Mr ROBERT DWYER (Port Macquarie) (21:46): I recognise the outstanding contribution of Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast and the dedicated volunteers who have once again protected residents and visitors across our beautiful coastline during the 2025-26 season. Across the Mid North Coast, surf lifesavers continue to provide an invaluable community service that saves lives, supports emergency response operations and strengthens local communities. Their commitment is reflected in another season of exceptional service to residents and visitors. Across the branch almost 2,730 members contributed to another outstanding year, with 987 active patrolling members providing 21,951 patrol hours and more than 26,500 volunteer hours in total. Throughout the season, lifesavers monitored 167,000 beachgoers, performed 34 rescues, delivered 289 first-aid treatments, undertook 3,153 preventative actions and responded to 34 call-outs. Most importantly, not a single life was lost between the red-and-yellow flags.
Within the Port Macquarie electorate, our local surf clubs demonstrated once again why they are regarded as some of the strongest volunteer organisations in regional New South Wales. Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club, recently recognised as the Surf Life Saving NSW club of the year, recorded more than 6,200 patrol hours, protected over 40,000 beachgoers and carried out 10 rescues, while continuing to invest heavily in training, youth development and community inclusion programs. Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club provided more than 4,500 patrol hours at Lighthouse Beach, watched over more than 15,000 beachgoers and undertook more than 200 preventative actions. The club also continued to lead innovative community initiatives through its highly successful and inclusive Dippers program and youth development activities.
Wauchope-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club delivered almost 4,000 patrol hours, protected close to 24,000 beachgoers, and continued its strong commitment to education, surf sports and community engagement. The club also hosted major regional events that brought visitors and economic activity into our local area. Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club members completed almost 2,000 volunteer patrol hours, watched over more than 15,000 beach visitors, and responded to emergency call-outs while continuing to deliver community education and beach safety programs. My congratulations go to administrator Nicole Crowe, who was named New South Wales' administrator of the year.
Together these clubs provide an extraordinary service across our coastline. They train hundreds of members each year, support local families through thriving nipper and youth programs, and ensure that visitors and residents alike can enjoy our beaches safely. Beyond routine beach patrols, volunteers are increasingly responding to emergencies on remote and unpatrolled beaches, participating in search-and-rescue operations, operating rescue watercraft and drones, and supporting other emergency service agencies. Equally impressive is the commitment to training, education and leadership development. Hundreds of qualifications were achieved across the season, while nipper programs, youth initiatives and community engagement activities continue to develop the next generation of surf lifesavers and community leaders.
The red-and-yellow flags are an enduring symbol of safety on our beaches, but behind those flags are thousands of hours of unpaid service given by ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities. On behalf of the people of the Port Macquarie electorate, I congratulate Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast on an outstanding season. Most importantly, I thank every volunteer, patrol captain, trainer, assessor, official, age manager, committee member and family member whose efforts make this work possible. Their dedication, professionalism and community spirit help keep our beaches safe, strengthen our communities and save lives. For that, we are truly grateful.
Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (21:51): I thank the member for Port Macquarie for acknowledging his beautiful community and the many volunteers who keep our beaches safe during the entire season but particularly as we come into summer. I recognise the member for Port Macquarie for acknowledging the Mid North Coast surf lifesaving clubs' achievements, which are a representation of many clubs along our coasts whose volunteers give their time to keep our beaches safe and protect our family members who are far from home. The Government looks forward to continuing to support these amazing programs. I note that clubs can apply for capital investment project funding of about $5.5 million. That money is good, but it is not anywhere near as good as the many volunteers who selflessly spend their time keeping our families and our beaches safe.
The House adjourned, pursuant to standing and sessional orders, at 21:52 until
Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 10:00.
