EVERY SURF CLUB IN AUSTRALIA TO GET A REPAINT

AUSTRALIA'S MOST EXPOSED BUILDINGS GET $1M UPGRADE

A new partnership has been formed to help protect and preserve some of Australia’s most important and iconic buildings from some of the world’s harshest weather conditions.

Dulux Australia will donate up to one million dollars worth of its tough Weathershield exterior paint to protect every surf life saving club for the next generation of beach goers.

“Surf life saving clubs sit on some of the most exposed coastline in Australia and as a patrolling surf lifesaver I’ve witnessed the severe impact harsh Australian weather has on our clubs. The partnership with Dulux will breathe new life into surf life saving clubs to preserve these vitally important buildings for the next generation,” said Surf Life Saving Australia President Graham Ford.

During the 2010-11 season, Australian surf lifesavers completed over 12,000 rescues. Through the support of Dulux, clubs will receive urgent care at no cost, protecting the buildings that house volunteers and invaluable equipment to patrol Australian beaches.

“Surf Life Saving Australia applauds such a valuable and worthwhile initiative as it frees critical funds to be directed to training and equipment resources,” said Graham.

A recent report found that the total estimated economic value of Surf Life Saving’s coastal and injury prevention efforts to Australia is $3.6 billion. Dulux approached Surf Life Saving Australia to provide support for the 310 surf life saving clubs and 158,800 members around the country.

Beaches are Australia’s largest playground and host more than 100 million visitations every year.

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We can provide you with the following:

§ High resolution imagery of Australian Surf Life Saving Clubs from across Australia

§ Interview opportunities with Surf Life Saving Australia representatives

§ Access to Surf Life Saving Clubs across Australia undergoing restoration

§ Video footage of Australia’s exposed surf life saving clubs, storms rolling into beaches and club houses (3.5 minutes available)

§ Interview opportunities with Dulux spokespeople to talk about the donation made by Dulux to restore every single Surf Life Saving Club in Australia

For further information, images and interviews contact:

Paul Houlihan, Communicado

T: 03 9522 9910 M: 0466 904 947

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cristina Rudnicki, Communicado

T : 03 9522 9984 M: 0422 725 100

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Why should you consider becoming a Guardian of the Surf

Around the world people are in awe of the coastal beauty and beaches we have here in Australia.

But behind the beauty can lay a danger that many unsuspecting people do not understand.

On average, there is an estimated 100 million beach visitations each year. Between the red and yellow flags, our Surf Lifesavers make sure each and every visitor enjoys their time on the beach and be safe to return again, regardless of their age, race or gender. But having the lifesavers available to watch over us and be at the ready for any emergency does cost money.

That is where Guardians of the Surf help out.

Guardians of the Surf are generous individuals who believe in the work we do by making a gift to Surf Life Saving. Without the support of these Guardians and the community, Surf Life Saving would not be able to perform the thousands of life saving rescues they make each year.

In addition, there is also a special group of Guardians of the Surf who have chosen to give regular monthly gifts.

These regular donations allow Surf Life Saving to purchase vital rescue equipment and ensure our current and future surf lifesavers are trained and educated ready to perform the critical duty of saving lives when needed.

Giving monthly is quick and easy. The amount you choose will be automatically deducted from your credit card or nominated bank account. Spreading your gift over 12 months is a convenient and manageable way for you to make a real difference on Australia’s beaches.

Grant Hackett
Patron, Guardian of the Surf Program

Water safety a priority in Tasmania from the beach to the bush

24 October: Primary students in regional parts of Tasmania are about to receive vital water safety lessons ahead of summer, when some of the state’s finest surf lifesavers descend into regional towns as part of the Telstra Beach to Bush program, a joint community initiative between Telstra and Surf Life Saving.

Telstra Beach to Bush is the largest and most innovative surf safety education program in Australia, having reached more than 250,000 primary school students since it began in 2004.

Over the next month, more than 38,000 students across 300 schools around the country will receive surf and water safety education, with communities welcoming the unique sight of surf lifesavers to act as class room teachers and impart water safety tips and techniques.

The skills and safety lessons which focus on surf conditions and how to stay safe when visiting the beach can be applied to any type of water situation, including rivers, dams, creeks, pools or other waterways.

Telstra Beach to Bush ambassador and former World Ironwoman Champion, Naomi Flood, has a long history of training and nurturing nippers and surf lifesavers on beaches throughout the country and is proudly supporting this year’s Telstra Beach to Bush campaign.

“As Australians, we have a love of the water, be it at the beach, the pool or kicking back in a country dam,” said Ms Flood.

“Telstra Beach to Bush is a Surf Life Saving initiative that ensures kids around the country are aware of how to stay safe and what to look out for when swimming so that we can all enjoy our time in the water.”

Students will receive vital water safety tips by taking part in an interactive presentation with a focus on swimming between the red and yellow flags, always following safety signs and looking out for each other while enjoying the water.

Surf Life Saving Chief Operating Officer, Peter George, thanked Telstra for their continued commitment in connecting surf lifesavers with regional communities throughout Australia.

“With summer just around the corner, Telstra Beach to Bush helps our surf lifesavers continue to spread important messages far and wide throughout Australia,” said Mr George.

Telstra Country Wide Regional Sales and Service Director for Victoria and Tasmania, John Ballenger, was delighted to welcome the volunteer surf lifesavers and their safety messages to schools and communities in Tasmania.

“Telstra Beach to Bush provides much needed surf and water safety lessons to children in regional communities who may not have had as much exposure to water safety lessons as those who live close to the beach. This is a fantastic program, delivering life saving know how in a fun and engaging way,” said Mr Ballenger.

“Telstra is proud to be connecting surf lifesavers with regional communities in a unified effort to ensure as many Australians stay safe when enjoying our waterways over the months ahead.”

Parents and communities are encouraged to learn more about the Telstra Beach to Bush program and to discuss safety tips with their families by heading to www.telstrabeachtobush.com.au - an interactive site that reinforces vital techniques and information to stay safe while enjoying the water.

Media contact: Tom Gallimore, Javelin Australia – 0422 210 789

James Woollard, Telstra – 0419 130 588

Media number: 325/2011