Life Saving Victoria marks 30-year Australian Water Safety Education Centre partnership

Life Saving Victoria and the City of Greater Dandenong recently celebrated the significant contributions that the Australian Water Safety Education Centre has made toward public pool safety by marking the 30th anniversary of the centre’s establishment.

Thirty years ago, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Victoria Branch [RLSSA-V – now Life Saving Victoria (LSV)] took a step in a new direction, entering a partnership with the City of Dandenong to manage the operations of the Dandenong Oasis Indoor Aquatic Leisure Centre, and establish the Australian Water Safety Education Centre (AWSEC). (The Dandenong Oasis aquatic facility is now managed by the YMCA).

City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Angela Long joined LSV President Paul James and a number of previous RLSSA-V staff members and volunteers on Monday 25th January, including Clive Patrickson, former Chairman of AWSEC and Norman Farmer, former State Secretary and volunteer Board member of AWSEC, to mark the occasion.

Established on 26th January, 1991 the centre provided a practical environment for RLSSA-V to develop and refine best practice pool safety guidelines and lifeguard training.

This approach played a significant role in connecting RLSSA-V with the aquatic industry and positioning the organisation at the forefront of developing industry best practice.

The centre also celebrated the Centenary of the Royal Life Saving Society in Australia in 1994, by hosting both the National and Asia-Pacific Lifesaving Championships at Dandenong Oasis, which were attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, President of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth.

LSV President Paul James said that it was an important occasion to celebrate the progress that has been made in aquatic safety over the past 30 years.

James notes “today LSV is recognised as a key pillar in the aquatic industry and this has been built on the foundations established by the AWSEC.

“Swimming and water safety skills are a critical component in drowning prevention.

“With more than 560 public pools in Victoria, attracting more than 70 million visits each year, swimming and aquatic recreation provides a lifetime heath contribution estimated at $1.1 billion.”

Mayor Long said that the council was proud to have been a partner in RLSSA-V’s venture to improve aquatic safety adding “many swimmers who visit our pools did not grow up in and around water, but they can feel safe knowing there are expert eyes watching over them. This dates back to the establishment of the Australian Water Safety Education Centre and the role they played in establishing clear safety guidelines for aquatic facilities.

“The City of Greater Dandenong is proud to have been the home of AWSEC and to have worked in partnership with the RLSSA-V to help make great changes in the field of pool safety. Their legacy lives on today.”

Key achievements and events during the operating period of the AWSEC include:

• August 1991 – Publication of the 1st edition of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation

• 1992 – Publication of the 1st edition of Lifeguarding – The Manual

• 1994 – Centenary of the Royal Life Saving Society in Australia with both the National and Asia-Pacific Lifesaving Championships held at the Dandenong Oasis, attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, President of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth.

• July 1996 – Publication of the 2nd edition of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (2021 is 25th anniversary)

• Late 1996 – Promotion of Safety Risk Management and Safety Assessments for Swimming Pools

Life Saving Victoria was established in 2002 as an initiative of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Victoria Branch (est. 1904) and Surf Life Saving Victoria (est. 1947), to create a single peak agency in the state for water safety that is recognised by the Victorian Government. For more information visit lsv.com.au 

Image: City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Angela Long joined LSV President Paul James and a number of previous RLSSA-V staff members and volunteers on Monday 25th January, including Clive Patrickson, former Chairman of AWSEC and Norman Farmer, former State Secretary and volunteer Board member of AWSEC, to mark the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the he Australian Water Safety Education Centre