AUSSIE ICONS GET RED CARPET TREATMENT FROM VIPS

Queensland’s true heroes – our surf lifesavers - will soon be backed by some of the state’s most notable VIPs, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

Mrs Keech officially launched the Surf Lifesaving Queensland Ambassador program at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Brisbane.

She said some of Queensland’s best-known figures would be named ambassadors for surf livesaving under the scheme.

“The Ambassador program will be a great support to the 59 clubs and 28,000 volunteers around the State who rise to the daily challenges of keeping our beaches safe for locals and visitors alike,” Mrs Keech said.

“In this Year of the Lifesaver, I am delighted to be championing such a great cause.

“I will be inviting a select group Queensland’s top public and industry figures to join me in showing their commitment to surf lifesaving.

“The Ambassadors will be officially announced later this year in line with the start of the summer season, when our summer visitor safety campaign begins.

“Golden beaches and magnificent stretches of coastal blue seas are synonymous with Queensland’s image as a warm and relaxed outdoor destination.

“However, as we know only too well, our beaches can be treacherous, particularly for international visitors who don’t understand the dangers.

“ A matter of seconds in the water can turn to tragedy for the unaware.

“Of the 88 people who have drowned in the past seven years, 39 were international visitors.

“Getting the message out to our visitors, particularly Asian visitors, has been a primary aim of Surf Lifesaving Queensland.

“The Beattie Government takes its commitment to visitor safety seriously.

“We work at both state and federal levels to protect the wellbeing of both domestic and international visitors to Queensland, with beach safety a key theme of those visitor safety programs.

“The SLSQ Ambassador program strengthens the work already being done in support of visitor safety with tourism partners such as Tourism Queensland, QTIC and Regional Tourism Organisations.”

Media contacts: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 or Louise Yates (Tourism Queensland) 3535 5349 / 0419 713 176.