History Excursion To Avalon Beach SLSC By Years 1 & 2 Of Maria Regina Primary School, Avalon Beach
ABSLSC Heritage Committee members, Geoff Searl OAM, Warren Young OAM and me OAM had fun hosting a history excursion to the Club by Years 1 and 2 Maria Regina Primary School last week, May 18 2023.
Geoff did Show and Tell with a slideshow, Waz showed them rescue equipment, and I did the Patrol Room gear.
Given that Avalon Beach is one of the most dangerous on the coast, (rating 7 out of 10 on the Australian Beach Safety Ratings), we were pleasantly surprised to find out how many children knew about surf safety, rips, flags etc...which reflected the fact that a large percentage are in ABSLSC Nippers, apart from their families clearly being beachgoers.
We even had an ex Nipper/ Patrolling Member, Katinka (nee Nolan) Hook as a helper mum.
The kids asked lots of questions... clarifying how to get out of a rip, what to do if you're not a strong swimmer, are there lady lifesavers, and what if there's a shark right next to you!
One question Geoff has to check on...who was the first person rescued at Av and who did the rescue?
They learnt things, and we learnt things too.
Roger Sayers OAM
Life Member of Avalon Beach SLSC
