A program to recruit representatives from diverse communities across Western Sydney into surf lifesaving could also be applied in areas like Wollongong, the city's mayor says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As the official summer patrol season kicks off on Saturday, Garie Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) says it desperately needs more volunteer lifesavers.
In an effort to recruit more members, they are launching a program to attract people from diverse communities across Western Sydney.
The beaches in Sydney's Royal National Park are attracting an increasing number of beach-goers looking to escape the summer heat.
Attracting volunteer lifesavers to patrol these remote beaches can, however, be challenging.
The club says Garie Beach, Wattamolla Beach and the Figure 8 Pools in the Royal National Park are all seeing increased beach attendance - particularly from Western Sydney residents.
"Every summer we're seeing more people from Western Sydney coming to Garie," Garie SLSC president Brad Taylor said.
During peak times, Wollongong's beaches are also often heavily populated by Western Sydney visitors.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery noted that some visiting Western Sydney residents weren't educated in basic surf safety.
Cr Bradbery praised the Garie club's initiative, and said bringing representatives from culturally and linguistically diverse communities into surf lifesaving could be beneficial for Wollongong.
"A lot of those cultures don't know what a beach or surf is really about," he said.
"They come from a part of the world where they haven't encountered the surf, and more specifically what conditions we have in this part of the world.
"A lot of those communities could benefit in terms of having people engage with surf lifesaving and take the message back.
"We need people with cultural sensitivities to introduce them to surf safety.
"So it's something that has got benefits, not only to supplement the club with volunteers, but also to get the message back to those communities through people with the appropriate language and cultural skills about surf safety."
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
