Organisation History
Life Saving Victoria (LSV)
Life Saving Victoria (est. 2002) is an in initiative of the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, Victoria Branch (est. 1904) and Surf Life Saving Victoria (est. 1947). It has the mission to prevent aquatic related death and injury in all Victorian communities and the vision that all Victorians will learn water safety, swimming and resuscitation, and be provided with safe beaches, water environments and aquatic venues.
Life Saving Victoria is forging new life saving and water safety initiatives while respecting the proud traditions and programs of the Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving National organisations.
Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance (SLSLE)
Lakes Entrance and Eastern Beaches are located in the eastern section of the Ninety Mile Beach. The Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance is located at the end of the footbridge across from the town of Lakes Entrance. This is a popular beach for bathing, surfing, walking and fishing; particularly as it is the closet and most accessible beach to Lakes Entrance.
This is the most popular spot alone the Ninety Mile Beach. It offers a safer patrolled beach with plenty of room for walking and fishing. However, the deep troughs and rips produce hazardous bathing conditions with reasonable surf.
Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance was originally formed in October 1931 as Lakes Entrance LSC which affiliated with RLSS in 1935. The first club house was built in the mid-1930s and located at Hummocks at Main Beach, Lakes Entrance.
Patrols were mounted on the Ninety Mile Beach and on the lake shore at Cunningham Arm. This club ceased to function during the Second World War.
The present club was formed at a meeting at the Mechanics Hall, Lakes Entrance, on 3 November 1956, with 25 members. Assistance was received from Point Leo SLSC and funds were donated by the Penguins Association and the Sire of Tambo.
In 1956, the Bronze Medallion Squad was formed at the club with 12 members completing the award. The first home carnival on home beach took place on 6 January 1957. The first carnival attended was at Point Leo and a Club newsletter, the ‘Lake Surfer’, was produced in 1959. It was not until 1981 that the first women were inducted into the Bronze Medallion Squad.
The first rescue undertaken by the Lakes Entrance Surf Live Saving Club was on Good Friday 1958 when a mass rescue took place with swimmers caught in a rip. Skis and two reels were used and all were saved.
In 1970, the first ladies auxiliary was formed.
The Nipper programs started in 1984 as a combined effort of club members with 20 attendees in the first year.
Memorable moments in SLSLE history have been hosting the Victorian Life Saving Championships in 1966, 2008, 2010 and 2011. The club have also had 3 Victorian Life Saver of the year winners and was crowned Australian Club of the year for their outstanding achievement in the life saving movement.
In 2010 and 2011, Lakes Entrance hosted the Victorian Life Saving Championships. They were biggest lifesaving events held in Victoria over those calendar years. These two years were the first to run both a senior and junior combined championship format, having both events on the same weekend in March.
In addition to the sport, the events also had opening ceremonies, including the blessing of the land from the traditional land owners of Lakes Entrance, the Gunikurnai, and a ceremony held with sports awards presented to the season’s most outstanding performers.
The Victorian Lifesaving Championships was covered using many types of media including 42 Print, 15 Radio, 2 TV and $ internet promotions.
Overall, it was the largest and most successful Victorian Life Saving Championships in history, with great action, weather and results.
Vision of the organisation Mission Statement
To promote a safe and enjoyable aquatic environment through the provision of lifesaving services to our community.
We will achieve this mission by:
Providing effective patrols on Lakes Entrance beach
Train our members to meet the needs of the Club and the community
Educate the community on safe swimming and recreation practices
Provide sporting opportunities for our members to develop leadership and management skills
Retention of youth
Providing a family, friendly environment