Life Saving Services
Director of Life Saving Services | Max Eldridge
Season 2019/2020 has been an interesting one. We have developed as a club, gone through changes as a Life Saving Services Team and ensured we maintain a fantastic operational service.
This season saw our patrols cut short due to the Covid-19 crisis. However, this did not stop us from having a bumper peak season. We have dealt, once again, with the tragedies and rewards of our work. Thankfully, this season proved ‘quieter’ for major incidents. Something that I am sure we are all happy to see.
We have shrunk our patrolling groups this season to 5 core patrolling teams, rather than 6. Which saw increased pressure on our patrols for more patrolling days per team. But, in true Wooli fashion, this challenge was taken on and dealt with well. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Patrol Captains and Vice Captains for their work and support of me. Annie Coleman and Campbell Smart led this change as our Club Vice Captains with fantastic success!
The equipment team has continued to provide an outstanding and prepared operational capacity to our patrols, events, and lifeguards throughout the season. I cannot thank them enough for being so proactive, efficient, and effective. Thank you to Jay Haig, Jesse Heymann, Terry Aslanidis, Campbell Smart, Bonny Dickie, and Will Slator for your work in this area. This group of fine individuals made my job a lot easier.
This year we officially recorded 3747 Preventative Actions, an attendance of just short of 11,000 people and 9 rescues by our volunteers. That is 9 people who would not have gone home to their families without our intervention. Our reporting of these events is an area we need to improve on. As we all know we conduct many out of hours rescues, often when we are sitting on the balcony of an evening enjoying the sunset. These all count towards our service and I would encourage all members to, if you see these events unfold, ensure they are officially recorded with LSV. This in turn leads to stronger arguments for us in future funding programs.
Although our social calendar was cut short, once again the Woolamai family rallied. Particularly when it came to raising funds for our Surf Life Saving brothers and sisters at Mallacoota SLSC. Thanks to Ellie Ryan and Will Slator for championing this work. Although progress in fitting out the Caravan has been slowed due to the Covid-19 situation, the Caravan will be delivered to Mallacoota SLSC for next season.
This year saw the expansion of patrols at Smiths Beach and the creation of the Smithsonian’s patrol, ably led by Jason Close and Mark Bain. This group of Adult Bronzies has complemented and supported our work at Smiths Beach and provided relief to our patrols at Woolamai as well. Thank you.
Our Offshore Rescue Service (RWCs), capably led by Alan Hailes, has changed this season. The equipment and Jet Skis are now provided by LSV, but we continue to provide our team of experienced operators to run the service. This ensured that many individuals, including a young mum and daughter, found floating in the middle of Western Port Bay, returned safely to their families.
This season has been one of renewal and preparation for the Life Saving Services Team as we ensure that we are ready to meet future demands. We have purchased more and more first aid equipment, something that we continue to go through a lot of, new Rescue Boards and many other items of new equipment. A new IRB and Motors have been ordered to replace some of our aging fleet and we are seeking grants for continued improvement to our equipment storage capabilities.
Much of my focus this season has been on the well-being of our members. I can report confidentially that we are far better at this than we have been in previous years. Sadly, we get to much practice at responding to the well-being of our people at points of crisis. But that is the nature of the beast we deal with. I would encourage all members to ensure they reach out to senior members of the club when they need too. Look out for your mates and generally just be the decent human beings you all are too each other. We are stronger when we work as one.
I would like to thank all members for putting their faith in me as Club Captain (Director- Life Saving Services) for the past three seasons. My intention is to step away from this role at the AGM. I firmly believe that healthy renewal and change in the role is key to our ongoing success. I will remain as a guide and tutor to my successor but will be glad to take a break from the continual and demanding job of Director- Life Saving Services. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve in this role.
Be safe, well and I will see you soon!
Club Captain- out!
Max