MEDIA RELEASE 

14 December 2022

Surf Life Saving Australia is giving its almost 190,000 volunteer members a seat at the boardroom table to help tackle its most pressing challenges and direct donations to where they’re needed.

The organisation today launches its Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund, a bold new initiative that places the power to save lives in the hands of those who work on the coastal frontline.

Surf Life Saving will tap into the real-world experience of its volunteers to identify and develop solutions to some of its biggest challenges.

Surf Life Saving Australia Chief Operating Officer, John Brennan OAM said supporters and donors will be invited to fund projects and solutions that resonate with them.

“No one knows and understands the needs and challenges of saving lives on the Australian coastline better than Surf Life Saving’s volunteers,” Mr Brennan said.

“This is about leveraging their knowledge and passion to tackle issues and drive innovation for the future of Surf Life Saving while taking valued supporters on the journey.

“Supporters can also choose which innovation project they would like to direct their kind donations towards. Additionally, they will receive regular progress updates to demonstrate how their donations are making a real and lasting impact.”

Every project supported by the Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund will solve a challenge associated with keeping the Australian coastline safe and achieving Surf Life Saving’s overarching vision of zero preventable deaths.

The first challenge that Surf Life Saving will pose to its almost 190,000-strong membership base is to identify ways to strengthen its iconic community service through enhanced diversity and inclusion among its member and supporter base.

Mr Brennan said the organisation would tap into the expertise and lived experience of volunteers to find ways to grow and sustain a diverse membership and offer donors the chance to support a more inclusive community service.

An example of member-led innovation in this field is Albatross Nippers at Nobby’s Surf Life Saving Club on the Gold Coast, founded by volunteer surf lifesaver and sports physiotherapist Nick Marshall in 2015.

The modified Nippers program for children aged five to 14 with disability promotes water safety skills, community spirit and fun within an inclusive surf lifesaving environment.

“It means a lot to see people enjoy something that I took for granted as a kid. I love being part of a tight-knit community where everyone wants to help each other,” Mr Marshall said, adding more than 200 children have joined Albatross Nippers since its inception.

“Something I never really thought about before putting the program together was how socially isolating disability could be. One family said that before this program, they didn’t come to the beach. They were worried about how it would go and how to access the beach.

“The long-term goal is to have an inclusive Nippers program within every Surf Life Saving Club around the country and these are the types of possibilities with the Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund.”

In addition to guidance on diversity and inclusivity issues, the Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund will empower members to develop solutions to improve surf lifesaver training outcomes and implement a pilot program to reduce the organisation’s carbon emissions.

Donors and corporate supporters will also have the opportunity to fund innovation and member-driven solutions in these key areas.

The training focus acknowledges the work volunteer surf lifesavers do both on and off the coastline with their skills in emergency response, CPR and First Aid often called on to help in times of natural disasters, accidents and emergencies.

The third project will involve measuring and tracking the energy usage of surf life saving clubs over six months and then asking volunteers for suggestions to reduce outputs.

“Our most successful programs all started as pilots and we invite donors to join us in developing the reach, scope and resources of our work by making a gift towards the Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund so that together we can save lives,” Mr Brennan said.

To learn more about the Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund and to donate to one of its three current projects, visit slsinnovation.com.au.

To learn more about how you can get involved as a volunteer surf lifesaver, visit slsfoundation.com.au/innovation-participation