Engaging Millennium Youth: Surf Life Saving Australia

Abstract

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is the largest voluntary community- based service organisation in Australia, with 113,336 members. During the 2004/2005 season, SLSA patrol members performed more than 14,000 rescues and undertook 544,789 preventive actions. These figures alone highlight the vital role SLSA plays within the community; an overall contribution valued at AU$ I.4 billion in 2005. Like other community groups, SLSA is faced with the challenge of retaining young members. The current membership includes more than 51,000 young surf lifesavers in training ranging from 7 to 18 years of age. Adolescent education and training programs are therefore vitally important for the sustainable future of this community resource. This paper describes the SLSA programs in place to engage and retain millennium youth members programs that develop surf awareness, safety skills, leadership and teamwork ability - particularly those in the age group recognised in the formal school education system as the middle years of schooling. Responding to the specific needs of young people in these 'middle years, who are also members of the 'Y generation', the paper also discusses the need to build fun, excitement and vocational career opportunities into education and training programs, and to focus on community engagement, which is a signifying practice for middle schooling.