Surf Life Saving Queensland Magazine JOHN, LET’S START AT THE BEGINNING, HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY IN LIFESAVING BEGIN? I actually joined when I was 8, prompted by my grandmother’s encouragement. My grandfather was a champion lifesaver in Victoria, and one weekend, my grandmother decided it was time for me to join the local surf club. So off we went to Brighton SLSC, where I was introduced to one of the older Members, he asked if I could swim, and before you knew it, I was swimming around Brighton jetty, a good 400-meter swim (not bad for an 8-year-old!). Despite feeling a bit apprehensive, I completed it and went on to participate in Nippers the following weekend. That marked the beginning of my 47-year journey in lifesaving. SPEAKING OF RESCUES, CAN YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST RESCUE? Yes, my first rescue holds a vivid place in my memory. It occurred at Brighton Beach, where a young girl had badly dislocated her shoulder after jumping off the jetty. As a youngster at the time, I remember feeling a mix of adrenaline and determination as I paddled out on a rescue board to assist her. It was a crucial moment where I had to rely on my training and instincts to keep her afloat and safely bring her back to shore, a moment I won’t forget easily. YOU STARTED AS A NIPPER AND ENDED UP AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANISATION! TALK US THROUGH THE PATHWAY. The great thing about lifesaving is it offers a multitude of pathways, and I’ve explored many of them. Initially, I was an active Nipper and competitor. A significant moment for me was when I got selected for the beach relay squad, which led me to my first Aussie titles in 1984. Over the years, I then transitioned to surf boats and spent around 20 years competing as both a rower and a sweep. There is something so special about surf boats, they are a great social leveller. You can be sharing a boat with a lawyer, policeman and plumber – and all become your best mates. This dual involvement led me to participate in various state and national championships, achieving success in both beach and boat events. Eventually, in the mid-’90s, I was encouraged to stand for club captain, followed by a role as Director of Lifesaving services in South Australia. This experience opened my eyes to the power of our federation and the impact of our collective membership. Alongside these roles, I joined the South Australian Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, where I have just completed my 30th season. After a brief hiatus due to family
commitments, I returned to the Surf Life Saving SA board in 2008 and assumed the role of president in 2011. I served as the longest-serving president in SA for over 10 years before taking on national roles, becoming the first deputy national president outside of NSW or Queensland and eventually the first National President outside of those states. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU’VE SEEN IN THE ORGANISATION AS A WHOLE? It’s quite intriguing to reflect on the evolution of our organisation. There are some obvious changes, particularly in technology, such as the advent of drones and the potential integration of AI with image recognition capabilities. However, the most significant change, in my opinion, occurred with the introduction of women in 1980. This marked a pivotal and positive shift in our organisation’s history, significantly impacting our approach to lifesaving for over a century. We’ve also seen huge growth in surf sports, for instance, the Open Ocean event held at the Aussies, which has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. By inviting participation from individuals outside traditional club memberships, we’ve opened up access to surf lifesaving activities and broadened our reach within the community. Similarly, initiatives like the inclusion of both male and female competitors in the Nutri-Grain series represent significant milestones in our quest for gender equality and inclusivity within the sport. COULD YOU ELABORATE ON HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS TRANSFORMED LIFESAVING PRACTICES OVER THE YEARS? Absolutely. When I first obtained my Bronze Medallion in 1985, we were still using traditional tools like reel lines and belts. It wasn’t until the mid-’80s that we transitioned to the more efficient and versatile IRBs (Inflatable Rescue Boats). This shift revolutionised our rescue capabilities, allowing us to negotiate surf and distances quickly and retrieve multiple patients at a time. Additionally, the introduction of Nippers in the ‘60s and ‘70s, particularly pioneered by South Australia, was a key factor in ensuring surf lifesaving had a vibrant and sustainable future. Technology remains a cornerstone of our evolution as a lifesaving movement. Moving forward, we must cultivate a culture of innovation that permeates every aspect of our operations. This entails exploring new avenues for service delivery, leveraging cutting-edge equipment like drones and jet skis, and embracing advancements in training and leadership development. By staying at the forefront of technological innovation, we can enhance our effectiveness in lifesaving and ensure that our practices remain relevant and efficient.
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