End of financial year celebration for Community Trainers

Royal Life Saving WA’s Community Trainers were treated to a special end of financial year event last Friday to congratulate them on their efforts throughout the year. Held at The Raffles Hotel in Applecross, trainers and their partners were welcomed by Royal Life Saving staff and invited to share their stories and experiences. Guests enjoyed canapes and refreshments as they mingled with each other, reflecting on the past year.

2018/19 concluded with a total of 423 aquatic and resuscitation trainers, 94 first aid trainers and 46 Heart Beat Club trainers. There is also now a growing number of trainers in regional areas, with 18 trainers in the Pilbara, 12 in the Kimberley and 15 in the Goldfields region. Thanks to the efforts of our trainers statewide, 4,585 students were issued with the first aid unit of competency, and 5,785 achieved Bronze Medallion or aquatic awards during the past year.

The EOFY event acknowledges the great work done over the last 12 months and is a chance to officially thank our network of trainers for what they do for their various communities. The evening concluded with an awards ceremony led by Royal Life Saving WA Senior Manager Trent Hotchkin, who presented awards to two trainers on the night.

The first award went to Kevin Emery, a trainer who has recently joined the Royal Life Saving community. Kevin undertook his Pool Lifeguard qualification in 2017, becoming an aquatic trainer and first aid trainer in 2018. Since becoming a Community Trainer, Kevin has been very active in delivering first aid, hydrotherapy and aquatic rescue courses. Kevin was presented with a certificate of thanks for his continuous and committed work with Royal Life Saving WA.

The second award recipient was Juanita Adie-Cooper, who first achieved her Bronze Medallion award in 1992. Juanita became a Bronze examiner in 2006 and has since delivered numerous Bronze Medallion courses in her 13-year career as an aquatic trainer. Juanita was presented with the Royal Life Saving WA Long Service Order for her efforts.

Events such as these are an important fixture in the Royal Life Saving WA calendar, as they provide the opportunity to recognise trainers for their efforts and contribution to empowering people throughout the community to be safe in, on and around water.