Royal Life Saving WA appoints new President
Following the recent retirement of Royal Life Saving WA President Colin Hassell, a new President was recently appointed by our Board of Directors with Vaughan Davies appointed to the role. Vaughan has a wealth of experience in the aquatic and government sectors across WA and the organisation is excited to see him take on this role.
Having grown up the regional WA towns of Esperance and Kalgoorlie and starting his working life as a casual pool lifeguard, Vaughan has developed an extensive career in the public sector. He spent 10 years in local government working in community services and overseeing the management and construction of swimming pools across regional Australia, before moving into a role as regional manager of Tourism WA based in Broome. From there he joined the Department of Aboriginal Affairs where he became the Director General of the Department in 2016.
Vaughan currently works at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as the Assistant Director General of the Heritage and Property Division - responsible for the management, protection and promotion of Western Australia’s Aboriginal and Historic heritage assets as well as the Western Australia Planning Commission’s property portfolio.
A keen long-distance open water swimmer, with a few Rottnest Channel solo swims to his name, Vaughan spends as much time in or on the water as possible as a keen boaty and fisherman. Impressed by the work Royal Life Saving WA does through the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools program in regional WA, he joined the board’s Aboriginal Reference Group in 2017. Seeing RLSSWA as a well-established, solid brand steeped in history and filled with talented, professional and committed staff, he saw a position on the board as an opportunity to work with like-minded people, while also giving back to a cause that has been a part of his entire life.
Vaughan believes swimming is a life skill that every Western Australian should enjoy 100% water safety across all parts of the community is a goal he would like to see the organisation achieve - from infant aquatics, swim & survive, seniors water safety through to working with non-English speaking and remote Aboriginal communities. He sees this as an achievable aim through good governance, strategic thinking and creating partnerships with government and corporate organisations.
Royal Life Saving WA CEO Peter Leaversuch has welcomed Vaughan’s appointment as President. “For many years Vaughan has made an invaluable contribution, most recently in his roles on the Board and reconciliation working group. He brings to the role an extensive background in terms of aquatics, regional WA, Aboriginal affairs and most importantly is a terrific leader and inspiration for all the team at Royal Life Saving.”