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Richard McDonald - outstanding Life Saving Victoria member for National Volunteer Week this National Volunteer Week

Acknowledging volunteers on life saving, with an outstanding lifesaver who started at a young age.

By news@gippsland - 28th May 2021 - Back to News

Life Saving Victoria is thanking and recognising its incredible volunteers this week as Monday 17 May – Friday 21 May marks National Volunteer Week. One of LSV’s members who is being acknowledged is Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance’s Richard McDonald, who went above and beyond for his club during season 2020-21 to ensure lifesaving patrols could continue despite pandemic restrictions.

Volunteer Surf Lifesavers are men and women who volunteer their time to provide aquatic supervision that typically patrol in groups under a patrol captain for a given period of time on weekend and public holidays

Remaining compliant with guidelines

Taking the reins of the newly created COVIDSafe Coordinator role for his club during what is being hailed as one of the most challenging seasons to date, Richard was responsible for ensuring SLS Lakes Entrance remained compliant with Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.

Programs to ensure learning

Richard said, "I took on the role after completing an infectious control mitigation short course through Holmesglen TAFE that complimented my small business, as an essential service, patrols were able to continue with special precautions in place, which was the responsibility of the COVIDSafe Coordinator."

"Although it’s the committee’s newest role, it’s an important one that meant we were still able to have a presence out there on the beach, saving lives. I was very pleased that the nippers, bronze, surf rescue certificate and youth involvement programs could also continue and ensure the learning for our young members."

Starting at young age

Due to Lakes Entrance’s hard work, the club was able to host its major fundraising event, the Gippsland Lakes Paddle Challenge, in a COVID-19 safe environment this May, raising valuable funds for the club. "The role was more work than I could have anticipated but I felt very supported by our president David Richardson and secretary Kristine Cordery."

Although the COVIDSafe Coordinator role is a new one, Richard has over 20 years’ lifesaving experience at Point Lonsdale and 10 years at Lakes Entrance under his belt, having started out as an eight-year-old nipper at Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club.

Having more than just water skills

Richard said, "I became a nipper at Point Lonsdale SLSC as my family had a holiday house there, I enjoyed it immensely, it taught me more than just water safety skills, I had a lot of fun and made many enduring friendships. Now as an adult with my own family, it was very important to ensure my kids had a similar experience."

Giving back to community

Regularly holidaying on the coast near Lakes Entrance, Richard signed his children up for nippers at the local club, eager for them to learn the same lessons he did about water safety and surf skills. As a nipper parent, Richard’s favourite part of his current involvement in lifesaving is doing water safety in the nippers program.

"I love this role, interacting with the kids and seeing how much fun they have," he said. "It’s great to give back to our community and seeing our kids active and happy."

Recognising Richard McDonald from Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance who took up the role of COVIDSafe Coordinator for his club to ensure patrols could continue despite pandemic restrictions

Keeping it COVID-safe

My favourite memory of my time in the lifesaving movement is seeing my two kids complete the entire nipper program and my daughter receiving the Greg and Sue Oglesby Encouragement Award for the most outstanding nipper." Thanks for your hard work keeping Lakes Entrance COVIDSafe, Richard, and all other COVIDSafe Coordinators across the state.

Pictures from Life Saving Victoria Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com