Temporary lifeguards in place for summer at Apex Park
Published on 23 December 2014
Paid lifeguards will patrol Mildura’s Apex Park beach on weekends this summer in a bid to increase safety at the popular Murray River swimming spot.
Lifeguards will be in place at Apex Park on weekends throughout January, as well as the Labour Day and Easter periods.
Mildura Rural City Council will foot the bill for the lifeguards, and will work closely with a number of organisations to help the Mildura Life Saving Club attract a cohort of volunteer members to patrol the beach in the future.
Sport and Recreation Portfolio Councillor Mark Eckel said the Club’s long-term sustainability was paramount, as was the safety of swimmers over the upcoming summer holiday season.
“Council has agreed to pay the wages of life guards for peak periods this summer, but our major priority is getting the Mildura Living Saving Club up and running with a strong member base so they can patrol Apex Park without financial assistance from Council in the future,” Cr Eckel said.
Council, along with Life Saving Victoria, Mallee Sports Assembly and Healthy Together Mildura have committed to work together to support the Mildura Life Saving Club moving forward.
“We appreciate the challenges the Club is facing and we want to support them, so that they can recruit members, build their supporter base, develop lifesaving skills in our community and provide valuable life guard patrols at Apex Park beach for years to come,” Cr Eckel said. “The ongoing sustainability of the club will rely on commitment from the local community and major recruitment initiatives will be rolled out next year in an attempt to reinvigorate the struggling club.”
Andrew Foran from Life Saving Victoria said the initiatives taken to support the sustainability of the lifesaving club were promising and looked forward to working with the Mildura Lifesaving Club, Mildura Council and local community groups to ensure the club was able to provide critical lifesaving services and community programs for years to come.
“It takes the commitment and effort of an entire community to maintain a lifesaving club, and as the only inland lifesaving club in Australia we are conscious of the unique challenges that present to the Mildura Lifesaving Club. The direction that is being taken is very promising and Life Saving Victoria is committed to supporting the club in any way it can.”
Cr Eckel reminded everyone about the importance of taking extra care around the water this summer, regardless of where you are.
“Whether it’s at a fully patrolled beach, the river, a backyard pool or one of our local swimming pools, I can’t stress enough that safety should always be your number one priority.”
“Please take care, especially if swimming in an unfamiliar spot. Never swim alone and ensure children are always supervised near water.”
All eight Council-operated swimming pools are fully supervised and open throughout the summer months. For operating hours and locations go to http://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Swimming_Pools