The Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club will receive a $5,000 boost from the Turnbull Government to help reduce drownings and near-deaths as part of a $3 million national program supporting lifesaving clubs and other water safety organisations around Australia.
“This funding is a very welcome boost,” Rowan Ramsey, Federal Member for Grey said. “Many of us head to the beach at this time of year and water safety is of paramount importance.”
A large part of the funding will go to the Government’s beach equipment program, to assist the approximately 310 surf lifesaving clubs around Australia.
Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club spokesman Phil Zubrinich welcomed the funding and said the club was working towards buying a new ATV to replace their aging four wheel drive.
Mr Ramsey visited Sunday morning’s training session and was informed the club had 80 members, with 15 patrolling volunteers and was always on the look-out for new members. He used the occasion as an opportunity to present the club with a $5,000 ‘show cheque’.
“Clubs like WSLSC are the backbone of our communities,” Mr Ramsey said. “Not only do they teach our kids water safety, they teach them about community involvement, team commitment and the importance of thinking of others.”
The five year Reduce Drownings initiative began in 2013-14. It provided a funding boost of $15 million in total to Surf Life Saving Australia, surf lifesaving clubs across Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and AUSTSWIM for their water safety programs.
The additional funding for 2018-19 will go towards the same programs. As well as the beach equipment program.
