Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is Red & Yellow Day, a nationwide celebration of the volunteers who dedicate their time, energy and courage to keeping Australia's beaches safe. The heroism of our surf lifesavers has never been more evident than over the last season when responding to several shark attacks, including in my electorate of Mackellar.

It was a difficult summer for Sydneysiders, with two beautiful lives lost tragically through shark attacks, including local Long Reef surfer Mercury Psillakis and 12-year-old Nico Antic in the electorate of Wentworth. I want to extend my deepest condolences to their families and friends for their immense loss. I would also like to send my very best wishes to those recovering from their injuries, including 27-year-old Andre de Ruyter, also from the northern beaches of Sydney.

These incidents have had a lasting impact on our beach-loving community, and so I want to reassure beachgoers that, with the support of Surf Life Saving NSW, protection measures have been increased, including expanded drone surveillance, the installation of shark listening stations for faster detection, and an expansion of the SharkSmart education program.

Today, on Red & Yellow Day, I want to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of our lifesavers and thank them for their countless hours of training and patrolling our beaches to keep our communities safe. You guys are legends. Thank you.