Steven Ciobo (Moncrieff, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the House:

(1)

acknowledges that 2007 has been chosen by the Australian Government as the Year of the Surf Lifesaver to mark the 100th anniversary of Surf Life Saving in Australia;

(2)

notes the fundamental role surf lifesavers play in keeping Australia’s beaches safe and the 500,000 lives that have been saved on Australian beaches by our surf lifesavers over the past 100 years;

(3)

commends the volunteering efforts of surf lifesavers who dedicate their time to help others and save lives;

(4)

pays tribute to the surf lifesaving movement, which is the largest volunteer organisation of its kind in the country, consisting of 113,000 members, including 34,000 who actively patrol Australia’s beaches; and

(5)

acknowledges the integral role of the Australian Government within Surf Life Saving Australia to provide a safe beach and aquatic environment.

No examination of Aussie culture would be complete without rolling waves, white sand, surfers and our bronzed Aussie guardians of the surf. Images of the beach and those who protect lives on it reflect Australian popular culture—it is the ‘Australian way of life’. As such, it is an honour to move in the Australian parliament today this motion honouring our surf-lifesavers and acknowledging that 2007 has been chosen by the Australian government as the Year of the Surf Lifesaver, celebrating the 100th anniversary of surf-lifesaving in Australia.

Since 1907 Australian surf-lifesavers have saved more than 520,000 lives. Just the opportunity to save one life is remarkable, but to save hundreds of thousands from drowning and other life-threatening events on our beaches is truly outstanding. This motion celebrates 100 years of heroes—surf-lifesavers giving their own time to patrol our beaches, sometimes risking their lives to save others.

Surf Life Saving Australia is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the world. It consists of around 113,000 members in 304 clubs right across the country, including 34,000 who actively patrol Australia’s beaches. I am fortunate to live in a beachside electorate which takes in Australia’s tourism mecca of Surfers Paradise. It is the beachside capital where families relax and tourists come to holiday. Surf-lifesaving in Queensland began on Coolangatta Beach on 21 February 1909—now home to Australia’s premier iron man endurance event, the Coolangatta Gold—and, over the years, numbers have continued growing. There are now 59 surf-lifesaving clubs in operation in Queensland, with a membership in excess of 23,000 people.

Being the patron of Surf Life Saving Queensland’s South Coast branch and vice patron of Surf Life Saving Queensland, I understand and appreciate the dedication of the Australian surf-lifesaving movement, which has achieved worldwide recognition for the outstanding courage and service of its members. These members are our true heroes, dedicating hundreds of hours of their own time to patrol over 300 beaches along with some 20,000 kilometres of coastline.

Just weeks ago, I was able to congratulate volunteer surf-lifesaver Mark Fife from Broadbeach Surf Life Saving Club after he was named the Volunteer of the Year by Surf Life Saving Australia. For 32 years Mark has remained one of the most dedicated surf-lifesavers in Australia, winning the Surf Lifesaver of the Year award in 1996-97. A decade later his passion remains stronger than ever. Mark follows in the footsteps of other great examples of the best that our community has to offer, and he sets an example for others to follow.

Last Saturday night I had the opportunity of celebrating the efforts of several hundred surf-lifesavers at Australia’s national championship club—Northcliffe. I am a proud member of all surf clubs in my electorate—Southport, Surfers Paradise, Northcliffe, Broadbeach, Kurrawa, Mermaid Beach and Nobby’s Beach. Each of these clubs is a club of excellence with a dedicated crew of supporters and local heroes. They are all heroes like Mark, dedicating their own time to patrolling our beaches, raising money and training. Each year trained surf-lifesavers volunteer more than 1.4 million hours to keeping our beaches safe. Additionally, more hours are spent behind the scenes in the development and training of the next generation of nippers who will follow in their footsteps.

A survey has shown that at least 485 people would drown on our beaches each year and 313 would be permanently incapacitated as a result of accidents in the surf if not for the efforts of those bronzed Aussie heroes. The same study also found the economic and social value of surf-lifesaving services is worth more than $1.4 billion and provides many unquantifiable benefits, including increased tourism. To recognise the role of surf-lifesavers in protecting Australians over the past 100 years, the Howard government is providing $1.5 million to Surf Life Saving Australia over the next four years to enable Australians to celebrate the centenary of surf-lifesaving in Australia through a variety of events and activities.

It is important we commemorate our local surf-lifesaving clubs—for me it is the Gold Coast—for their commitment and dedication of the volunteers who get up early to patrol our beaches so we can all enjoy a safe beach environment. We are home to some of the world’s cleanest and safest beaches, and it is our true heroes in the red-and-yellow uniforms that truly deserve credit. Our 113,000 surf-lifesavers demonstrate the character and skill that epitomises the best of the Australian culture. They give their time as volunteers in the service of their community, and I am pleased 2007, the Year of the Surf Lifesaver, officially recognises their commitment to saving lives.

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