Published Tuesday, 06 March, 2007 at 07:05 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER HOSTS ‘YEAR OF THE LIFESAVER’ AWARDS CELBRATION
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie tonight congratulated Surf Life Saving Queensland’s (SLSQ’s) top award winners who were announced at a special reception at Parliament House.
Mr Beattie hosted the reception to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the lifesaving movement in Australia and he presented a $55,000 cheque to SLSQ to support its commemorative activities.
“Our surf life savers do a terrific job – they patrol our beaches, save lives and their clubs play an important role in training young Queenslanders about leadership and safety in the surf,” Mr Beattie said.
“Life saving is synonymous with Queensland, with our world-class beaches and our outdoor lifestyle.
“I pay tribute to the tireless efforts of these volunteer women, men and youngsters who are this year celebrating an important milestone in the movement’s history, with this being the 2007 Year of the Surf Life Saver.”
Mr Beattie congratulated Dave McLean (Marcoola SLSC) for receiving the 2007 Surf Lifesaver of the Year award, Mark Fife (Broadbeach) who won the 2007 Volunteer of the Year award, and Paul Barker (Mackay region) who was recognised as the 2007 Lifeguard of the Year.
Also receiving accolades tonight was the 2007 Club of the Year – Alexandra Headland. It carried out volunteer patrols for more than 114 days in the past year, has made a valuable contribution to its sports program and youth development.
Mr Beattie said last weekend, rips and wild seas threatened the lives of swimmers all along Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches.
“As always our volunteer surf life savers were on duty to protect the public,” he said.
“They performed 127 rescues – 87 on the Gold Coast and 40 on the Sunshine Coast. That’s eight times more than an average weekend.
“Since July 1 last year, our surf lifesavers have performed 1,312 rescues.
“It’s a fantastic record of achievement and I am delighted to host this evening’s reception and acknowledge the dedication and community spirit that underpins the work of Surf Lifesaving Australia.”
March 6, 2007
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
SLSQ Lauren Ryan 0402 162 807
Mr Beattie hosted the reception to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the lifesaving movement in Australia and he presented a $55,000 cheque to SLSQ to support its commemorative activities.
“Our surf life savers do a terrific job – they patrol our beaches, save lives and their clubs play an important role in training young Queenslanders about leadership and safety in the surf,” Mr Beattie said.
“Life saving is synonymous with Queensland, with our world-class beaches and our outdoor lifestyle.
“I pay tribute to the tireless efforts of these volunteer women, men and youngsters who are this year celebrating an important milestone in the movement’s history, with this being the 2007 Year of the Surf Life Saver.”
Mr Beattie congratulated Dave McLean (Marcoola SLSC) for receiving the 2007 Surf Lifesaver of the Year award, Mark Fife (Broadbeach) who won the 2007 Volunteer of the Year award, and Paul Barker (Mackay region) who was recognised as the 2007 Lifeguard of the Year.
Also receiving accolades tonight was the 2007 Club of the Year – Alexandra Headland. It carried out volunteer patrols for more than 114 days in the past year, has made a valuable contribution to its sports program and youth development.
Mr Beattie said last weekend, rips and wild seas threatened the lives of swimmers all along Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches.
“As always our volunteer surf life savers were on duty to protect the public,” he said.
“They performed 127 rescues – 87 on the Gold Coast and 40 on the Sunshine Coast. That’s eight times more than an average weekend.
“Since July 1 last year, our surf lifesavers have performed 1,312 rescues.
“It’s a fantastic record of achievement and I am delighted to host this evening’s reception and acknowledge the dedication and community spirit that underpins the work of Surf Lifesaving Australia.”
March 6, 2007
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
SLSQ Lauren Ryan 0402 162 807