Becoming part of the Commonwealth

Becoming part of the Commonwealth

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is an iconic organisation that has been saving lives since 1907. SLSA is Australia's major water safety and rescue authority and is one of the largest volunteer based organisations. We have more than 165,820 members, with 28.5% of members being active patrolling surf lifesavers. The total estimated economic value of SLSA's coastal drowning and injury prevention is $3.6 billion. It is clear that SLSA‘s impact goes far beyond saving lives in the water. The work that volunteers do to promote a healthy, inclusive, clean, family lifestyle throughout Australian communities is far greater than just the hours spent volunteering. SLSA members are actively building community and creating social connections with other SLSA members and beachgoers that build our society. In fact, we exist 'To save lives, create great Australians and build better communities' but how do we do this? And importantly, how do we measure this important social contribution? Whilst many have measured the economic value of their services, the true value of a service can only be fully realised when the wider impacts and ‚spillover effects‘ that providing that service has on the community is fully understood. Usually an attempt to convey these are made by most through the identification of broader activities such community education, training provided to members/public, engagement of youth and general development of 'good' people. Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to identify and value activities contributing towards SLSA's social contribution to the wider community. In doing so a potential method and model of social impact at the meso level for community based organisations in Australia has been developed. This research has defined SLSA's social capital and human capital contribution to the wider community through individuals (volunteers) and the organisational itself. It describes contributions through aspects of personal belonging; development of citizenship values; giving back to the community; connections with other local community organisations; meaningful networks; advancement of human capital through training, team and leadership skills.
The presentation will further explore the results of the work with UTS clearly demonstrating the broader value and importance of lifesaving service organisations beyond saving lives. It will define the broader and invaluable impact of a lifesaving service has on the community and in building disaster resilient communities.

© DLRG
The World Conference on Drowning Prevention has additional objectives that include:

Strengthening recognition of ILS as the leader in the quest to reduce drowning in a lifesaving, public health, international development, water safety education, lifesaving sport and aquatic disaster management context.

Delivering a global conference in a way that exposes participants to the specific issues that contribute to drowning in developing countries including:
Rural community drowning and prevention
Transportation/occupational related drowning and prevention
Aquatic disaster related drowning and prevention
Tourism-related drowning and prevention.
Providing a world water safety conference that attracts participants from:
Lifesaving related agencies from across the globe
International, regional and country based public health agencies
Water safety leaders and practitioners from developed and developing nations, men and women, English and non-English speaking backgrounds
A range of strategically critical disciplines; e.g. professional and volunteer lifesavers, educators, researchers, health promoters.
Conducting a world water safety conference in a way that fosters ILS collaborative relations with:

Targeted international, regional and national agencies including WHO, UNICEF, UNISDR and UNESCO
Non-government organisations including TASC and Red Cross/Red Crescent Society
Government and bilateral agencies (i.e. governmental agencies in a single country which provide aid to developing counties)
International, regional and national public health agencies
International, regional and national drowning prevention and lifesaving research institutions
Organisations that teach swimming and water safety.
Utilising the conference (pre and post) to:

Maximise the growth of the regional capacities of ILS, ILS Members Federations and collaborating partners across the full spectrum of ILS strategic interest.
Facilitating the incorporation of ILS Commission, Committee and Task Groups work plans into the conference planning and complementary activities that may include workshops, field trips and pre-conference training and education activities.