Census Is a Surf Life Saver
by Sean O'Connell
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics is playing an important part in a new training initiative created by Surf Life Saving Australia.
Since 1910 when the then Surf Bathing Association of NSW (SBANSW) awarded its first eight Bronze Medallions to surf lifesavers from Coogee and Bondi clubs, the organisation has provided high-level education and training for its members.
In 2006, Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA – as SBANSW is now known) issued more than 60,000 awards, ranging for the Bronze Medallion to Rescue Helicopter Crew Certificates.
In May 2006, the Australian Government announced a $10 million grant to SLSA for the creation of an Australian Lifesaving Academy (ALA). The objective of the funding is to align SLSA awards to related qualifications within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) System.
The ALA is a major project that will manage the development and promotion of the resources required to deliver these qualifications. In addition, the ALA is set to become financially self-sufficient when the funding allocation expires in 2009-10, requiring the ALA to promote its range of training products within the highly competitive commercial market.
According to Chris Davis, National Academy Manager, the use of credible statistics on everything from demographics to education and training, is one of the keys to the future success of the Academy.
“We are using ABS statistics as one of the foundations of our business plans, giving us real insight into what has happened and what is likely to happen in this field in the coming years,” he says.
SLSA also uses Census population data which record population shifts to coastal areas, to provide the optimum level of surf lifesaving services as part of their ongoing campaign to reduce coastal drowning deaths.
For the public, the success of the Australian Lifesaving Academy will be felt through better trained surf lifesavers and ultimately safer beaches. |
This page first published 13 March 2007, last updated 14 March 2007 | 
