Our region’s beaches are a huge part of what makes living here so special.
Our coastal lifestyle is a major drawcard for residents and tourists alike, and it’s a lifestyle we can enjoy safely thanks to the incredible work of our lifeguards.
Our lifesaving clubs are pillars of our communities, advocating for our safety and wellbeing every single day.
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club (OGSLSC) presentation night.
It was gratifying to see the efforts of the club’s volunteers recognised.
OGSLSC, like other surf lifesaving clubs, is a community service organisation that runs almost entirely on the tireless efforts of its members.
They contribute countless hours to patrolling our beaches and ensuring our coast is a safe space for everyone to enjoy.
Without their vigilance, our easy, breezy beach lifestyle simply wouldn’t be possible.
OGSLSC is an institution here in Ocean Grove and is steeped in more than 70 years of rich history.
Formed in 1948 following a citizen’s rescue of a young girl at Ocean Grove Main Beach, the club has grown to boast more than 2000 members today.
It’s always inspiring to see this membership base and our wider community come together to support essential fundraising efforts with events like the Rip to River, Ocean Swim and their annual Open Day.
It’s equally thrilling to see the OGSLSC championing inclusion and accessibility for beachgoers. The City of Greater Geelong is proud to partner with the club on these important initiatives.
Earlier this year, we partnered with the club to provide an accessible beach wheelchair for public use at Ocean Grove Main Beach.
The MobiChair allows individuals with limited mobility to fully experience the joy of our beaches, from the sand right into the water.
This is the third of these chairs in our region, with others stationed at Eastern Beach and the Indented Head Boat Club.
On the shore, OGSLSC is also becoming a more accessible space with a new changing places facility that opened to the public earlier this month.
Supported by Barwon Coast Committee of Management and state government funding, this new facility will mean even more people will get to enjoy our Main Beach.
Further inland, our pool lifeguards are making the water safer for the entire community.
At the City we employ 216 lifeguards across our seven indoor and outdoor Swim Sport and Leisure centres.
In the past financial year, some 2.3 million visitors passed through these venues, and were able to enjoy a fun day at the water thanks to our lifeguards’ vigilant attention and care for our community.
These lifeguards play a crucial role in preventing accidents and making pool time fun.
Whether they are patrolling our beaches or supervising visitors at our pools, lifeguards always put our safety and wellbeing first.
As the weather starts to warm up and we make our return to the water, I urge you to take some time to reflect on the efforts of our lifeguards.
Your safety is their top priority, so please treat them with the respect and appreciation they deserve.
