NOVEMBER CEO UPDATE
Summer is on our doorstep, but sadly, we’ve already seen a spate of drownings hit communities across Victoria.
We have seen the worst drowning figures for spring in twenty years, with 12 fatalities recorded over spring so far. This is the highest spring drowning number recorded since 2001.
These incidents have occurred across the state in coastal, inland and pool environments. This is a stark reminder that drowning is not limited to geographic location, aquatic setting, time of year, temperature or weather.
Of significant concern is that unintentional entry, where someone accidently falls into the water, has been a major factor in the drowning incidents we’ve seen.
It’s easy to assume that drowning occurs when a person is swimming or taking part in other aquatic related activities. Indeed, this is a familiar scenario; though we need to be far more vigilant about the very real threat to life posed by accidental slipping, tripping and falling into water.
Regardless of the cause, any drowning is one too many. We don’t want to see anyone drowning due to any cause in any setting, and Life Saving Victoria is wholly committed to our purpose to save lives and empower communities to safely enjoy water.
Our volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards are out in force on our beaches with the summer patrol season now underway, Lifesaving Education Programs are in full swing across the state, and the LSV team is working with our aquatic industry partners to provide safe and accessible aquatic environments for our community.
Water Safety Week will commence in the first week of December, which provides the perfect opportunity for LSV and our partners to put water safety front-of-mind for the public.
We continue to urge all Victorians to prioritise safety around water: if you’re going to the beach, swim between the red and yellow flags where possible, always supervise children, swim with a friend, and check conditions before entering the water.
Remember too, that public swimming pools are great, safe places to recreate if you’re not near the beach – with lifeguards always on duty.
We also ask everyone to take particular care to avoid unintentional entry into water. This includes being mindful of slippery or unstable surfaces, coastal rock platforms where conditions can change rapidly, and recognising how prescription medications may affect balance or judgement. Lifejackets must always be worn when boating or fishing.
Life Saving Victoria is calling on the entire community to take shared responsibility for their own safety and that of those around them. Every individual has a role to play in preventing drowning incidents and promoting safer behaviours.
Together with our partners, stakeholders and the broader community, we remain committed to reducing drowning deaths and ensuring everyone can enjoy Victoria’s waterways safely.
To guide our future water safety direction and priorities, I am delighted to announce that LSV’s 2030 Strategic Plan has just been launched, setting out our new vision statement Together preventing drowning. Together thriving around water and six key strategic goals to shape our decision making to 2030. Thank you to everyone involved in the development of LSV 2030, we look forward to working with you to realise our vision over the next 5 years. I encourage you read the plan here: STRATEGIC PLAN 2030 - Life Saving Victoria.
The LSV Annual General Meeting was held this month, in which our members came together to discuss our year in review and significant achievements across our vibrant Victorian lifesaving movement. “Together” we performed the highest number of rescues in 20 years, delivered initiatives to more diversity and inclusion program participants than ever in 18 years, launched LSV’s inaugural sports strategy, won multiple state and national awards recognising the success to date of the Venus Bay public rescue equipment, and implemented our first-ever inland waterway risk assessment model.
And finally, I’d like to thank and commend Kane Treloar, who has come to the end of his tenure on the LSV Board. Kane was appointed to the board in 2019 and served as the volunteer Director of Lifesaving Services up to this year’s AGM. Kane has made an immense contribution to LSV in his time on the board and I wish him well in his future endeavours. I’m also delighted to welcome Alex Walton as the newest member of our Board. Alex has been part of the lifesaving movement for two decades, serving at both Hampton and Williamstown lifesaving clubs, and I have no doubt he will be an invaluable addition to the LSV Board.
Yours in lifesaving,
Cath Greaves
CEO, Life Saving Victoria