Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Clubs banded together in pink on the weekend to celebrate female leadership in lifesaving.
Pink Patrols are a club-led initiative that aims to acknowledge and celebrate the many contributions women past and present have played in lifesaving, and showcase operational and leadership capabilities of women and girls.
This year for the first time, Pink Patrols were held at lifesaving clubs and aquatic facilities across the state, with 36 host clubs and 16 aquatic facilities taking part in a coordinated Pink Patrol on 19 February.
Point Lonsdale SLSC’s Jessica Robinson said that the initiative is all about
acknowledging everyone’s achievements and the progression in lifesaving.
“Pink Patrol is a celebration of how far women have come, what opportunities can unfold, how powerful we are as a collective,” Ms Robinson said.
“Our day kicked off with an outdoor morning tea and included activities that were designed to spark conversation of what Pink Patrol means to each of the participants, followed by a 15-person patrol with both new and old volunteers.
“The day embraced what our club is all about- working together to keep our beaches safe.”
Life Saving Victoria’s board director of membership and leadership development Rebecca Schot-Guppy said the day involved all-women or women-led lifesaving patrols showcasing
the capacity and capability of women and girls in leadership roles.
“Pink Patrols are an initiative that started at a grass roots level and have built up momentum, the movement is continuing to go from strength to strength,” Ms Schot-Guppy said.
“If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. We know that representation is key and our hope is that this positive role modelling of women in leadership roles, will inspire and empower future generations of women and girls, to confidently pursue opportunities in lifesaving, aquatics and beyond.
“We encourage other clubs, aquatic facilities and organisations from the broader community to challenge themselves to undertake a shift, a patrol, a meeting, whatever it may be, with a full cohort of women and empower other women to do the same.”
