Royal Life Saving releases it’s annual report for the financial year (June 2024). 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 “As we approach the 120th anniversary of Royal Life Saving Queensland, it is a privilege to reflect on the remarkable progress we have made in our mission of drowning prevention and water safety. The past year has been a testament to our resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to saving lives.“
We would like to invite members to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the society which will be held on Thursday 12 September 2024 at The Plantation, 1204 New Cleveland Road, Gumdale Qld 4154, commencing at 7.00 pm. Please find attached the Notice and Agenda for 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 would you 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
Mr Luke Daly The Honorary Secretary Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc
Every year, Royal Life Saving produces a National Drowning Report. This report examines the factors that contribute to drowning deaths in Australia by examining who, where, when and how people have drowned in Australian waterways over the last year. Royal Life Saving has produced a National Drowning Report every year since 1995.
National Drowning Report 2024
The National Drowning Report 2024, released on Tuesday 20th August at Parliament House, Canberra showed drowning is a persistent and traumatic issue that affects thousands of families, first responders and communities every year.
The National Drowning Report 2024, published by the Royal Life Saving – Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, found there were 323 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, 16 per cent higher than the ten-year average (278).
The National Drowning Report 2024 insights include:
92 adults 65 years or older drowned (28% of the total), the largest number ever
15 children under the age of 5 drowned. This was down by 25% on the 10-year average
25% were born overseas, with the highest countries being India, China, Nepal and the UK. Long term data shows this figure is higher (34% over ten years)
People from disadvantaged and regional areas drowned at a higher rate than those from higher advantaged areas, particularly in children aged 5 – 14 years
46% occurred in coastal locations (150), including 84 drowning deaths (26%) at beaches
34% at inland waterway locations (110), including 80 drowning deaths (25%) at rivers
11% occurred in swimming pools (35 deaths), half (51%) were backyard pools
December and March recorded the highest numbers of drowning deaths
Drowning rates increase ten-fold from age 10 to age 20, likely due to increases in risk taking, and a lack of swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills across youth and young adult populations.
For World Drowning Prevention Day (WDPD) RLSSQ was involved in several awareness campaigns for the day including “Light Up Blue” in Brisbane, Townsville and Ipswich. Our fabulous Education Team presented in-classroom water safety programs to ten kindy’s and state schools across Queensland reaching over 1,000 kids. Money was raised for the RLSSQ Foundation through schools and workplaces “Dressing in Blue” on the day.
Ipswich Civic Centre
Brisbane City Hall
Townsville
Karilpa Bridge
Townsville
Story Bridge, Brisbane
We are excited to announce the winners of our World Drowning Prevention Day Colouring-In and Short Story Competitions. Thank you to all the kids who entered – we received a record number of entries this year!
We would like to remind you that it’s time to renew your membership with Royal Life Saving Society Queensland (RLSSQ). The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) is a public benevolent institution that has a leadership role in drowning prevention in 27 Commonwealth Countries; the Queensland Branch was established in 1905 and is the oldest life saving society in Queensland. Our motto is:
‘Whomsoever you see in distress, recognise in them a fellow human being‘.
By remaining a member of Royal Life Saving, you are signifying that you desire to be part of a society with royal patronage and for the charitable purpose of drowning prevention.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Membership renewal forms are now available to be completed and can be downloaded from the link below, or from our website homepage. Membership renewal forms need to be completed and returned to remain current. To finalise your membership renewal, you will need to complete and return the below form:
If you are over 18 years of age (and active in the society), you will need to provide a copy of your Blue Card (or Exemption Card) which will be linked to us.
MEMBERS HUB
We have created a members hub, which allows members to log into a members area, and renew membership online. Whilst this year membership renewal is completed using a paper based form, we would like to move to an online form next year, hence we have created a members hub.
You are welcome to renew you membership by registering and paying using the hub this year.
If you are not already, you may wish to consider becoming a facilitator (previously referred to as Recreational Trainer) with us. Have a look at this information sheet on how you can become a Facilitator.
INDUSTRY TRAINER
If you work in the aquatic industry and would like to deliver our large range of industry training courses, you may wish to consider becoming a Trainer with Royal Life Saving.
Do not hesitate to contact us on (07) 3823 2823 if you have any questions or concerns. Please also keep an eye on our website and follow/like our Facebook Page to stay updated.
It was our pleasure last week on 17 July 2024 to host the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Service Agreement Launch.
The partnership between RLSSQ and QPS stems back over ten years and the support from QPS (previously QFES) has facilitated the delivery of water safety education programs by RLSSQ reaching over 57,000 Queenslanders in 2023 alone.
The launch was attended by the Hon. Mark Ryan, Minister for Police and Community Safety, Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski APM, RLSSQ President, Nicky Sloan, Cr Glenn Tozer and Royal Lifesaving Australia (RLSSA), National Manager – Industry Safety, Marty Moran as well as other community and aquatic leaders.
(Left to Right): QPS Commissioner Steve Gollschewski APM, RLSSQ President Nicky Sloan, RLSSA National Manager – Industry Safety Marty Moran, Cr Glenn Tozer and Hon. Mark Ryan Minister for Police and Community Safety.
The event included a Presentation by KARI Foundation representative, Markie Richards, about the collaboration with RLSSQ on the Gwonggubunga water safety education program for Aboriginal children.
Pictured: Markie Richards (Left) and Peta Pearson (Right) from KARI Foundation
Presentations were also made for our Platinum Pools Assessment Program with Nerang, Mudgerraba and Helensvale Aquatic Centres achieving Silver Endorsements. Congratulations to Gold Coast, Upper Coomera, Pimpama and Miami Aquatic Centres who are the first facilities in Queensland to achieve a Platinum Endorsement.
Silver Endorsement Recipients
Platinum Endorsement Recipients
As well as the launch function and awards ceremony, attendees were given a demonstration of various pool lifeguard skills by the reigning Pool Lifeguard Challenge team from the City of Gold Coast. These professional lifeguards showed their skills in a number of pool rescue scenarios.
Royal Life Saving issues a new book on the 100th anniversary of the Royal Charter.
In its early years the Society enjoyed close links with the Royal Family. In 1903 His Majesty King Edward Vll became Patron of the Society and presented a trophy, The King’s Cup, and in 1904 granted the Society the style “The Royal Life Saving Society”. The Duke of York, later The Prince of Wales and later still His Majesty King George V, was the President of the Society between 1892 and 1910.
The Important of a Royal Charter
It sets the Society aside from other incorporated organisations and makes it one of only about 750 such Charter bodies.
It sets the Society aside from other incorporated organisations and makes it one of only about 750 such Charter bodies.
The Charter reflects the high status of the organisation. In 1924 only three Royal Charters were granted.
It cemented the link between the Society and the Royal Family (and their viceregal representatives) which commenced in 1893 and continues to the current time
It laid the foundation for the Supplemental Charters of 1960 and 2018 and almost certainly eased the process for them being granted.
No doubt it encouraged the succession of Patronage by the reigning monarch including HM King George VI, who appointed Earl Mountbatten as Commonwealth President which led to greater expansion in the Commonwealth, HM Queen Elizabeth, our longest serving Patron, and HM King Charles III in 2024. All our Patrons have shown considerable interest in, and support to, the Society.
It enabled the favourable response to the request to use the St Edward’s Crown in our logo, granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1964.
Royal Life Saving Queensland, has a sub-charter from The Royal Life Saving Society.
In accordance with our constitution, this year the positions of President, Honorary Treasurer and one (1) board member (Directors) are due for re-election. Any two (2) financial members of the Society shall be at liberty to nominate any member to serve in any vacant position on the Board of Directors. Board members are required to be members of the Society. Please find below a link to download the nomination form:
The nomination shall be in writing and signed by the nominee, and the proposer and seconder and be lodged by 30 June 2024. The nomination may be hand delivered during business hours to our office at the Plantation (1204 New Cleveland Rd, Gumdale Qld 4154), or posted to the address shown below, however nominations must be received by us on or before 5pm on 30 June 2023.
Postal Address The Secretary Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc PO Box 1093 CAPALABA QLD 4157
Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
Please note that if you have an unpaid debt to the Society you may not be considered a financial member. When ballot papers are circulated, the citation of each nominee will be included, with each citation edited to be in a similar format and font (and cut to a word count of 200 words). The counting of ballot papers will be conducted by the Honorary Solicitor and the outcome of the ballot will be announced at the Annual General Meeting which will be before 30 September 2023.
Royal Life Saving is seeking to employ a full time Aquatic Facility Specialist (Facility Auditor) for a new role located at Gumdale. The purpose of the role is to build and drive Royal Life Saving as a risk management specialist in the aquatic industry in Queensland. To increase the safety of aquatic facilities and locations and to assist increase overall safety for individuals who frequent these locations. work with all levels of aquatic industry – operations through to government. Strengthen industry relationships, knowledge and safety.
We are seeking an energetic and enthusiastic person with aquatic industry experience who will:
Manage RLSS Aquatic advisors / risk services: including platinum pool program, pool safety assessments, signage assessments and supervision assessments
Industry liaising: relation management with aquatic stakeholders and delivery of workshops, forums, or symposiums
Business development: building and retaining partnerships across multiple industries, growing aquatic service capabilities, products and services, providing industry updates to stakeholders.
Compliance: assisting with maintaining of standards.
Work alongside and support Royal Life Saving Australia
Proactively grow aquatic services and revenue
Position
Aquatic Service Specialist (Facility Auditor)
Employer
Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc
Location
Gumdale, Brisbane
Description
Royal Life Saving is seeking a manager training to lead small team in training delivery. This is a hands on role Down load and view the Position Description.
Employment Status
Full Time position available
Pay Rate
$75,000 to $105,000 PA Salary Package (+ Super) (plus ability to Salary Sacrifice )
Our Commonwealth Office is delighted to receive notification that His Majesty King Charles III has accepted the Patronage of The Royal Life Saving Society.
Royal Life Saving Society Queensland (and Australia) are members of the RLSS Commonwealth.
This news is wonderful for the Society and maintains the link between the reigning monarch and the Society which was established in 1904. This news comes as we celebrate the first anniversary of Their Majesties’ Coronation.
We are very grateful to His Majesty for this display of support. His Majesty is no stranger to the RLSS having, as Prince Charles, achieved his Bronze Medallion and the Elementary Certificate in 1962.
