Everyday heroes who patrol Australia’s popular beaches, will be celebrated in a ‘Walk of Fame’ from 9-15 December, as part of an ongoing campaign between Surf Life Saving Australia and major national partner, DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider. The famous promenade along Cronulla Beach will be adorned with images of surf lifesaving volunteers and their stories, along with a chance for the public to share messages of gratitude.
The activation is part of the campaign, ‘Discovering Hidden Legends’, which aims to remind Australians that our beaches are safer thanks to the dedication of volunteer surf lifesavers. Each summer season, nearly 190,000 Surf Life Saving members volunteer their time to help run 315 surf lifesaving clubs. Of these members, more than 45,000 volunteers are patrolling surf lifesavers, performing approximately 11,000 rescues, 60,000 first aid, and 1.65 million preventative actions annually to keep the public out of harm’s way.
“Every time we swim at a patrolled beach, we are all safer thanks to the critical lifesaving work of these incredible volunteers,” said Gary Edstein, CEO and Senior Vice President, DHL Express Australia. “They’re our friends, our neighbours and members of our community whose work often goes unseen, except for their iconic uniform. We thought it was time to say thank you.”
All Surf Life Saving clubs throughout Australia have had the opportunity to be included by nominating a deserving member of their surf life saving club to be acknowledged. Their stories will be shared alongside tips for staying safe on our waterways.
“The Discovering Hidden Legends campaign celebrates the individuals who make up such an important part of the Australian community. Last season, more than 1.3 million patrolling hours assisted in keeping people safe on our beaches, and all of this is thanks to our hidden legends.”
Adam Weir, CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia
“The incredible support of DHL helps to deliver safer beaches to more than 500 million beachgoers annually, and this Walk of Fame helps to recognise some of these legends.”
Speed, value and a can-do attitude
Working together since 2003, the ongoing partnership between DHL Express and Surf Life Saving Australia is built on the shared values of the two organisations: passion, speed and a can-do attitude. Surf Life Saving volunteers, who patrol the beaches regardless of rain, hail or shine, share a love for the community and a desire to keep people safe in the water and on the sand.
Trae Hare-Boyd, Surf Life Saving Australia volunteer, added, “Surf Life Saving plays a critical role in the support and foundation of local communities. It’s an organisation that allows you to have an impact on the lives of people you may never have met in other circumstances other than saving their life.”
Discovering Hidden Legends will continue to run across social media channels and dhlsummer.com until the end of summer 2022/23.
