Long-time trainer Sallie Watson receives Life Membership
Each year Royal Life Saving WA’s Board of Directors assesses the contribution of long-time members, recommending nominations for Life Membership. This year the Board recommended that Life Membership be bestowed on Sallie Watson.
Sallie’s involvement with Royal Life Saving WA began in 1995, and she has contributed greatly to the Society and broader aquatics industry through both her work and voluntary roles over the last 25 years. Sallie has been an outstanding contributor to the development of Royal Life Saving training courses in the areas of Swimming Instruction, Bronze Medallion, Aquatic Rescue, Pool Lifeguard, First Aid and emergency care.
In 1995 she assisted the organisation to commence the delivery of the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety training courses in WA, before obtaining her Pool Lifeguard trainer and Bronze Trainer qualifications in 2000. She became a First Aid trainer in 2004 and is qualified to deliver CPR, Provide First Aid, Advanced First Aid, Advanced Resuscitation Techniques and aquatic rescue courses, including the School Teacher Rescue award.
Sallie began working at Lake Joondalup Baptist College in 1998 where she delivers first aid, CPR and aquatic courses for students and staff members, always promoting Royal Life Saving in a positive and professional manner as she advocates for the importance of learning lifesaving skills. Many of her students have gone on to work in the aquatics industry.
In addition to her service to the Society through her professional career, Sallie has also directly contributed through a variety of volunteer roles. In 1999, Sallie volunteered her time and expertise to aid in the development of the accredited “Course in Instructor of Swimming and Water Safety – 50591”. This course was delivered by Sallie and other RLSSWA members from July 2000 until September 2003.
Since 2000, Sallie has been an active contributor to the development of training course materials across a variety of areas and is always willing to provide her expertise and advice when required. She has volunteered her time to review the School Teacher Rescue award (START) resources and recently reviewed the Bronze Medallion resources to ensure that they are up-to-date and of good quality.
Sallie was a member of our Honours Awards Committee from 2007 to 2011, assessing and approving nominations for the Bravery Awards. In 2011, she volunteered to assist in the creation of remote area and wilderness first aid training courses which were delivered by Sallie and other Royal Life Saving members from 2011 until 2014.
Sallie has also volunteered as a judge for the Pool Lifeguard Challenge for many years and contributed to the development of Major Event scenarios for the Challenge. Sallie has often given up her time to train teams in preparation for the Pool Lifeguard Challenge, ensuring their skills were of a high standard.
In 2017, Sallie was part of a training program in Saudi Arabia to implement and deliver a swimming and water safety program for women and girls. Her knowledge and professionalism make her one of the best Trainers and Assessors of the Royal Life Saving Society WA.
Sally’s contribution since 2000 has included the delivery of 374 first aid and emergency care courses, 368 Pool Lifeguard training courses and 343 Bronze and Aquatic rescue courses. She has provided training to approximately 10,553 participants!
She was previously recognised in 2012 with the WA Meritorious Service Order and in 2017 with the Australian Meritorious Service Order and is a well deserving recipient of Life Membership to the Society!