As the 2024/2025 Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) patrol season comes to a close, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of the QAHS Surf Life Saving CAS group. This year, more than 40 students, staff and QAHS alumni dedicated countless hours to keeping our beaches safe through voluntary patrols - a testament to their commitment, resilience and community spirit.
Season Highlights
The season was filled with milestones and meaningful initiatives that extended beyond the patrol flags:
- Bush to Beach Program: QAHS lifesavers proudly supported water safety for the Bush to Beach program, introducing young people from rural communities to ocean safety and surf skills.
- QA Lifesaver Leadership Team: A seven-member leadership team was formed, empowering experienced students to mentor new members, coordinate events and promote lifesaving within the QAHS community.
- Community Engagement with SLSQ: In collaboration with Surf Life Saving Queensland, the QA Lifesavers championed efforts to welcome new members from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, fostering an inclusive lifesaving community. QAHS members are part of SLSQ's Multicultural Communities Engagement Focus Group.
- Media Recognition: SLSQ released a video celebrating the partnership between Mermaid Beach AEME Surf Life Saving Club and QAHS, highlighting the power of education and volunteerism in strengthening community safety. VIDEO LINK HERE and SLSQ Article LINK HERE
- World Surf Life Saving Titles: QAHS volunteers proudly contributed to this prestigious international event hosted on the Gold Coast, gaining valuable experience in event support and showcasing their dedication on a global stage.
- Pathways Through Partnership: Bond University invited QAHS to the World Surf League event, offering insights into career pathways in Allied Health, Sports Science, Event Management and Film, expanding horizons for our future leaders.
- Leadership Inspiration: As part of the QAHS Thrive sessions, record-breaking surf ski paddler and advocate Bonnie Hancock visited the Academy, sharing her journey and encouraging our lifesavers to embrace resilience, leadership and community engagement.
The Statewide Impact
This season, Queensland surf lifesavers collectively logged an extraordinary 317,872 volunteer patrol hours, 109,760 preventative actions, 14,657 first aid treatments and 1,052 rescues. These figures underscore the vital role volunteers play in ensuring the safety of millions of beachgoers.
In a message to all members, Gerard O'Brien, President of Surf Life Saving Queensland, remarked:
"Your service throughout the season has ensured that both locals and visitors felt safe when entering the water. Queensland surf lifesavers continue to play a critical role in protecting lives along our coastline, and your collective efforts this year have once again been outstanding."
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A Community Effort and a Look Ahead
The success of this season reflects the incredible teamwork and leadership within the QAHS Surf Life Saving group. From first-year patrol members to seasoned alumni, every volunteer demonstrated the true spirit of service.
As we look ahead to the 2025/2026 season, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone involved - especially our partners at Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC, Surf Life Saving Queensland and our supportive QAHS community.
We extend a special thank you to Mrs Hudson, who joined the program this season and brought a wealth of experience and guidance to the group. Her support has been instrumental in mentoring our lifesavers and further strengthening our connection to the lifesaving community.
We also look forward to welcoming new members in Semester 2, as we prepare for the new season starting in September 2025. Students interested in joining are encouraged to watch for upcoming information sessions and opportunities to get involved.
Together, the QA Lifesavers have not only safeguarded our beaches but also built a legacy of leadership, inclusion and community impact.
Dion Obst
HOD GLobal Connect