Letter to the Editor: The lasting contribution of our lifeguards

DEAR News Of The Area,

THE City of Coffs Harbour is soon to determine the future of its professional ocean lifeguard service – a decision that will decide whether this long-standing in-house team continues to serve the community or the service is outsourced.

Before such a significant step is taken, it is important to reflect on what our in-house lifeguard service has achieved over the past four decades.

The service began more than 40 years ago, with professional lifeguards patrolling Park Beach, Sawtell, Woolgoolga and several smaller beaches for six to ten weeks each year.

In those early days, lifeguards worked largely alone, seated on beach chairs beneath umbrellas, equipped primarily with rescue tubes and rescue boards, and maintaining radio contact with neighbouring beaches.

Today, in 2025, the service has expanded significantly.

Professional ocean lifeguards patrol seven beaches across the Local Government Area: Park Beach year-round; Sawtell and Woolgoolga for seven months annually; Diggers Beach for ten weeks; and Jetty, Emerald and Red Rock for six weeks each year.

Lifeguards now work in pairs, often safeguarding beaches hosting up to 5,000 visitors at a time.

They are equipped with three jet skis, four-wheel-drive vehicles and patrol towers at the three major beaches. Training standards are delivered through the Australian Pool & Ocean Lifeguard Association – widely regarded as the highest benchmark in Australia and comparable with leading metropolitan services.

Beyond daily patrols, the service has delivered outstanding contributions to the broader community.

Coffs Harbour lifeguards developed one of Australia’s most comprehensive beach education programs in collaboration with APOLA, the NSW Department of Education and other lifeguard services.

These initiatives have taught thousands of primary and secondary students – locally and as far west as Dubbo – essential water safety knowledge and practical in-water skills.

Programs were also extended to university and TAFE English-language students, as well as community organisations including Rotary, Lions and VIEW Clubs.

Council’s Lifeguard Service developed a practical, in-water safety program designed to introduce Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to the ocean environment, ensuring participants understood both the risks and the benefits of ocean recreation.

The program was delivered in collaboration with lifeguard team members and key partners, including Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA), NSW Police Force, Settlement Services International, Anglicare, and other community organisations.

The initiative proved highly successful.

Many participants had never entered the ocean before; they left equipped with practical safety knowledge, increased confidence, and, most importantly, smiles from ear to ear.

The Coffs Harbour Council Lifeguards were the first local government service in Australia to employ a First Nations trainee lifeguard, Temika Wright, who went on to serve the community for over a decade.

She became a respected role model for women in the profession and later participated in an inter-council exchange with Waverley Council, ultimately appearing on the television program Bondi Rescue.

The service has also been a national leader in gender diversity, employing more female lifeguards than any other local government area in Australia.

Many have built long-term careers within the team, including career professional Maddi Carah, who continues to serve the community today.

Innovation has been another hallmark of the service.

The team pioneered the implementation of Remote Rescue Tubes across the Local Government Area – a safety initiative that has saved numerous lives and has since been adopted by other coastal and inland councils.

The project received strong backing from the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour and additional community donors, demonstrating the broad local support behind these initiatives.

Collectively, the current team represents well over 100 years of professional experience.

While they do not seek recognition, members of the service have received numerous bravery awards and commendations.

Several have been acknowledged at the highest professional levels, including a national Professional Ocean Lifeguard of the Year recipient. Time and again, these men and women have placed themselves in danger – in darkness, heavy seas, wind and rain – to save others.

Their service extends beyond the shoreline.

During the major floods of 1996 and 2009, lifeguards deployed jet skis, rescue boards and vehicles to assist with flood rescues, working tirelessly to protect the community without hesitation.

Community support for the service has been clear and consistent.

Public feedback at council meetings and in satisfaction surveys repeatedly ranks the Council’s lifeguards among the top services provided by the City.

Such results reflect not only operational excellence but also the trust and respect they have earned over four decades.

Throughout the current review process, the lifeguard team has continued to operate professionally despite the uncertainty surrounding their employment.

Lifeguarding is not a high-paying occupation; it is a vocation driven by commitment, empathy and dedication to public safety.

For more than 40 years, this team has provided innovative, community-focused and highly regarded service while keeping our beaches as safe as possible.

As the new General Manager considers this matter, I respectfully urge that the full history, performance and community value of the in-house Professional Ocean Lifeguard Service be carefully weighed.

The decision made now will shape not only the future of these dedicated professionals but also the safety and character of our coastline for years to come.

Regards,
Greg HACKFATH,
Coffs Harbour.