Volunteers needed to revive Life Saving Club

Published on 13 March 2015

In an all-out effort to keep Australia’s only inland lifesaving club operating, Mildura Life Saving Club is teaming up with Life Saving Victoria, Mildura Rural City Council, Mallee Sports Assembly and Healthy Together Mildura to train more people to become volunteer lifesavers.

Life Saving Victoria will be hosting an information session on Wednesday 18 March at 6:30pm at the Mildura Life Saving Club rooms at Apex Park.  The session will talk about what is involved in becoming a volunteer and the different opportunities available within a life saving club including administrative and equipment maintenance roles.

Mildura Life Saving Club President Greg Rhodes said community support for the club was essential for public safety.

“Between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2012, one quarter of all drowning deaths in Australia occurred in rivers, creeks and streams.” Mr Rhodes said.  “Of the forty three drowning deaths during that period, 51% of these victims resided in Victoria and the Murray River was identified as the number one river drowning black spot. The Life Saving Club helps save lives, and we are asking for the community’s help to make us a vibrant, thriving organisation again.”

Since the early 1960s, Mildura’s Apex Park beach has been home to Australia’s only rural inland beach patrol, but with only two remaining members, the Mildura Life Saving Club is in danger of folding. 

Over the past few years the club’s membership base has dwindled to the point that the club can no longer provide beach patrols at Apex Park from December to Easter each year. Mildura Rural City Council has been supporting the club to cover the shortfall over the 2014/2015 Season, but more volunteers are needed to ensure the continuation of this vital service.

Recreation and Sport Portfolio Councilor Mark Eckel praised the work done by the Mildura Life Saving Club.

“The river is a huge asset, but as with all waterways, care needs to be taken.” Cr Eckel said “The Mildura Life Saving Club provides a vital service for our community, which is why Council and other organisations are working together to support them to ensure the club remains viable into the future.”

To find out more and to express your interest in being involved in this opportunity to support our local Life Saving Club, contact Healthy Together Mildura Active Communities Officer, Louise Tarrant on ltarrant@schs.com.au or Phone: 03 5025 9627.

Healthy Together Mildura is funded by the Victorian Government and is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council and Sunraysia Community Health Services.

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Angela Umback
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