SLSQ MEMORIAL DAY Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) marked the end of its volunteer patrol season on Sunday 27 April with its second annual Memorial Day to farewell those who have lost their lives in the surf this season. Since SLSQ’s annual reporting period commenced on 1 July 2013, there have been six preventable beach-related drownings across the state. Investigations have revealed that all of these deaths occurred at locations away from the red and yellow flags – a worrying statistic that SLSQ is working hard to address moving forward. SLSQ chief executive officer John Brennan OAM said the Memorial Day provided a chance for surf lifesavers across the state to join together and pay their respects to those people, while reflecting on the end of the peak summer season. The annual ceremony is also an opportunity to remember those from within the surf lifesaving family who have passed away throughout the past 12 months.
Mr Brennan said that surf life saving had also lost some of its “family” members this season.
media, members of the community and various other local stakeholders to participate.
Memorial Day provided a chance for surf lifesavers across the state to join together and pay their respects … while reflecting on the end of the peak summer season.
Participating clubs included Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club (Point Danger Branch), Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club (South Coast Branch), Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club (Sunshine Coast Branch), Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club (Wide Bay Capricorn Branch) and Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club (North Barrier Branch).
“This is also an important opportunity to honour their great work and dedication to this cause and a chance for their fellow surf lifesavers to say goodbye.” Five surf life saving clubs from across the state held official ceremonies to mark the occasion and pay their respects, inviting life members, government representatives,
The ceremonies included short speeches to mark the occasion, followed by the laying of a red and yellow wreath at sea by club members and a minute of silence. SLSQ’s Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter performed a fly-over at the Gold and Sunshine Coast ceremonies as a mark of respect.
“Each and every year we strive for zero preventable deaths in Queensland waters but, tragically, this hasn’t occurred this season,” Mr Brennan said. “Six people have drowned on our state’s beaches this season which, as far as we’re concerned, is simply six too many. This means there are six sets of families and friends who will never see their loved ones again. “The most unfortunate part is that all of these drownings occurred outside the red and yellow flagged areas. It really reinforces the need for people to take a moment and think about their personal safety before entering the water at an unpatrolled location,” he said.
BEYOND PATROL | 3