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Mildura Lifesaving Club seeks more volunteers

Posted on February 10, 2012

By VINNIE RODI

THE Mildura Lifesaving Club is on a mission to recruit more volunteers, with the call going out to all those interested in becoming lifesavers to “join up.”

ON A MISSION: Breanna Mazzini (left) and Olivia Ganz, both 15, are among a small band of Mildura lifesavers patrolling popular Apex Park beach.

In a rebuilding phase following last year’s widespread flooding – which resulted in Apex Park (or more accurately the Park’s popular sandbar) being left completely under water – the Mildura Lifesaving Club has endured a tough time of late, with membership numbers down, and the club’s regular activities virtually coming to a standstill for the past 12 months

Fortunately, all that is set to change, with Apex Park back to its former glory, and the Mildura Life Saving Club keen to recommence its regular activities.

“It’s certainly been a frustrating 12 months,” club secretary, Nola Blance, said. “Last year’s flooding basically left us with nowhere to patrol, and nowhere to train new members.

“As a result our membership numbers are significantly lower this year, with only seven lifesavers currently on board.

“Another negative of last year’s floods was that we were unable to train any new members, which means we are now unable to patrol Apex Park this season.

“The floods have essentially put us two years behind where we should be, which is why we’re determined to attract as many new members as possible, and start preparing for what we hope will be a busy 2012/13 season.”

Labelled as a fun initiative for locals to become involved with, Nola said all interested volunteers would be taught a range of skills, including first aid, life saving skills, radio communication and boating skills.

Associated with Life Saving Victoria, the Mildura Life Saving Club prides itself on preventing aquatic-related death and injury at its main patrol area – Apex Park – while also volunteering at a number of community events around Sunraysia.

The group’s vision includes providing the community with an opportunity to learn water safety and swimming and resuscitation, with all volunteers expected to dedicate their time to training and patrolling.

Members are not limited to active lifesaving, with the club also offering a variety of skilled opportunities in support roles such as administrative support, coaching and officiating, water safety education training (classroom and water-based), monitoring gear and equipment maintenance, and training and assessment.

Lifesaving also offers awards and certificates in resuscitation (basic and advanced), first aid and power craft vehicles, and is an activity that cater for all ages, with 13 the minimum age to become an active lifesaver.

Two main lifesaving awards exist for all volunteers, with the first, the Surf Rescue Certificate, requiring lifeguards to be at least 13-years-old on the date of final assessment, while also having already completed a 200 metre swim in five minutes in a pool or open water.

The second award, the Surf Lifesaving Bronze Medallion, requires lifeguards to be at least 15-years-old when completing final assessment, while also having completed a 400 metre swim in nine minutes in a pool or open water.

Nola encouraged all interested locals to express an interest, saying the benefits were manifold.

“Not only are you offering a community service, but the opportunities to learn new skills are numerous,” she said.

More information on how to become a Mildura Lifesaving Club volunteer is available by contacting club president, Greg Rhodes on 0409 516 628 or Nola Blance on 0403 792 688.

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