End of year celebrations for Community Trainers

In a year punctuated by snap lockdowns and evolving training restrictions, our team of Community Trainers across WA have remained resilient and dedicated throughout.

Royal Life Saving WA recently hosted its yearly Community Trainer Wrap Event, which provides an opportunity for trainers to celebrate together and reflect on the year’s achievements.

The wrap event itself had to be rescheduled thanks to the late June/early July lockdown of the Perth and Peel regions! The event finally took place last Friday evening, August 13, at the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA), with 48 trainers in attendance.

The trainers joined the Royal Life Saving WA Community Education team to look back on the successes and achievements of the previous financial year, and celebrate the amazing work achieved together. Highlights of the evening (besides giant sea turtles) included a video reel showcasing the best training moments of the year.

Community Education Coordinator Francesca Amoroso was thrilled to share the year’s achievements with those present on the night. “In terms of numbers of trainers, we closed the year with 431 Aquatic Trainers, 65 First Aid Trainers, 50 Heart Beat Club Trainers, 113 Resuscitation Trainers, 12 Pool Lifeguard Trainers and 10 Swim Teacher Trainers.”

During the 2020-21 financial year more than 3,000 training courses were delivered to a staggering 25,000 course participants. “Our trainers are located all over Western Australia, from Wyndham to Esperance, from Geraldton to Laverton,” said Francesca. 

“It’s so important for us knowing that there are small remote communities out there that are benefiting from the delivery of our programs. We love to hear their stories and know that we are making a difference in their lives, and we can do that thanks to our trainers.”

Honours awards were also presented to nine trainers on the night, “recognising those who have actively supported and assisted the activities of Royal Life Saving WA over a sustained period of time.”

Linda Harvey, David Ellam, Joanna Foulkes, Rachel Trenaman, Ryan Scally and Jenny Little were each presented with a Western Australian Service Order award for their great work in representing Royal Life Saving. Samantha Dickins was awarded a WA Long Service Order award for her many years of training in the Wheatbelt region, and Deryn Migliore and Debbie Gillard both received a WA Meritorious Service Order for more than 15 years of providing training in their respective communities.

Congratulations to our award recipients and well done to each and every one of our Community Trainers for their hard work during a very challenging year!