This year Royal Life Saving Society Queensland (RLSSQ) is inviting you to give a gift that will last a lifetime. Every year too many lives are lost through preventable drowning incidents, invariably many of these are children.
More than 280 families are impacted with this reality every year.
RLSSQ being a registered charity and not for profit organization is calling upon the community to consider funding one of our many funding opportunities that will help us provide the lifesaving skills to avoid becoming a heart breaking statistic.
Funding Opportunities:
One swimming lesson for a child – $20
A full term of swimming lessons for a child – $200
A full year of swimming lessons for a child – $800
A Swim Starter Pack (Vici branded Kick Board, Bag, Swim Cap and Goggles) – $80
These funding opportunities are also fully tax deductible!
To make a donation head to our Give Now link here and in the description simply include which swim school you would like to donate to and what you are donating towards.
For more information please give us a call on 07 3823 2823 📞 or send us an email at admin@rlssq.com.au 📧
Participating Swim and Survive Partners
Plantation Aquatic Centre, Gumdale Burpengary Aquatics, Burpengary
The term of the current RLSSA Honours Committee has now concluded. We are issuing a call for nominations (re-nominations) to the Honours Committee 2023-2025, including the role of Chair.
The Honours Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLS) Board of Directors all Award nominations for Australian and Commonwealth Honours up to and including the Commonwealth Service Cross with bar, RLS Bravery Awards, Australian Resuscitation Club award and nominations for Australian Honours.
The committee plays a very important role in guiding the honours process, promoting the system and reviewing applications. The committee usually meets virtually, and face to face from time to time.
If you wish to nominate an individual please find the RLSSA Honours Committee Member Nominations Form and Terms of reference below.
Royal Life Saving wishes to congratulate the Queensland Government announcement today following an independent review of QFES.
The changes will see the Fire and Rescue Service and the Rural Fire Service form a dedicated fire department, while the Queensland Police Service will host the State Emergency Service and the Marine Rescue Service.
Royal Life Saving Executive Director Mr Paul Barry said we’re pleased to be associated with this restructure and we’re looking forward to working with QPS. We have a good strong working relationship with Minister Ryan, who has supported volunteer and lifesaving organisations since he has been in the portfolio. We also look forward to working with Commissioner Carroll, who we worked closely with when she was fire Commissioner.
At the Annual General Meeting on 29 September 2022 members of Royal Life Saving Queensland approved a new constitution.
In 2019 the board considered reviewing the constitution and in 2020 a Constitution Committee was established consisting of Mr Ross Williams, Mr Jim McClelland, Mr Colin Harris. The committee considered options such as a company limited by guarantee, but ultimately proposed to remain as an Incorporated Association.
A draft constitution was circulated to members on 2 September 2022 and members feedback had been incorporated in the presented to members. The board has committed to also review and updated by-laws in the coming months.
It was moved and passed as a motion that the constitution be approved and the board be empowered to submit the constitution to the Queensland Office of Fair Trading and the ACNC.
Royal Life Saving releases it’s annual report for the financial year (June 2022). 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”.
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.
As we present the National Drowning Report for 2022, we remain ever mindful of the people whose lives have been lost or impacted by drowning, including the many families affected by the loss or long-term injury of a loved one.
This report presents our analysis of fatal and non-fatal drowning across Australia between 1st July 2021 and 30th June 2022. During this time, 339 people lost their lives to drowning and we estimate a further 686 people experienced a non-fatal drowning incident.
In Queensland, there was 84 drowning deaths which is an increase of 25%, and an increase of 27% on the ten year average. View the Queensland summary here.
Drowning deaths in Queensland rose by 25 per cent last year, the new Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2022 has revealed.
Almost a third of the 84 people who lost their lives drowned in flood-related incidents.
Queensland’s spike in drowning deaths contributed to the highest drowning toll in Australia in 25 years, prompting water safety experts to issue an urgent plea to make safety a focus this summer.
Royal Life Saving Society – Queensland State Manager Education and Training Nikki Thornhill said the deaths were a tragedy that affected countless families, friends and communities.
“Our hearts go out to all those who are mourning the loss of someone to drowning this year,” Ms Thornhill said.
“With predictions for another La Niña summer, Royal Life Saving is urging people to be aware of the weather conditions and avoid driving through flood waters.
“Many Queenslanders might be surprised to learn that rivers and creeks were the dominant location for drowning, with 45 per cent of all drowning deaths occurring there.
“Alarmingly the largest number of drowning deaths occurred among people aged 25-34 years, which is different to the trend in the rest of Australia. So we’re asking that age group in particular to be aware of the risks and brush up on their water safety skills.”
The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2022 found that there were 339 drowning deathsover the past 12 months, which is 15% higher than last year(295), and the highest reported figure since 1996.
While further research is needed, the findings highlight ongoing impacts of COVID‐19 on drowning risk, including Australians being more likely to visit unfamiliar, unpatrolled water locations, children lacking swimming skills necessary to enjoy the water safely due to pandemic induced lesson cancellations.
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia CEO, Justin Scarr, said he was deeply saddened by the tragic increase in drowning.
“Increased drowning deaths in school aged children is tragic and may be a sign of generational impacts of lessons missed due to COVID‐19,” Mr Scarr said.
“Swimming and water safety lessons are critical to child safety.
“We urge adults of all ages to consider the impacts of medical conditions, alcohol, and swimming ability has on their water safety.”
The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2022 was released alongside the Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2022 in Sydney on Friday 16 September 2022.
With the support of the Australian Government, Surf Life Saving and Royal Life Saving are looking at strategies ahead of the warmer months, including bringing forward water safety campaigns, delivering lifesaving services and working with governments, councils and groups across the country.
QUEENSLAND STATISTICS
84 drowning deaths
This is a 25% increase on 2020/21 and a 27% increase on the 10-year average
77% of those who drowned were male
31% of drowning deaths were flood-related
The largest number of drowning deaths occurred among people aged 25-34 years (18%)
Rivers and creeks accounted for 45% of deaths, followed by beaches (18%)
Non-aquatic transport was the leading activity prior to drowning (29%), followed by a fall into water (19%)
We would like to invite members to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the society which will be held on Thursday 29 September 2022 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
Mrs Carolyn Asher The Honorary Secretary Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc
Royal Life Saving Queensland is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
We wish to express our deepest condolences, and send our thoughts and prayers to all members of the Royal Family and friends.
Queen Elizabeth was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, and had served as our Commonwealth patron since 1952.
We reflect with great admiration and eternal gratitude on her patronage, and her deep commitment to our lifesaving mission.
From the joy of the RLS Junior Respiration Award pinned proudly on her swim suit at age 12, to her most recent presentation of honours to colleagues, and everything in between. Her support has been deeply felt, much cherished and of great inspiration.
IF YOU RESIDE IN OR AROUND TOWNSVILLE – WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Royal Life Saving needs your help in collecting data to further water safety advocacy and reduce drowning in the region.
The research study aims to: – Explore where, how often and what you do at aquatic locations in and around Townsville – Explore how far you travel and how often you visit aquatic locations in and around Townsville – Your thoughts on water safety in Townsville
A new financial year means it is time to renew your facility’s subscription to the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO)!
The GSPO is the recognised national industry standard that describes and makes recommendations as to the appropriate minimum standards of safety that should be attached to the design, ownership and operations of aquatic facilities thereby providing a recognised standard of care in a particular area of design and/or operations.
They provide a recognised standard of care in particular areas of design and operations. While subscription is voluntary, it is highly recommended and on a per-facility basis.
Under a variety of legal standards and frameworks, facility designers, owners and operators are charged with the responsibility of ensuring public and worker health and safety arising from the business and/or undertaking of aquatic facilities and their activities. For 30 years, Royal Life Saving has written the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO), which compiles and contextualises these standards and frameworks, making them easier to understand and apply to aquatic facilities.
Although published by Royal Life Saving, the GSPO represents the collective opinion of the aquatic industry across Australia, through an extensive and consultative development and review process undertaken by the National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC). As such, the GSPO is written and authorised for industry by industry – leveraging a formal network of collaborators both nationally and internationally.
All aquatic facility designers, owners and operators are strongly recommended to access and have an understanding of the GSPO in order to meet their obligations under the respective state and/or territory health and safety legislation.
