Royal Life Saving Australia released its annual report today (23/10/2021) at the National AGM which was held via teleconference. The reports detail’s the successes of Royal Life Saving throughout Australia, and the state and territory members (branches).
Download your copy at the link below.
Ahead of the industry’s first ‘living with covid’ summer, the National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC) has endorsed updated guidelines on managing the risk of COVID-19 in aquatic facilities and swim schools.
Throughout 2020-2021, the NAIC has met frequently to apply extensions to pool lifeguard, swim teacher and aquatic program instructor licenses and re-accreditations as well as discuss the ongoing needs of the aquatic industry to prepare for the transition.
Speaking of the update, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA) National Manager – Aquatics, RJ Houston stated that the Guidelines provide practical guidance on ways that aquatic facilities and swim schools can maintain safe environments for their patrons.
“As Australia transitions to ‘living with COVID’ all workplaces must find a ‘new normal’ and must continue implementing measures to reduce the spread of the virus, respond to the re-emergence of cases and to play their part in preventing health systems from being overwhelmed,” Mr Houston said.
The aquatic industry has been significantly impacted by lockdown closures associated with COVID-19. As one of the first industries to close and last to re-open each time, an estimated 2,113 aquatic facilities were forced into closure at some point throughout 2020 causing a high proportion of the 67,000 strong workforce, particularly frontline workers, to be stood down.
To assist with this transition, it was agreed by the NAIC that an update to the existing Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO): Managing the Risk of COVID-19 in Aquatic Facilities was needed.
The COVID-19 Guidelines are not intended to prescribe specific approaches, but instead seek to help businesses determine what is appropriate for their individual workplaces and circumstances. All workplaces must always follow the rules that apply in their State or Territory.
An updated draft of the COVID-19 Guideline was provided to the committee on 2 September. A feedback form and copy of the Guidelines was circulated to GSPO subscribers and published via Australasian Leisure Management, the RLSSA website, RLSSA and NAIC members’ social media accounts and an EDM newsletter, inviting public comment and feedback.
“The industry provided a great response to the public comment stage of the updated Guidelines. More than 120 comments and feedback have been provided via Royal Life Saving to the NAIC, with every comment considered by the NAIC and RLSSA in re-drafting the Guidelines,” concluded Mr. Houston.
The NAIC voted to endorse the updated Guideline on 13/10/2021.
We are presently looking for:
We are looking for casual Lifeguards for our facility at Gumdale and Redcliffe. We can provide training for suitable applicants. Applicants must be available to work over December and January (including Public Holidays).
With the industry projected to grow into the future, it is a great industry to get involved in with lots of opportunities to grow your career and make a meaningful impact in your community. Entry level courses to become a swim teacher, pool lifeguard or one of the many support and office-based roles are relatively quick and won’t break the bank, and you may even be able access government support.
Aquatic industry roles help to make a positive impact on people’s lives. They allow you to work all over Australia calling on the many soft skills you may already have from previous jobs or teaching you skills if it is your first job. For example, communication, teamwork, customer service, problem solving have an important role to play in the aquatic industry.
At the time of writing, on seek.com.au there are:
You too can make a big impact in a meaningful role in this industry.
Join 67,000 new colleagues in the aquatic industry today.
With the industry projected to grow into the future, it is a great industry to get involved in with lots of opportunities to grow your career and make a meaningful impact in your community. Entry level courses to become a swim teacher, pool lifeguard or one of the many support and office-based roles are relatively quick and won’t break the bank, and you may even be able access government support.
Aquatic industry roles help to make a positive impact on people’s lives. They allow you to work all over Australia calling on the many soft skills you may already have from previous jobs or teaching you skills if it is your first job. For example, communication, teamwork, customer service, problem solving have an important role to play in the aquatic industry.
At the time of writing, on seek.com.au there are:
You too can make a big impact in a meaningful role in this industry.
Join 67,000 new colleagues in the aquatic industry today.
Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSSA), is calling for nominations from professional people, to become a volunteer (unpaid) advisor to RLSSA in the following roles:
The duty statement and nomination forms are able to be downloaded at the links above.
These roles provide advice and leadership to the organisation on the respective field and relating to lifesaving and water safety. Nominees will need to be a member of good standing of a RLSS State (i.e. RLSSQ) and will need the endorsement of the respective branch. A curriculum vitae and/or statement of suitability should attach the nomination.
Nominations close on Thursday 28 October 2021, however please keep in mind each nomination will need state endorsement, which may take a few days.
Royal Life Saving Queensland releases its spring newsletter. Please download our newsletter to read about the Airlie Beach Lifeguard Club, Volunteering Opportunities, the Australian Lifesaving Team, HM The Queens conference call, our projects update, and upcoming activities.
Royal Life Saving releases it’s annual report for the financial year (June 2021). The society continued to provide increased services to the Queensland community, with significantly increased activity in community programs, training and other activity.
Society President, Mr Les Mole said “I can only pass on a very sincere ‘thank you’, because without the proactiveness of our people, we would not achieve as much as we do”.
We are pleased to invite you and/or your colleagues to an upcoming free webinar. This year marks 30 years and 25 years respectively of Royal Life Saving having developed and maintained the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (the GSPO) and Aquatic Facility Safety Assessments. Initially intended to be voluntary, the Guidelines were created in 1991 to provide locally developed practical guidance for the safe operation of swimming facilities and aquatic locations.
Safety Assessments were created in 1996 to assist aquatic facility owners and operators measure their success in managing risk and preventing serious incidents. Together, the Guidelines and independent Safety Assessments have: helped aquatic facility owners and operators be protected from the imposition of inappropriate standards; driven down both drownings and aquatic based injuries in public aquatic facilities; and provided a standard by which to measure safety performance for the sector.
Over the course of the last three decades, the Guidelines and Assessments have continued to evolve to incorporate more sophisticated standards, legislation, facilities, programs and community expectations.
Now under the oversight and guidance of the National Aquatic Industry Committee, the Guidelines are as relevant as ever considering the COVID-19 pandemic and an increasingly complex operating environment.
Royal Life Saving is pleased to facilitate its fourth aquatic industry webinar for 2021-22 and will be joined by some of the creators and administrators of the GSPO and Safety Assessments as well as key industry partners integral to the development and use of the Guidelines:
Webinar Details:
Thursday 30 September 2021
11:00am to 12:00pm AEST
Facilitator:
RJ Houston, National Manager – Aquatics, Royal Life Saving Australia
Webinar Registration:
Registration for this event is essential, please register at the below link.
Contact
RJ Houston, National Manager – Aquatics
Email: rjhouston@rlssa.org.au
Today, in a joint release, the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2021 and Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2021 were released. There were 294 drowning deaths in the past 12 months across Australia’s coastline, inland waterways and pools, which is 20% higher than last year (245).
Concerningly there was 75 drownings in inland waterways which is a 53% increase, and 66 drowning at beach, which is a 50% increase.
With the support of the Morrison Government, Royal Life Saving works with the Australian Water Safety Council, State and Territory organisations, and local communities to prevent drowning across the country and increase water safety awareness. Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison said the Government was determined to support organisations like Royal Life Saving to raise water safety awareness and to make our pools, waterways and beaches safer.
While further research is needed, the findings from RLSSA show that the impacts of COVID on increases in drowning deaths is largely attributable to:
key facts include:
Click on the link below to read the National Drowning report.
Click here to download the National Drowning Report 2021
Click here to download the Media Release
Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia would like to invite you to a webinar following the release of the 2021 National Drowning Report and National Coastal Safety Report. Join us on Thursday 9 September 2021 to reflect and discuss drowning statistics and key drowning trends from the last 12 months.
We will hear from a range of speakers covering research, policy and practice, who are all working to reduce drowning across Australia.
Webinar Details:
Thursday 9 September, 11am-12pm EST
Description:
Royal Life Saving is pleased to facilitate its third Aquatic Industry webinar for 2021-22 and will be joined by practitioners, advocates and experts in the field including:
Facilitator:
The Webinar is facilitated by Royal Life Saving Society – Australia
Webinar Registration:
Registration for this event is essential, please register at the below link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hPpbIZULSgact2FYC2THUQ
We would like to invite members to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will be held on Thursday 23 September 2021 at The Plantation, 1204 New Cleveland Road, Gumdale Qld 4154, commencing at 6.30 pm.
You can view the Notice and Agenda for the AGM at this link. The society will release its annual report at the AGM.
If you have not yet renewed your membership for this season, you can renew your membership by completing the membership renewal form.
Please forward any apologies by email to admin@rlssq.com.au.
If you have any questions please contact us on (07) 3823 2823 or email admin@rlssq.com.au.
On behalf of
Mrs Carolyn Asher
The Honorary Secretary
Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc
© Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc ABN 60 478 008 791 RTO 5431
