Anyone can become a member of Surf Life Saving! Surf Life Saving is Australia’s number one community based front line rescue service and welcomes membership of not only skilled male and female surf life savers, but also administrators, coaches, officials, athletes, supporters and children aged 6 – 13 years (nippers).
The Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club caters for all ages beyond that of 6 years of age (as at 30th September 2011). The club basically has two sections: Seniors and Juniors. Information on the Junior section can be found on the Juniors page of our website. Senior club members are aged from 14years onwards and support the primary function of the club: beach patrols. Click here for the information sheet with instructions on how to apply through Lifesaving Online to become a patrolling member at Point Leo SLSC. Please note that these instructions are for patrolling members only – not Nippers. Refer to the Junior page of this website for information regarding joining Point Leo SLSC as a Nipper.
Although the club has many activities, including social functions and competition, all of these activities contribute in some way or another to supporting the Club’s primary role of providing a safe beach for the public. It is for that reason that all active members aged 13 and over must train, qualify and attend beach patrols. All senior club members who wish to compete must attend a minimum of 16 hours patrol per season and hold the association’s Surf Rescue Certificate if 13 years old or the Bronze Medallion if 15 years and over.
The Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club prides itself on being a family club with a strong commitment to its junior ranks. The club has an active formal and informal social calendar catering for all membership categories.
For full details of the membership fees of Point Leo SLSC Inc click here.
Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club offers a range of different membership categories to suit the needs of all members. See the categories below to find which membership category is the right one for you.
All membership categories are based on a member’s age and are calculated as at 30th September each year.
Junior Activities Member (Nipper)
Instructions on how to apply for membership for children under 14 (Nippers) and their parents will be available in early October each year. Parents must hold a valid WWCC (see instructions below).
This category is for younger people aged 6-13 years who want to have fun and learn basic surf safety skills. Commonly known as “Nippers”, the program is focused on participation and fun. Activities include surf safety, surf swimming, board paddling, board rescue, beach activities, basic resuscitation and first aid. Each age group progresses through a Surf Education Certificate and the program also develops skills in leadership and teamwork. The program is designed to provide an educational experience in a wide range of subjects and skills within the aquatic environment and prepares junior lifesavers for their eventual transition to the patrol environment of the senior movement. The program aims to promote the spirit of camaraderie and citizenship within the community.
Please note we do not accept 5 year olds into our program. Proof of Age is required when joining.
Payment of the Nipper membership fee automatically enrols children as a nipper into the Junior Program.
Active Cadet Member
Cadets are between 13 and 15 years of age on a seasonal basis. Cadet members begin by training for the Surf Rescue Certificate, which is the minimum requirement to become a patrolling surf lifesaver. Active Cadets are the first line of being an active patrol member and are provided with on-the-job training with beach patrol duties. Upon gaining this award, Cadets will be placed on a beach patrol roster to perform beach patrols under supervision. See our Cadets page for more details on our Cadet program.
Active Junior Member
Active Juniors are those members between the age of 15 and 18 years who hold a Bronze Medallion Award. Active Juniors are involved in all areas of lifesaving and are also required to perform beach patrol duties in accordance with their membership and qualifications. Members in this membership category are also able to gain further lifesaving awards to increase their knowledge and skills including Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, Inflatable Rescue Boat Crew Certificate, Silver Medallion Life Support, Silver Medallion Inflatable Rescue Boat Driver, Senior First Aid and a Training Officers Certificate.
Active Senior Member
Active Seniors are those members over the age of 18 who hold the minimum requirement of the Bronze Medallion. Active members are also strongly encouraged to gain additional lifesaving awards to improve their lifesaving skills and knowledge e.g. Silver Medallion Inflatable Rescue Boat Driver, Patrol Captains Award, and other specialist awards.
Active Reserve
Active Reserve members are members who have completed eight years of voluntary service. Members at this level perform a minimum number of patrol hours. Applications for this membership category must be submitted for approval to the committee.
Long Service
A Long Service member is a lifesaver who has completed ten years of active service or eight years of active service plus four years of reserve active service. Members in this category are exempt from all patrol obligations. Applications for this membership category must be submitted for approval to the committee.
Award Member
Award Members are members who are proficient holders of one of the following awards: Radio Operators, Resuscitation Certificate, Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, Senior First Aid or a Surf Rescue Certificate. Members who have these qualifications can also assist with patrol operations. This category is perfect for members who are keen to help out but do not have the ability to perform the full active requirements.
Associate
An Associate Member shall be any person who is over the age of thirty (30) years or is a parent, guardian or spouse of a Member or in the opinion of the Committee cannot fulfill the duties of an active Member. An Associate Member shall have the rights and obligations of a Senior Active Member except they shall not be eligible to compete in competitions or be eligible for election to any official position associated with active life saving activities. It is a chance to become involved in the club socially, ideal for supporters and parents.
What are the benefits of joining Point Leo SLSC?
Surf Life Saving offers its members many benefits. As a member you can expect to:
- Have a great deal of fun
- Meet many new friends
- Gain satisfaction from performing a vital community service
- Learn to work in a team
- Get physically fit
- Become competitive
- Become involved in a club environment that promotes teamwork, community service and most of all an enjoyable social experience.
What skills can you gain?
Surf Life Saving also offers its members a range of skills that will provide an advantage in all aspects of life:
- Surf safety
- Basic operation of radios
- First Aid
- Rescue techniques
- Resuscitation techniques
- Leadership and teamwork
- Competition
If you require any further information on joining Point Leo SLSC please contact us via our contact form with the subject line: joining point leo.
Working with Children Check Information
The Working with Children Check (WWCC) is a State Government initiative which was introduced several years ago. It is a current check and ongoing cross-checking of criminal records for sex, drug or violence offences, with notification to LSV.
The following information is provided by Life Saving Victoria:
Keeping children safe is not just a moral obligation for Life Saving Victoria and its members, the “Working With Children Act 2005” (the Act) and LSV Policy AD6-05 (effective date 30 December 2008) requires all members to obtain a Working With Children Check to comply with the laws protecting children (U18) from physical and sexual harm. There are NO EXEMPTIONS under the LSV policy. This includes members whose professions require a police check for employment purposes, including teachers and police officers. The legal ramifications for breaches of the Act include fines up to $27,000 and/or up to 2 years jail. This may impact on public liability insurance eligibility.
To ensure our members are operating within the legal framework, it is compulsory for all members over 18 years to obtain the WWCC prior to joining the club or immediately upon turning 18 years of age.
To obtain a volunteer WWCC (volunteer WWCC’s are free):
- Applications can be obtained from Australia Post outlets.
- Read and complete the required informationusing black pen (except the signature component) (please use code 70 in Section D)
- In the ‘Details of Organisation/s’ (Section E), please enter both Life Saving Victoriaand Point Leo SLSC Inc details:
| Primary Organisation: | Other Organisation: |
| Life Saving Victoria | Point Leo SLSC Inc |
| PO Box 353 | 44/113 Country Club Drive |
| SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205 | Safety Beach Vic 3936 |
| Phone: 03 9676 6930 | Phone: 59872680 |
- Provide 100 points of identification (refer to application form)
- Provide a passport size photo (must be regulated size and taken within the last 12 months)
- Lodge at Australia Post and receive an‘Application Receipt’ (back page of application form), as evidence of submitting your form.
The application receipt acts as a temporary WWCC until your application is processed. Once you have lodged your application and obtained a receipt, you can partake in activities involving children. The verified receipt can be used until the application is decided, or for a maximum of sixty (60) days from the date of issue, whichever occurs sooner.
At Point Leo all members aged 18 and over must supply a copy of their WWCC card or proof of lodgement of a WWCC with their membership applications. Without this proof membership applications will not be accepted – NO EXEMPTIONS. Please do not lodge a membership application until you have your WWCC.
If you already have a WWCC you must complete a Change of Personal Details Form to add Point Leo SLSC and LSV to your existing card. You must also list all of your existing organisations or employment on this form to ensure they remain current. If Point Leo SLSC and LSV are not added to your WWCC, your membership application will not be accepted – NO EXEMPTIONS.
What happens if you don’t receive a Card?
The WWCC looks for criminal activity relevant to the physical and sexual safety of children under 18years of age. If a member has their application denied, they are issued with a Negative Notice by the Victorian Department of Justice. The member (applicant) and Life Saving Victoria’s CEO will be informed. It is important to understand that Life Saving Victoria maintains strict adherence to privacy legislation which regulates such personal information being broadcast to a wider audience.
If a member does have their application denied, they cannot be a member of Life Saving Victoria.
Working with Children Check – are your details up to date?
Have you moved house, changed jobs or where you volunteer and perhaps forgotten to tell the Department of Justice? Keeping your contact and child-related work details up to date is an important responsibility of WWC Check cardholders and applicants so you can be notified of changes in the status of your card and when the card is due for renewal.
Did you know you must inform the Department of Justice within 21 days every time you change employers or voluntary organisation? This is
a legal requirement under the Working with Children Act 2005. You are committing an offence with financial penalties if you fail to do so.
If you have moved house or changed employer or volunteer organisation update your details at the WWC Check website https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/wwccu or call the Information Line on 1300 652 879.
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