Monday, 20, September 2021
The 2021/22 Surf Life Saving season has officially kicked off with almost 26,500 volunteer lifesavers enlisted to help protect beachgoers from the Central Coast to the Far North Coast this summer.
Newcastle Permanent is a long-term partner of surf life-saving and supports the six branches and 60 clubs that stretch along the east coast of New South Wales, from the Central Coast all the way to the Queensland border.
This season also sees Newcastle Permanent’s partnership with Hunter Surf Life Saving hit an incredible 40 year milestone.
Rhonda Scruton, CEO of Hunter Surf Life Saving said thanks to Newcastle Permanent, the team is equipped and ready for the coming summer month.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure the necessary COVID-19 plans are in place, and that our volunteers have the equipment and training they need, for our beaches to stay open and safe this summer.
“In one of our most challenging years, this would not have been possible without the help of our long-term partner, Newcastle Permanent,” she said.
Newcastle Permanent CEO, Bernadette Inglis, said the organisations shared community values had stood the test of time.
“As a customer-owned organisation, we’re passionate about supporting local community groups, and 40 years of partnership with Hunter Surf Life Saving is testament to that.
“Along with the equipment and training they need, we’re continuing to provide for the recruitment, training and retention of junior Hunter surf lifesavers, ensuring a pipeline of volunteers into the future.”
“I would like to acknowledge all the amazing volunteer surf life savers, who together last year completed 80 rescues on our beaches. You are doing an amazing service for our community and we feel privileged to work with you” she said.
Every year, Newcastle Permanent invests almost $1.5 million through its community partnerships, employee donations, volunteering and fundraising programs to support community organisations such as Surf Live Saving.