Lifesavers are volunteers
Please respect our lifesavers on patrol at Rainbow Beach – they are all unpaid volunteers who work or study like Anton Klekar, Brad Hethorn and Michael Brantz
Most people are aware that the lifesavers you see on the beach on weekends and school holidays are volunteers.
There are paid lifeguards who are council employees, who are paid to keep the beach safe during the week, but the ones pictured are volunteers.
Most, if not all, have full-time jobs or study full time before they put their hand up to volunteer to keep you and your family safe on the beaches.
Some of the Rainbow Beach volunteers have been in the club since it was formed and some are in their 50th year volunteering!
Recently with the decision being made to cut access to the beach to help stop the spread of Covid-19, the patrol team pictured received some negative behaviour from the public.
This is not okay.
Take them a cake, a coffee, a cold drink, say thanks or hello, but never ever abuse people who are volunteering to help our region stay safe.
They have saved many lives on our beach and the three men pictured have given over 30 years combined volunteer service given to the club.
As reported in our previous issue, lifesavers and lifeguards will still be on beaches ready to respond, however to avoid people congregating in close proximity there will be no red and yellow flagged designated swimming areas.
All operation support services continue to operate and emergency response groups will remain on standby to respond to any major incidents.
