Royal Life Saving Society - ACT Annual Report 2010/2011

1 OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY HONOURS Royal Life Saving Society - ACT

THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCITEY COMMONWEALTH COUNCIL HONOURS (Incorporated By Royal Charter) Service Cross Annual Report Patron Mr G.P McGibbon Her Majesty The Queen Mr H. Hird Mr L. Holley 2010/2011 Commonwealth President Peter Granleese H.R.H Prince Michael of Kent Service Medal Justice Terence Higgins THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY- AUSTRALIA Mr Peter Granleese Patron Mr Kevin Graham Her Excellency The Governor General of Australia Mr Lyal Holley Mr Tony Bandle 08 National President Mr Greg Bowler Chief Justice Terrence Higgins AO CONTENTS Mr H. Hird Branch Director National President’s Report 4 Bar to Service Cross Chief Justice Terence Higgins AO Mr H. Hird Executive Officer’s Report 5 06 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY BRANCH INCORPORATED AUSTRALIAN HONOURS Operations President Fellow of the Royal Life Saving Society Chief Justice Terence Higgins AO Mr G.P McGibbon Advocacy 06 Deputy President Mr K. Graham Education 08 Mr Harold Hird Mr I. Cocks Mr Tony Bandle Training and Skills 12 Honorary Treasurer Mr Tony Bandle Service Order of the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Sport 13 Mrs C. McGibbon Elected Member to the Board of Directors Health Promotion 14 Ms D. Cocks Mr Peter Granleese Aquatic Risk Management 16 Mr Lyal Holley Meritorious Service Award Mr Peter Castle Mr H. Hird AUSTSWIM 17 Mr Peter Macaulay Royal Life Saving Society Commendation for Bravery Executive Officer Mr P. Zori 20010/11 Award Figures 18 Mr Sean Hodges Mr D. McCaskill Mr G. O’Neill Auditor Mr M. Gilet RSM Bird Cameron Ms N. Ballenden Solicitors Mr N. Hansford Michael Higgins Constable Russ Quilty 13 Medical Advisor Royal Life Saving Society Australia Rescue Medal Ian Cocks Elise Waser Barton Waser Jon Waser 14

www.act.royallifesaving.com.au

2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

The Royal Life Saving Society Australia, ACT Branch It once again gives me great pleasure to report on the continues each year to grow stronger and is always activities of the Australian Capital Territory Branch of striving to achieve its aims and objectives of preventing Royal Life Saving Australia. The 2010-11 year proved loss of life and promoting safe aquatic pursuits. It gives to be a successful for one Royal Life Saving ACT. With me great pleasure to report to members, partners and increases across all our programs and courses we directly supporters that the 2010/11 year has been no different. reached in excess of 12,000 ACT residents.

As I have stated, the Branch continues to grow across all Training has become the major strength of our areas of our operations. Throughout 2010/2011 the ACT organisation with course enrolment numbers tripling Branch issued over 12,000 certificates including 8,659 over the past few years. Our increased market share Swim and Survive certificates, 800 Bronze Medallion and in the provision of First Aid has helped to secure our Pool Lifeguard certificates and over 1,600 first aid and branches long term viability and allows us to provide resuscitation certificates. Add to this our vast numbers greater access to programs in water safety education to of trainers, examiners and endorsed swim schools and the ACT community. aquatic centres show that the Royal Life Saving Society ACT is leading the way for water safety education within Our Aquatic training programs also continue to the ACT. experience growth in particular through local schools and colleges. Over the past twelve months the branch The ACT branch continues to advocate on important has been committed to reconnecting our aquatic based water safety issues in the ACT. Swimming and water programs to the community and we will continue to do safety skills for children and home pool safety reforms so, so that we continue to be the leading water safety for pool owners have been at the top of our agenda The Royal Life Saving Society Australia, ACT training organisation in the ACT. Royal Life Saving ACT continues to work items for a number of years now. This year we have again seen an increased commitment by the ACT Branch continues each year to grow stronger This year’s ACT Primary Schools Swimming and Water closely with the ACT Government in Government for swimming and water safety skills and is always striving to achieve its aims Safety program was another huge success and involved promoting the importance of water safety to assist children from disadvantaged backgrounds, some 3000 school students from across 30 ACT schools. the total annual commitment is $190,000. The ACT and objectives of preventing loss of life and This year we launched the Ministers Swim and Survive education to the ACT community. Government’s new Home Pool safety reforms also await promoting safe aquatic pursuits. Certificate, the program was implemented to create release and we are hopeful that these new reforms will a localised brand to generate community awareness go a long way to preventing child drowning in backyard and profile within the ACT, as well as providing an pools. These are both fantastic results and we commend aspirational goal for ACT students and families. Our aim the ACT Government for taking action on these is to use this to encourage schools, teachers and parents important issues. to ensure swimming and water safety programs are offered within their local schools. I would like to personally thank the Royal Life Saving ACT board, Sean Hodges and the entire Royal Life Saving Royal Life Saving ACT continues to work closely with ACT Staff for their tireless work in developing and the ACT Government in promoting the importance of running the societies vast range of activities. water safety education to the ACT community. Royal Life Saving ACT is the current chair of the Safe Waters Finally on behalf of the Royal Life Saving ACT board I ACT working group and over the past twelve months would like to than the following; the Safe Waters group has achieved a large number of • The dedicated volunteers and instructors who continue actions from the 2010-13 Safe Waters Action plan. The spread the Royal Life Saving messages most important achievement was the commitment from the ACT Government to introduce new legislation for • The Royal Life Saving Australia National office and home swimming pool safety, where we should see new board for their continued support legislation brought into effect in 2012. • The ACT Government for their ongoing support • The Labor Club for their generous support The efforts of the Royal Life Saving ACT staff, volunteers, and contribution to the Swim for Life Program Instructors and Examiners have made these fantastic • Canberra Milk for supporting our ACT SEALS lifesaving results possible and on behalf of the Royal Life Saving team ACT board I thank everyone involved for another outstanding year. Without the support of our members, volunteers and sponsors we could not achieve our mission of prevention Sean Hodges of drowning and public safety, particularly around water. Executive Officer

Chief Justice Terence Higgins AO President

4 5 7 A.C.T. AUSTSWIM AWARDS AUSTSWIM A.C.T. Outstanding Contribution to AUSTSWIM: McDermott • Lyn ACT AUSTSWIM Swim School of the Year: - Ali Parvizi • A.I.S. Swim School ACT AUSTSWIM of SwimmingTeacher & Water Safety: - A.I.S. • Jade Prasertrungreung ACT AUSTSWIM of InfantTeacher & Preschool Aquatics: - A.I.S. • Christine Verco ACT AUSTSWIM of PeopleTeacher with a Disability: Aquatots Swim School • Jason McCarthy - ACT AUSTSWIM Presenter Award: • Ben Cuttriss Swim and Survive Endorsed Swim Schools: • Lakeside Leisure Centre - Judy Macallister • Canberra Olympic Pool Angela Beh • Dickson Aquatic Centre Chris Graham Royal Life Saving Society Awards Associate: • Peter Macaulay Bar to service Cross: • Harold Hird Life Member: Higgins • Terrence Certificate of Thanks: • ACT Health Promotions - Merryn Hare O’Leary • Sport and Recreation Services - Shane 2011 World conference on Drowning Higgins attended In May 2011 Sean Hodges And Terry on Drowning Prevention 2011 Conference the World Life Saving which was presented by the International Federation (ILS) and the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia in collaboration with The Alliance for Safe leading aquatic Over 430 of the world’s Children (TASC). lifesaving and drowning research experts industry, The conference attended the conference in Vietnam. had one specific aim: to focus world attention on the global burden of drowning, and especially on the epidemic of drowning deaths in developing countries. The conference was a huge success and thanks should go to the entire Royal Life Saving Society Australia for a fantastic conference. y dvocac A 2010 ACT Water Safety Awards Royal Life Saving ACT hosted the 2010 ACT Water Safety Awards. There were many extraordinary efforts by individuals, organisations and schools within the Aquatic Industry over the past 12 months. Mr Andrew MinisterBarr, for Sport and Recreation, presented the awards at the ACT Legislative Assembly on November 29th to some outstanding individuals and organisations. Recipients included; The full list of Award The Ministers Award for the Most Significant Contribution to Water Safety by an Individual: • Carol Gathercole Community Service Award: • ACT Greens - Meredith Hunter Community Education Program of the Year: Luchetti • Swim for Life - Tony Lifesaving Educator of the Year: - Dickson Aquatic Centre • Ben Lynch 5 Star Aquatic Facilities: • Active Leisure Centre - Matt Pole • A.I.S. - Peter Raines • Canberra Olympic Pool - Angela Beh • C.I.S.A.C. - Chanelle Mann • Dickson Aquatic Centre - Chris Graham • Lakeside Leisure Centre - Kieran Grealish Gold Star Aquatic Facility Safety Award: • Lakeside Leisure Centre - Doug Read Safety Award: ACT Schools Water Primary School - Sarah Nicholas • Torrens • Radford College - Dearne Tulloch Rescue of the Year: • Lakeside Leisure Centre - Kieran Grealish Lifeguard of the Year: • Kieran Grealish - Lakeside Leisure Centre Presidents Commendation for Lifesaving: • Rachael Miles - RLSSA - Radford College • Dearne Tulloch AWARDS NGADYUNG ATSI Ngadyung Award: • Gilbert bin Saad Family Ken ‘Chuck’ Evans Award: • Deekon Parsons

Advocacy 9 rogram P urvive S and

wim S chools S and The 2010 ACT Primary Schools Swimming program was a huge success and Safety Water from involved 2250 public school students across 23 ACT public schools. These numbers are a 25% increase on 2009. Schools A highlight for the 2010 ACT Primary from Swim and Survive program was a visit and Alicia Coutts, Commonwealth games Olympic Gold medallist. Alicia attended a hit the CISAC pool during term 4 and was some with our local students. Alicia provided and valuable swimming instruction lessons of our even participated in a race against one ACT swimming champions. program is a result The success of this year’s a of three years hard work in promoting consistent message of the importance of In 2010 alone we swimming and water safety. had a total of 22 local media related messages and radio for the program which included TV, print. The use of media has played a vital role in getting our message out to the local school communities of the importance of the swimming and water safety program I would like to thank all of the Royal Life Saving Instructors, in particular Nicole Lloyd for a fantastic job with the 2010 program. I would also like to thank the ACT Department of Education and all the local schools, teachers, parents and students who participated in the 2010 program. T his is vital in changing the skills, T urvive S and

wim Swim and Survive Bronze Medallion Grey Medallion Swim for Life ife Saving’s mission to prevent aquatic injuries and education Water Safety education is a mainL priority in Royal drowning deaths. knowledge, attitude and behaviourscommunity of theto participateAC in aquaticsafe and activities enjoyable inmanner a Royal Life Saving’s key education programs aim to build awareness of dangers in aquatic environments, teach essential water safety and swimming skills, and develop lifesaving skills that may one day save a life. The education scope ranges from water familiarisation for Infants to water safety and lifesaving skills for older Australians. include: Our key education programs • • • • S children a range The Swim and Survive program teaches participation of skills to encourage a lifetime of safe the water. in recreational activities in, on, or around in the Swim The valuable skills and knowledge learnt of protection by and Survive program provides a level in swimming, teaching children solid foundation skills survival and basic rescue. 15 million Since its inception thirty years ago, almost in the Swim Australian children have participated has made and Survive program. Swim and Survive lives by a significant contribution in many families’ reducing the rate of child drowning in 5-14 year olds by over 75%. Swim and Survive is delivered in pools, schools and other aquatic locations across the country by qualified swimming and water safety instructors.

education 01 Canberra Labor Club - Swim for Life Ministers Swim and Survive Certificate Water Smart

The Canberra Labor Club Swim for Life program aims In 2010 Royal Life Saving ACT in conjunction with 2010 has seen the highest participation levels on record to encourage greater participation in swimming and Minister Andrew Barr launched the new ACT Ministers for Royal Life Saving ACT’s primary school-based Water water safety programs for all ACT Children. This year Swim and Survive Certificate. The Minister’s Swim and Smart program. Approximately 1200 students, more the Canberra Labor Club Swim for Life Program directly Survive Certificate creates a localised brand to generate than a 100% increase on last year’s figures, took part in involved over 5,000 ACT Children, with the Canberra community awareness and profile within the ACT, as various lifesaving, survival and emergency care activities Labor Club brand reaching 100% of all ACT Schools and well as providing an aspiration goal for ACT students during terms 3 and 4. 40% of all ACT primary school families. and families. The Water Smart Program was originally implemented The Canberra Labor Club’s Swim for Life Program creates Royal Life Saving ACT and the Safe Waters ACT working by Royal Life Saving ACT as a support program for the a localised brand to generate community awareness and party have set a goal for 75% of all ACT children to popular pool-based Swim and Survive lessons, but over profile for swimming and water safety within the ACT. achieve level 4 Swim and Survive before they leave the last 3 years it has proven to be an attractive Water We incorporate the Canberra Labor Club Swim for Life primary school. The skills required to achieve this level Safety training option in itself. Water Smart, consisting branding across a variety of programs which encourage have been identified through the National Swimming of three 45 minute lessons, focuses on developing participation and skill development in swimming and and Water Safety framework as the minimum level for students’ knowledge and awareness of local aquatic water safety. We know that not every child is going to swimming and water safety skills for Australian Children. environments and the dangers that exist within them. be the next Ian Thorpe however we aim for every child The Minister’s Swim and Survive Certificate provides the to be able to Swim and Survive and we want them to minimum skills and confidence required as outlined in By exploring options for safe activities in these areas, continue to Swim for Life. the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework for and providing advice for emergency response, students students to be safe in and around water. walk away with a good understanding of how to keep In 2010 the following programs were conducted themselves and others safe in a variety of situations. largely thanks to the kind support from the Canberra The Minister’s Swim and Survive Certificate is aligned Recent improvements to the program have ensured Labor Club; to the Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive Program, that primary students of all ages are able to participate • ACT Primary Schools Swim and Survive Program specifically Level 4 and is awarded to all students who and learn. MINISTER’S successfully achieve the competencies of the program. SWIM AND SURVIVE • Swim for Life Holiday Program CERTIFICATE We hope that this approach will influence schools to Flexible lesson plans and interactive activities have This is to certify that • ACT Junior Lifeguard Program offer Swim and Survive lessons for their students and appealed to the schools, as has the hassle-free 03 • Water Smart Program encourage parents to enrol their children. implementation guide. Royal Life Saving ACT has Has achieved the swimming and water safety skills • Active Family Fun Days endeavoured to adhere to the high standards of of the Minister’s Swim and Survive Certificate. We aim to eventually have the Ministers Swim and continuous improvement that has come to be expected DATE The success of this year’s program is a result of three Survive Certificate recognised by the community as the from such a quality Training Organisation. MR ANDREW BARR MLA minimum swimming level their children should achieve Minister for Education and Training years hard work in promoting a consistent message Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation of the importance of swimming and water safety. In before they complete primary school. Water Smart has proven its worth with schools and 2010 alone we had a total of 22 local media related teachers opting to provide the training themselves due messages for the program which included TV, radio and to a lack of funding for the program in 2010. Despite www.swimandsurvive.com.au print. The use of media has played a vital role in getting Students awarded the Ministers Swim and Survive having no sponsorship funds available Royal Life Saving our message out to local school communities of the Certificate needed to demonstrate an ability to ACT chose to proceed and offer the program, and in importance of the swimming and water safety program. confidently perform the following water safety turn received a vote of confidence from the local school 02 knowledge and skills: community with over 26 classes taking part. I would like to thank the Canberra Labor Club for 1. Water Safety Knowledge their ongoing support for these vital programs for the ACT community. Without this support many of these • Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic programs would not happen. environment - online 2. Swim • Swim 50 meters freestyle • Swim 25 meters survival backstroke 3. Continuous Survival Sequence Dressed in t-shirt and shorts, students need to: • Enter the water safely • Float, scull and tread water for 5 minutes • Remove t-shirt and shorts • Swim for 5 minutes using a combination of survival strokes • Exit the water safely 4. Rescue Skills 01 • Throw a rescue flotation aid to a partner at 5 meters St Jude’s students at the Canberra Labor distance and instruct the partner to kick to the edge. Club Swim for Life program

02 Signed Minister’s Swim and Survive Certificate

03 Water Smart class learning CPR

10 11 Training and Skills Sport

Lifesaving training courses continue to go from strength Royal Life Saving ACT continued to contribute to the 2010 saw the recruitment of the first ACT Pool Lifesaving to strength in the ACT. Course attendance has increased National Swim and Survive program review. The review team in over 20 years. The ACT Canberra Milk S.E.A.L.S. in all areas of training and Senior First Aid in particular involved representatives from each state and territory (Special Elite Act Lifesaving Squad) began training for has proven to be an increasingly popular training option coming together to discuss the focus and direction of the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships (APLSC) to for organisations and other groups. Community First Aid Swim and Survive, the program content and marketing be held in Brisbane in January 2011. The team consisted has done especially well on weekends. and promotion strategies. of 4 men and 4 women in the Open category.

This year Royal Life Saving ACT provided lifesaving As a result The Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Sadly, the APLSC was cancelled due to the tragic flooding training to many local organisations; these groups have was able to launch a brand new program complete events that occurred in Queensland in January and so the been able to take advantage of Royal Life Saving ACT’s with updated content including new content for S.E.A.L.S. made good use of the bonus training time in flexible delivery and assessment options including CPR Infants and Preschoolers, new logo and branding and preparation for the postponed date in June. in a Box and First Aid in a Box. These easy self-paced the development of a new Swim and Survive website. products have allowed hundreds of individuals to learn The process for becoming a Swim and Survive Partner The extra training paid off – the S.E.A.L.S. achieved an in the comfort of their own home. was streamlined, making it easier for Swim Schools to overall result of 5th in the competition and 4th in the implement Swim and Survive as their main Learn to Swim Opens’ category. 3 team members also achieved top 10 Austswim courses have always been successful in the ACT and Water Safety program. results in individual events: and Royal Life Saving ACT was excited to host the first AUSTSWIM Towards Competitive Strokes Course held Representatives from the ACT branch are also Hannah Miles – in the Territory for a number of years. The course was a participating in the recently commenced National Pool 9th Open Women’s 100m Manikin Carry huge success and booked out within a fortnight of being Lifeguard program review. This review will incorporate Rachael Miles – offered to the community. Ben Cuttriss, Royal Life Saving 2011 ACT S.E.A.L.S. industry feedback and expert contributions and aim 8th Open Women’s 12m Line Throw ACT’s Chief Examiner, was able to achieve his Towards to establish the direction of Pool Lifeguard training in Left to right: Alex Templeton, Tamara Gradden, Johnny Competitive Strokes Presenter certificate and looks Australia, the necessary training content, marketing and Luke Hinchcliffe – Morris, Hannah Miles, Shane Hillier, Royal Life Saving forward to providing further training in this area to local promotion strategies, and recommendations for renewal/ 7th Overall CPR Competition ACT President Chief Justice Terence Higgins, Royal Life Swim Teachers. requalification procedures. Saving ACT CEO Sean Hodges, Cherry O’Connor, Tegan Mason, Luke Hinchcliffe, Rachael Miles New training equipment was purchased this year The championships provided an excellent learning – trainers and learners enjoyed an additional 3 opportunity for the S.E.A.L.S. and they look forward to defibrillator training units, new Epipen trainers, competing again next year. bandages, asthma training equipment, and the introduction of new Anapen trainers. The purchase of Special thanks go to Canberra Milk, Dickson Aquatic new training laptops and big-screen plasma for viewing Centre and Bowtie Promotions. PowerPoint presentations was also welcomed by all!

The Royal Life Saving ACT training team has recruited a couple of new trainers this year and these individuals, together with existing Royal Life Saving Act trainers, have continued to pursue and participate in a range of professional development opportunities. These have included knowledge extension session via in-house training, mandatory annual skills updates for all trainers, and the Austswim National Aquatic Education conference. The professional development sessions help ensure that all Royal life Saving ACT trainers are as knowledgeable and Towards Competitive Strokes Course September 2010 up-to-date as they can be and able to continue to provide high quality training and assessment services. Rachael Miles, Shane Hillier, Women’s Captain Men’s Captain The Austswim National Aquatic Education Conference was held in conjunction with the Austswim National Awards Presentation Dinner and Royal Life Saving ACT was delighted to support the AIS Swim School as they achieved the prestigious Austswim Swim School of the Year award. Congratulations to Lyn McDermott and her team at the AIS for all their hard work and exceptional nomination submission.

Early in the year Royal Life Saving ACT introduced the ‘Pool-based Instructor’ Award which aimed to provide local Aquatic Facilities with their own qualified in-house trainers to train staff and community groups in non- accredited Royal Life Saving courses. The course was well received by industry. Austswim National Awards Presentation 2010, AIS Swim The number of school-based trainers (teachers) has School winners of AUSTSWIM National Swim School of remained steady this year. Approximately 26 school-based the Year Award. Left to right: Michael Leach (AIS), Sean trainers provided training to over 260 school students Hodges (Royal Life Saving ACT CEO), Lyn McDermott which is fantastic news for the greater community. (AIS Swim School Manager)

12 13 h Health Promotion ealt

Water Safe Communities best captures h h our commitment to ensuring that people everywhere are safe from water-related promotion incidents and accidents. Increasing awareness and skill acquisition in special needs communities across Australia is not a recent passion.

Royal Life Saving has a proud history of developing health promotion programs targeting groups such as: • Children under five (Keep Watch) • Indigenous Communities • Refugees and recent arrivals • Older Australians

Historically our programs have been targeted at saving lives from drowning, but we have always approached this by encouraging safe Ngadyung Program aquatic recreation. The Ngadyung programs was developed to target local Aboriginal Increasingly our skills and expertise are being and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities and involve them used to target groups with special needs. in aquatic recreation and safety focused activities. The program implemented strategies to increase participation rates among local ATSI community members in swimming and lifesaving whilst improving self-esteem, skills and establishing and supporting employment pathways for ATSI people.

To date the Ngadyung program has reached to 40% of the local ATSI community and provided employment opportunities within the aquatic industry to over 20 community members.

A special thanks should go to Brad Bell and Heidi Narine for driving this program, Brad and Heidi were originally employed to run the program however funding run out during 2010/11 and Brad and Heidi have volunteered their time to continue to run the program to ensure local ATSI students don’t miss out on their opportunity to participate in the program.

Keep Watch - Ambassadors Royal LIfe Saving ACT has continued to involve local Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliamant to act as Keep Watch ambassadors. Royal Life Saving ACT would like to thank the following ambassadors: • Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Chief Minister • Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Deputy Chief Minister • Ms Joy Burch MLA, Member for Brindabella • Mr Alistair Coe MLA, Member for Ginninderra • Mr Simon Corbell MLA, Member for Molonglo • Mr Steve Doszpot MLA, Member for Brindabella • Mrs Vicki Dunne MLA, Member for Ginninderra • Mr MLA, Member for Molonglo • Senator , Senator for the ACT • Ms Meredith Hunter MLA, Member for Ginninderra • Senator Kate Lundy, Senator for ACT • Mr Shane Rattenbury MLA, Speaker, Legislative Assembly • Mr MLA, Member for Molonglo • Mr Brendan Smyth MLA, Deputy Can. Liberal Leader • Mr Jon Stanhope MLA, (retired)

15 15 Aquatic Industry Services Austswim

Royal Life Saving provided AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Ensuring the development of safety State of Industry Austswim continues to play a role guidelines and risk management systems of upmost importance within the ACT Water Safety (TSW) training for approximately 180 trainee Swim for all aquatic environments is essential The 2011 Royal Life Saving Australia, State of Industry Report Aquatics Industry. We have seen several Teachers this year and AUSTSWIM Extension training for over 45 utilises the results from Aquatic Facility Safety Assessments (AFSA) more. Participation has increased 12% from last year for TSW in supporting a water safe community. We conducted between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011, this local organisations and school groups Courses and by almost 50% for Extensions. work to improve industry y safety and risk included 186 assessments which were conducted across Australian utilise AUSTSWIM programs and resources management standards. Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, this year and an abundance of first Tasmania and Victoria. time course participants, as well as Teacher of Our key aquatic risk management Infant and Competitive qualification renewals. Swimming Adults activities include: Preschool Strokes 90% of all ACT Public Pools as well as a number of Learn to swim and Water Extension Extension Extension • Guidelines for Safe pool operation and hydrotherapy pools now complete the AFSA every year and as The AUSTSWIM State Advisory Committee Safety a result we have seen a huge improve in our overall mean safety (ASAC) for the ACT meets twice a year • Guidelines for Safe aquatic environments Number of score. In 2007 our mean safety score was 70% which was behind to discuss local issues and pass on local 15 1 2 1 • Swimming pool Safety assessments Courses the National average of 78%, however in 2010/11 our mean information and views to the National • Lifeguarding training systems safety score has increased to 90% which is in front of the National AUSTSWIM branch. The committee is Number of 180 5 35 6 • Management consultancy average of 83%! also responsible for judging state award Participants nominations in all categories. This is a fantastic result for the ACT and indicates that our Aquatic Centres are rated among the safest in the country. Locally Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MaRSS) in Canberra our best areas of improvement have been around supervision, used AUSTSWIM programs to train new swimming teachers from qualifications, in-service training and signage with our safety scores Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds and in these areas continually over 90%. provide a specific women’s only swimming program. This program was extremely popular and we look forward to assisting MaRSS to Once again thank you to everyone for helping make our Aquatic implement this program again next year. Facilities safe and I look forward to finding out the winner of the prestigious ‘Gold Star Aquatic Facility Award’ at our water safety awards in December – I know many centres are working extremely hard to improve their safety scores! Highlights Congratulations to; Swim and Fitness at the AIS for their success in the ‘AUSTSWIM Swim School of the Year’, ‘AUSTSWIM Teacher Community Development of the year – Swimming and Water Safety’ and ‘AUSTSWIM Teacher of the Year – Infant and Preschool Aquatics’ categories. Each year Royal Life Saving ACT works with schools, pools, Further congratulations go to Lyn McDermott for achieving the government, organisations and the community in the provision ACT ‘Outstanding Contribution to Austswim’ Award and to Ben of education and training initiatives. The primary focus of our Cuttriss who took home the Act ‘Presenter of the Year’ Award. education and training programs and services is to ensure each individual participant is equipped with the skills and knowledge to Representatives from the ACT attended the National Water Safety save a life or prevent injury. This commitment provides an extensive Education Conference hosted by AUSTSWIM on the Gold Coast network of first aiders, lifesavers and aquatic experts throughout in July. The conference was indeed educational and provided, as the ACT. The network provides an elevated commitment to safety always, excellent opportunities for networking and developing for children and adults alike. further business relationships. A Community Safety Partners make a significant contribution to AUSTSWIM continues to maintain a strong presence in our local the well-being of individuals within our community. Royal Life pools and swim schools. AUSTSWIM ACT is looking forward to Saving believes this commitment should be recognised. Schools, increasing opportunities for training in AUSTSWIM extension community groups and organisations who complete Royal Life Scrivener Dam courses including additional Infant and Preschool Aquatics Saving ACT programs become a Community Safety Partner. Courses, Adults Courses, People with a Disability Courses and We have urged all our partners to place their Certificate in a Towards Competitive Strokes Courses. prominent place to reflect their participation as a Community Safety Partner. By becoming a Community Safety Partner we are further developing a network of community lifesavers and advocates promoting community safety.

Royal Life Saving would like to thank all schools, organisations and community groups that participated in our courses and programs in 2010/11 and for their ongoing support to the health and safety our children, colleagues and families.

Cherry Bailey and Alicia Cootes

17 16 17 20010/11 Award Figures

Royal Life Saving Award Figures July 10 – June 11 Participants

Water Safety Education (classroom) incl: Water Smart 865 Swim and Survive Wonder (6-36 months) 704 Swim and Survive Swim and Survive Courage (3-5 years) 2145 Swim and Survive Active (5-14 years) 4945 Bronze Star 40 New Issue 472 Bronze Medallion Statement of Attainment 359 New Issue 3 Bronze Cross Statement of Attainment 3 Grey Medallion 35 New Issue 595 Resuscitation Reaccreditation 18 Statement of Attainment 383 New Issue 109 Pool Lifeguard Reaccreditation 131 Statement of Attainment 25 New Issue 925 First Aid Reaccreditation 77 Statement of Attainment 920 Instructor/trainer Assessor 54 Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety 180 AUSTSWIM Instructor Extension Courses 46 RLSSA Partners 8 RLSSA Partner Pools Swim and Survive 3 Aquatic Facility Safety Assessments – Public Pool 9 Swimming Pool Safety Assessments - Home 2

Total 12,056

www.act.royallifesaving.com.au

18 19 Royal Life Saving Society - ACT Unit 1, 26-28 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600 PO Box 266, Deakin ACT 2600 Phone 02 6260 5800 Visit www.act.royallifesaving.com.au