Thirty years ago, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Victoria Branch (RLSSA-V – now Life Saving Victoria) took a step in a new direction, entering a partnership with the City of Dandenong to manage the operations of the Dandenong Oasis Indoor Aquatic Leisure Centre, and establish the Australian Water Safety Education Centre (AWSEC).
This week Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and the City of Greater Dandenong celebrated the significant contributions that the AWSEC made toward public pool safety by marking the 30th anniversary of the centre’s establishment.
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Cr Angela Long joined LSV President Paul James and a number of previous RLSSA-V staff members and volunteers on Monday 25 January, including Clive Patrickson, former chairman of AWSEC and Norman Farmer AM ESM, former state secretary and volunteer board member of AWSEC, to mark the occasion.
Established on 26 January 1991 the centre provided a practical environment for RLSSA-V to develop and refine best practice pool safety guidelines and lifeguard training.
This approach played a significant role in connecting RLSSA-V with the aquatic industry and positioning the organisation at the forefront of developing industry best practice.
During its operation AWSEC marked many achievements in water safety, including:
Key achievements and events during the operating period of the AWSEC included:
– August 1991 – Publication of the first edition of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation
– 1992 – Publication of the first edition of Lifeguarding – The Manual
– July 1996 – Publication of the second edition of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation
– Late 1996 – Promotion of Safety Risk Management and Safety Assessments for Swimming Pools
The centre also celebrated the Centenary of the Royal Life Saving Society in Australia in 1994, by hosting both the National and Asia-Pacific Lifesaving Championships at Dandenong Oasis, which were attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, President of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth.
LSV President Paul James said that it was an important occasion to celebrate the progress that has been made in aquatic safety over the past 30 years.
“Today LSV is recognised as a key pillar in the aquatic industry and this has been built on the foundations established by the AWSEC,” he said.
“Swimming and water safety skills are a critical component in drowning prevention.
“With more than 560 public pools in Victoria, attracting more than 70 million visits each year, swimming and aquatic recreation provides a lifetime heath contribution estimated at $1.1 billion.”
Mayor Long said that the council was proud to have been a partner in RLSSA-V’s venture to improve aquatic safety.
“Many swimmers who visit our pools did not grow up in and around water, but they can feel safe knowing there are expert eyes watching over them. This dates back to the establishment of the Australian Water Safety Education Centre and the role they played in establishing clear safety guidelines for aquatic facilities.
The City of Greater Dandenong is proud to have been the home of AWSEC and to have worked in partnership with the RLSSA-V to help make great changes in the field of pool safety. Their legacy lives on today.”
Dandenong Oasis is now managed by the YMCA, after the partnership with RLSSA-V ended in 2006.
