Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As summer draws to a close, I rise to commend the work of the 167,000 surf-lifesavers across Australia including those in my electorate of Corangamite. In the 2012-13 year, surf-lifesavers completed 11,500 rescues and not one life was lost between the flags. Without these local heroes, summers at beachside towns like Ocean Grove, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Anglesea and Torquay just would not be the same. Corangamite has 12 surf-lifesaving clubs, which are central not just to our way of life on the beach but to each community they serve. These clubs play such an important role in nurturing healthy and happy families and lifelong friendships.

Over the summer I was lucky enough to present winners' medals at 30 Rip View Swim Classic at Point Lonsdale. I was at Lorne to watch the famous Pier to Pub race, the biggest ocean swim in Australia. Our Prime Minister has been a past competitor which, despite his claims that he swims like a brick, is no mean feat, given the course is a challenging 1.2 kilometres. This year the member for Kooyong made us proud with his efforts. Australia Day marked the official opening of the new $4.2 million Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club. If ever there was an example of a community which would not give up, it is Fairhaven.

Thank you so much to all surf-lifesavers in Corangamite and across Australia for their vital contribution to our nation.