United Energy. The essential partner of Portsea Surf Life Saving Club.
United Energy. The essential partner of Portsea Surf Life Saving Club.
United Energy’s partnership with Portsea Surf Life Saving Club reflects a shared commitment to safety, preparedness and looking out for our community, especially as summer approaches.
Safety is at the heart of everything we do at United Energy. And along the Mornington Peninsula, our backyard, beach safety matters. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Portsea Surf Life Saving Club (PSLSC) to run the Centre of Excellence education program, which delivers vital surf and water safety education to schools and community groups across our network.
Every year, there is a high risk of drowning on the Peninsula, with a 96% likelihood that the individual involved will be a local resident. Warning signs alone are insufficient, and standard swimming lessons do not adequately prepare children for the unique challenges of swimming in open water.
Now in its sixth year, the Centre of Excellence is creating real, lasting change through education, giving more people the skills and confidence to stay safe in and around the water. The program focuses not only on immediate lifesaving skills, but also on long-term prevention, ensuring the spirit of surf lifesaving continues to thrive for generations to come.
The program also provides inclusive opportunities for students and community members to gain essential swimming and water safety skills, regardless of location, physical capability, cultural background or socio-economic circumstances.
Meet Henry Kiss, Centre of Excellence Director.
Our partnership with PSLSC provides funding for a full-time Centre of Excellence Director, enabling experienced educator and lifelong lifesaver Henry Kiss to lead and deliver the program year-round.
Henry manages and conducts surf and water safety education programs for schools and community groups across the Mornington Peninsula, working closely with Lifesaving Victoria to deliver practical, inclusive training that removes barriers to participation. With United Energy’s support, Henry is able to focus full-time on expanding the reach of the Centre of Excellence, ensuring more students and community members gain the skills, confidence and knowledge to stay safe in and around the water.
Primary School Day Camps.
One of the standout programs delivered through the Centre of Excellence is the Primary School Day Camps. Across the 2025-26 season, more than 1,200 students took part in the program, many experiencing the beach for the very first time.
Nine schools from across the Mornington Peninsula participated, including Woodleigh School and primary schools in Balnarring, Dromana, Hastings, Somers, Sorrento, Crib Point, Tootgarook and St Joseph’s.
The day camps also create valuable, hands-on work experience for Frankston High School students who have achieved their Bronze Medallion qualifications through a United Energy supported five-day training camp at Portsea Surf Life Saving Club.
Community and cultural program expansion.
The Centre of Excellence continues to grow its community reach, with a strong focus on increasing multicultural engagement. A new ‘Pool to Beach’ program was introduced, supporting up to 50 culturally and linguistically diverse families who stay on site at the Portsea Camp facilities while taking part in the program.
We also delivered the ‘Uni Beach’ education program, welcoming 70 international students from Swinburne University to learn about rip currents and other open-water hazards – helping build confidence, awareness and beach safety knowledge for those newly navigating our coastlines.