Wendy Cole, Marion Price and Maureen Lasisz
The amazing women of Royal Life Saving WA
This International Women’s Day, Royal Life Saving Society WA recognises the amazing work done by hundreds of women across WA who work as community trainers for our organisation. We have a team of 558 community trainers who teach vital first aid, CPR, swimming and lifesaving skills to tens of thousands of people across our state each year. A massive 72% of these trainers are women!
These dedicated women have saved countless lives through their many years of service and we’re pleased to have been able to provide special recognition for a number of these in the past 12 months.
Ann Southall recently received a WA Long Service order, recognising her work over many years delivering more than 50 first aid course per year for Royal Life Saving WA and Scouts WA. Ann retired at the end of 2017 and will be sadly missed by all of us.
Bev Annesley received a WA Meritorious Service Order late last year, to thank her for her work with Royal Life Saving WA since 2002. 
Working as a swim instructor for more than 30 years, Bev joined our community trainers team as a Resuscitation trainer in 2002, before advancing to an Aquatic Trainer in 2008. Having retired from this work last year the award was extra special as it recognised the dedication she had shown over many years in making her community a safer place!
Royal Life Saving National Awards were also presented to some amazing women late last year, rewarding their long-term support, commitment and dedication. Marion Price and Sallie Watson received Australian Meritorious Service Orders, while Wendy Cole and Maureen Lasisz received Australian Outstanding Service Orders, for their ongoing work with Royal Life Saving WA delivering programs, courses and providing support for more than 20 years.
Much of Sallie Watson’s work is with young West Australians, teaching first aid and aquatic rescue skills in high school environments, much of that work done through Lake Joondalup Baptist College. According to Sallie "I became involved because I think it's very important for people to understand aquatics and the risks that are involved in it, and also to have some basic first aid knowledge to help anyone in need. If we teach kids at school first aid; from basic resuscitation through to Senior First Aid, then they go home and speak to mum and dad, and then mum and dad want to do a course, it really becomes a 'pay it forward'."
Royal Life Saving Society WA wishes to thank these and the hundreds of other women who work with us to share vital skills and knowledge that make communities across WA safer places to be!
Would you like to make a difference in your community? Become a Royal Life Saving Community Trainer!
