March CEO Update

The weather may be cooling somewhat, and daylight saving coming to an end, but keeping the community safe around water is a vital endeavour all year round. 

Life Saving Victoria, the lifesaving movement, the aquatic industry, our partners and the general public must remain alert at all times – particularly when dangers around water may not be front-of-mind.  

While swimming and recreating in and around water are the major focus over summer, we must now turn our attention to the water safety hazards that come to the fore in the autumn and winter months. These include unintentional entry into water such as slips, trips and falls, and dangers around home and private property settings. 

With Easter falling early this year, Life Saving Victoria is urging all Victorians to take extra care around water across the upcoming long weekends and school holidays. National figures show more than 120 lives have been lost to drowning during the Easter period over the past 20 years, with drowning rates known to double on public holidays. We remind the community to stay alert and plan ahead, whether heading to the beach, camping near a river, or visiting a backyard pool, because drownings can happen in seconds, and often in silence. 

Inland waterways remain a major water safety concern as well, particularly during public holiday periods in autumn. 

Now in its fourth year, LSV’s upcoming Inland Waterways Forum will bring together leaders in government, the community and relevant industries to tackle challenges and find solutions to keep the community safe around lakes, rivers, dams and other inland environments. This year’s forum will run in Echuca on Thursday, May 21. To book your place, go to Professional Development | Life Saving Victoria. 

It was terrific to celebrate the first ever Red & Yellow Day on March 4, a new national event to recognise the incredible contribution of our volunteer lifesavers. Thank you to all our members and personnel who wore their red and yellow with pride, and helped us continue to spread the message of water safety. 

Our annual International Women’s Day breakfast also fell on the same day, making for a wonderful combined event to showcase the efforts of women and girls in the lifesaving movement and the aquatic industry, while celebrating the Red and Yellow. I particularly thank our inspiring panelists Dianna Batley, Emma Olivier and Kath Thom for sharing your experiences and insights so generously and contributing to such a terrific occasion! 

I am delighted to announce that the people of Sri Lanka took delivery of more than 1,000 donated items from Victorian lifesaving clubs following the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Ditwah late last year. Our members generously donated inflatable rescue boats, patrol equipment, first aid supplies and clothing to Sri Lanka Life Saving to support their recovery following severe flooding, torrential rain and landslides. 

Life Saving Victoria and the state’s lifesaving clubs have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Sri Lanka Life Saving, supporting the establishment of lifesaving operations, member training, and supplying lifesaving equipment to improve water safety across Sri Lanka since 2011.  

Thank you to all our clubs and members who stepped up to support Sri Lanka in their time of need. You exemplify the very best of our movement, our state and our nation! 

And for those of you who aren’t aware, we’ve progressed a major milestone in our governance review, with LSV’s new Constitution being accepted at our Special General Meeting on 14 March. This is the biggest reform to LSV’s governance structure since its inception more than 20 years ago, and will ensure LSV can continue to drive and achieve positive water safety outcomes across Victoria for the benefit of the entire community. 

And finally, a huge congratulations to everyone who has been competing in and contributing to the Victorian Youth/Senior Championships in Lorne, the Victorian Junior Championships in Warrnambool, and the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast. All have been terrific events, and wonderful opportunities for clubs and participants to come together in friendly competition to showcase their skills – and have fun! 

Well done to all competitors, and thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make these events possible. 

Yours in lifesaving,

Cath