royalists – An assortment of cakes and sweets for sale
Please bring your own picnic blankets/pillows and any snacks you may want. Our Kiosk will also be open, selling hot chips, cold drinks and more. Additionally, we will have BBQ’s available for use!
Entrants are not restricted or limited to the number of raffle tickets which may be purchased.
Raffle ticket sales will commence on 16 May 2022 and conclude on 4 June 2022 at 1.00pm AEST
Entrants will need to be present at the event on 4 June 2022 to claim a prize.
Raffle Prize winners will be drawn and announced over our PA system on the day (4 June 2022 at approximately 1.30pm). Each prize winner will have 5 minutes to collect their prize.
If a prize winner fails to collect their prize within 5 minutes, the prize may be re-drawn at our option.
Judges decision are final, in particular in respect to the procedures for drawing of prizes and selecting winners.
Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash.
Royal Life Saving Queensland shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or sustained in connection with any prize/s, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
