Royal Life Saving Society WA honours career achievements

Royal Life Saving Society - Western Australia has honoured a range of industry achievements at its Annual General Meeting, presenting Fellowships and Life Memberships to its community.

As part of the evening, David Cummins and Mark Gubanyi, both current members of Royal Life Saving Society WA’s Board of Directors, were recognised for their contribution to furthering the aims and objects of the Society.

The pair received Honours from Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA), presented by RLSSA Board Member Cameron Eglington.

A Director of Royal Life Saving Society WA since 2007, leading the establishment and formation of the WA Honours and Awards Committee in 2012, and acting as its Chairperson since, Cummins was appointed an Associate of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia.

Cummins was also instrumental in the development of Royal Life Saving Society WA 2020 Strategic Plan and the revision of its constitution in 2015, to ensure it complied with changes to the Incorporated Associations Act and embraced contemporary governance standards.

He has also applied his professional expertise in advertising, and networks in the media industry to assist Royal Life Saving to better promote its various campaigns.

During a 40-year involvement in the aquatics industry, Cummins has served as President of Masters Swimming WA from 1987-1992, been a member of Masters Swimming Australia’s Board for 20 years, and served as Chairman of the 1999 Pan Pacific Masters Swimming Championships. He has also chaired many State, National and Masters Games Championships.

Mark Gubanyi was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, having served the organisation as a Keep Watch Ambassador since 2004. Gubanyi is actively involved in advocacy work, conducts presentations and was a key member of the highly successful Swim Across Australia.

Gubanyi also became a Director of Royal Life Saving Society WA in 2014, where his drive has resulted in the establishment of grief support services, peer-to-peer networks and direct ‘help’ grants to people coping with the impact of drowning.

The AGM also saw long-time Board member Jeff Fondacaro nominated as a Life Member of Royal Life Saving Society WA.

During more than 10 years continuous service, Fondacaro has lead the Society’s engagement with 130 public swimming pools throughout WA, which collectively have an annual patronage in excess of 10 million people. He has also provided expertise in the development of the Society’s Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation and risk management services, advocated for the inclusion of the Pool Lifeguard Award as the industry standard in public aquatic centres, championed the implementation of the Watch Around Water Parental Supervision Program, and directly contributed to the successful implementation of vocational training in safe pool operations.

Fondacaro maintains a strong network and has collaborated with sport and recreation industry leaders, he’s also assisted in the promotion of the Swim & Survive program to endorsed swim schools in public aquatic centres across the state.

Over the past 10 years public swimming pool compliance to safety standards has increased from 83% to 93%. The rate of injuries has decreased by over 25%, and there has been no drowning in public pools over that period.

A statement from Royal Life Saving Society WA explained “this can in large part be attributed to Fondacaro’s tireless work in promoting safety across the industry.”

Fondacaro is also President of the Leisure Institute of Western Australia (LIWA) Aquatics.

Click here to view Royal Life Saving Society WA’s 2016/17 Annual Report.

Images: Award winners (top) and Jeff Fondacaro receives his individual award (below). Images courtesy of Royal Life Saving Society WA.

12th Janaury 2017 - ROYAL LIFE SAVING LOOKS TO PREVENT DROWNING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S MIGRANT POPULATION

16th December 2016 - WATCH AROUND WATER GETS SEASON LAUNCH

7th December 2016 - KEEP WATCH PROGRAM MARKS 20 YEARS AND AN 85% REDUCTION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S TODDLER DROWNING RATE

19th November 2016 - ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY WA HIGHLIGHTS RISK OF ALCOHOL AND AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS

16th November 2016 - LIWA AQUATICS WINS WATER CORPORATION AWARD FOR WATER EFFICIENCY LEADERSHIP

8th November 2016 - SWIMMING POOLS IN REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES PROVIDE HEALTH AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

9th March 2016 - LIWA AQUATICS TO PRESENT NEW WATCH AROUND WATER ‘FACILITY OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

17th August 2015 - SWIM AND SURVIVE PROGRAM TO AID THOSE THAT MISS OUT ON WATER SAFETY SKILLS

9th August 2016 - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SWIMMING PROGRAMS ENGAGE CALD WOMEN