Ms TRISH DOYLE (Blue Mountains) (13:11:16): I know it is unusual for the member for Blue Mountains to speak during debate on surf life saving clubs but I participate in this debate as the shadow Minister for Emergency Services to acknowledge the fantastic volunteers who are involved in surf life saving clubs and point out that they come within the ambit of emergency services. As my sons were growing up, travelling from the trees to the seas was part of every school holiday and the iconic red-and-yellow uniforms were part of their growing up. My contribution to debate on the motion moved by the member for Clarence will be brief but it will serve to acknowledge that today is Surf Life Saving Volunteer Recognition Day.

The recognition day is a great opportunity for us to acknowledge, honour and pay tribute to the fantastic people who provide protection on our beaches. Their training is at the highest standard. They provide assistance to visitors. As the member for Wyong said, there are many more visitors to our beaches who have no idea of the threats to their safety that they may encounter. For those of us who live miles from the rips and the red-and-yellow uniform of our beaches, television programs likeBondi Rescue provide us with an opportunity to tune in and refresh our memories of what beach life is like. Today I will attend a function that acknowledges some of those fantastic volunteers.

I take the opportunity presented by this debate to state on the record that it is not just the volunteer aspect of surf lifesaving but the emergency response role of surf lifesaving that is important. Our lifeguards, who have years of experience, provide training to our nippers in surf sports and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Community education and first aid training is part and parcel of the surf lifesaving world. I briefly refer to paragraph (2) of the motion, which states that surf lifesaving clubs across the State teach "young people a whole range of life skills as well as teaching them to save lives." That is certainly true. While we think of beaches as fun places, there exists an element of emergency, sometimes involving matters of life and death. I recognise the incredible work of surf clubs across the State for their role as emergency service providers. I support the amendment moved by the member for Wyong, which points out that all clubs across of New South Wales are worthy of funding and support for upgraded facilities so that their volunteers, club members and visitors to the beaches can benefit.