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Community programs aimed at reducing drownings in Queensland’s Toowoomba region, have helped the Milne Bay and Highfields Aquatic and Fitness Centre secure the Excellence in Aquatic Safety - Public Messaging and Education award in Royal Life Saving Society - Australia (RLSSA)’s inaugural National Aquatic Industry Safety Awards. 

The initiative began in 2014 when the Centre’s management, together with local businesses, launched the Just One campaign was launched. 

The campaign had a simple message that by following any of a range of key actions, lives can be saved.

The actions are: Supervision; CPR course; First aid course; Take a minute to think… what could happen?; Check your boats safety equipment; Check the safety gate; Enrolment in swimming lessons and Tell someone what you are doing.

From the Just One campaign came the evolution of Downs Little Lifeguards.

Down Little Lifeguards is a hands on and practical drowning prevention program, educating both children and their parents about water safety. The fun and interactive program is centred around inland waterways, educating participants about hidden dangers, survival swimming, safe recreation, and lifesaving skills.

Commenting on the facility and communities achievements in these inaugural Royal Life Saving awards, RLSSA National Manager Aquatic Industry Craig Roberts stated “Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre were recognised for their work in developing two innovative water safety programs; the Just One campaign and Down’s Little Lifeguards.”

As part of the Awards’ judging process finalists were filmed and a highlight video was produced to showcase their work in the community.

Award winners are being announced through a staggered online media launch, with the successful individuals and facilities broadcast on the Royal Life Saving Facebook page alongside their video consecutively over two weeks.

Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre was the fourth winner announced on Thursday 10th August, with the remaining winners to be announced per day up until Wednesday 16th August.

Click here to find out all category winners at the Royal Life Saving Facebook page at www.facebook.com.au/RoyalLifeSaving 

9th August 2017 - IFSTA’S DAVID SPEECHLEY SUGGESTS POOL LIFEGUARDS ARE FAILING IN AQUATIC SAFETY 

7th August 2017 - NEW ROYAL LIFE SAVING AWARDS RECOGNISE HOPPERS CROSSING’S AQUAPULSE 

21st April 2017 - ROYAL LIFE SAVING LAUNCHES NATIONAL AQUATIC INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARDS

25th November 2016 - ROYAL LIFE SAVING FORMS COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE GUIDELINES FOR SAFE POOL OPERATIONS 

14th June 2015 - COUNCIL REVEALS $50 MILLION AQUATIC CENTRE PLAN FOR TOOWOOMBA

4th November 2013 - PARENTS VALUE SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY LESSONS ABOVE OTHER OUT-OF-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 

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