City aquatic centre celebrates water safety award
MILNE Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre has received a national award for its commitment to water safety.
The Toowoomba swimming centre proudly accepted the Excellence in Aquatic Safety - Public Messaging and Education award at the National Aquatic Industry Safety Awards.
The awards are an initiative of the National Aquatic Industry Safety committee to acknowledge the achievements of aquatic facilities and individuals towards improving health and safety outcomes within their communities.
Royal Life Saving Society Australia national manager aquatic industry Craig Roberts said they were celebrating the excellent work being done by individuals and organisations.
“Our goal is to motivate people within the industry to increase the level of safety for their community, cultivating an environment where health and safety initiatives are continually being reviewed and developed,” Mr Roberts said.
“Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre were recognised for their work in developing two innovative water safety programs; the Just One campaign and Down’s Little Lifeguards.”
When the Toowoomba region was faced with the emerging issue of drownings in its area, the team at Milne Bay wanted to make a change.
Together with local businesses, in early 2014 the Just One campaign was launched.
Their message was simple. By following one of these key actions, you can save a life. These actions are supervision, CPR course, first aid course, taking a minute to think, checking your boat’s safety equipment, checking the safety gate, enrolling in swimming lessons and remembering to tell someone what you are doing.
From the Just One campaign came the evolution of Downs Little Lifeguards.
Down Little Lifeguards is a hands-on and practical drowning prevention program, educating both children and their parents about water safety.
The fun and interactive program is centred around inland waterways, educating participants about hidden dangers, survival swimming, safe recreation and lifesaving skills.
The awards recognised significant contributions to aquatic safety in six different categories.
As part of the judging process finalists were filmed and a highlight video was produced to showcase their work in the community.
Award winners are being announced through a staggered online media launch, with the successful individuals and facilities broadcast on the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Facebook page alongside their video consecutively over two weeks until tomorrow.
To find out all category winners and watch their videos go to the Royal Life Saving Facebook page.