United Energy helping Frankston High students save lives
More than 20 Frankston High School students are benefitting from a potentially life saving initiative, and preparing for a big summer on the local peninsula beaches.
The "United Energy Portsea Life Saving Program" supports students who may come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds, and provides opportunities and financial backing aimed at teenagers who may not have been able to gain valuable experience otherwise. It includes training and certification in CPR with mannequins, the use of defibrillation machines, first aid treatments and other lifesaving skills
The education program has been running for two years and continues to grow, culminating with a heavily-subsidised school camp at the Portsea SLSC clubhouse later in the year. The camp is expected to host up to 50 students.
This sponsorship from United Energy also allows the surf club to offer discounted memberships for the Frankston High students who patrol on the Portsea beach, and for the purchase of equipment the school can use for training.
It is managed and conducted by former school teacher and Portsea member HENRY KISS, who works with fellow member JAMES CAMERON, the school’s Lifesaving Coordinator. Together the pair ensures that regardless of the students background or position, everyone who wants to can take part in the training. The program is part of an integrated outdoor ed syllabus including the Advance Resuscitation Techniques course (ART) and hosts students from years 7-12.
Given the successful uptake at Frankston High School, the initiative may be extended to other schools and clubs on the peninsula.
Quotes attributable to HENRY KISS - Portsea SLSC Centre of Excellence Program leader:
Collectively, this program offers some students who may not always have the means to do volunteer work a chance to learn vital life saving skills and an ability to contribute to society
The support from United Energy is invaluable, we run some really big and really important programs. The full cost for some of our camps is quite expensive and it is only through the generosity of United Energy, who subsidise the Frankston High program and the camp, that kids from any background have an opportunity to come down to Portsea and be involved over summer.
It overcomes socio-economic barriers, we have twins in this class so imagine that Mum trying to pay for everything herself and then having to do it twice. You can’t put a price on these opportunities, and with United Energy's support it means we can offer something to a bigger group of people and those who may not be able to afford it otherwise.
One of our students Zoe did over 50 patrol hours last summer, and they are not just learning lifesaving, but it's leadership and personal development, important first aid and CPR skills. These are nationally recognised courses they can travel with around Australia or around the world.
All the data is pointing towards a long hot summer, so we are expecting to be super busy on the beaches, and it’s a good time to remind everyone to swim between the flags, never swim alone and get in the pool now and get fit for summer and ready to go.
Quotes attributable to NINA IVANOVIC - United Energy Brand & Partnerships Lead | Corporate Affairs:
At United Energy we know how important beach safety is to our customers across the Mornington Peninsula, which is why we are so proud of our partnership with Portsea Surf Life Saving Club. The club's Centre of Excellence education programme, which we support directly, provides surf and water safety education programmes to schools and community groups across our network.
We live, work, and play in the communities we serve, and it's great to see firsthand at Frankston High School today how they're developing skills that will stay with them for a lifetime, and while we hope they never have to be used, they might one day save a life in our local waters.
Quotes attributable to JAMES CAMERON Frankston High School Outdoor Ed Teacher and Lifesaving Coordinator:
Having United Energy’s support is massive for the school, allows us to run the program and provide these unique opportunities and build connections into the community and through the school as well, from years levels 7-12, its much appreciated and helps our program enormously.
Every session we run at the school is supported by United Energy and the partnership they provide through Portsea – and it it allows us to keep the program running through colder winter months and includes the equipment that we have purchased through the United energy sponsorship.
The camp at the end of the year at Portsea is massive, it’s the big-ticket item for the students and the skills are hugely valuable through the Frankston area. The beach is really popular so the more the students know the more they can pass on some the skills and knowledge to friends and family and we all use the beach, makes the community a safer place.
Quotes attributable to students in the program:
Zoe Jones - Year 9
I think it’s very important to have this training because it can help with people’s lives and everyday situations because you never know what could happen, and it would be great if everyone had these qualifications, and we could keep everyone safe.
There is a lot of support there, Portsea do a great job there hosting the camps and providing the training and United Energy helping us out to get there as well. It’s great to have that support and our group meets every Tuesday and connect and it’s a great environment to come and learn where you are all friends.
Henry Code - Year 9
It’s pretty good and gives us an opportunity to learn lifelong skills and that doesn’t matter if you out on patrol to save someone or just in a workplace or at school and we know we can help people in the community – good to know thanks to United Energy and Portsea I can offer something more to the community.
I started this in year 7 and love surfing and it's great to develop new life skills.
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Anyone wanting to learn more can contact Portsea Surf Life Saving Club or log onto lsv.com.au for details on courses
Summer safety messages
- Never swim alone, always go with a friend so you can keep an eye on each, plus it’s more fun!
- During the summer patrol season, swim between the red and yellow flags where lifesavers can keep an eye on you, as well as any potential aquatic risks
- Winter is a great time to practice your swimming skills in a controlled environment, such as a public pool under the watchful eye of lifeguards, or to enrol your children in swimming lessons
- If you plan on swimming or recreating at an inland waterway, enter feet first and slowly, beware of hidden risks such as debris, currents, and unstable edges or slippery rocks, and if boating or fishing wear a lifejacket
- Learning CPR and first aid, like these students from Frankston High School are today, are valuable skills that one day may allow you to save a life should the worst happen
Life Saving Victoria offers a range of courses, to find out more visit lsv.com.au