Surf Life Saving Australia’s report What is the economic contribution of Surf Life Saving in Australia demonstrates the importance of volunteers in Australia, Minister for Sport Mark Arbib said today.

Launching the report at Parliament House in Canberra, Minister Arbib said all Australians appreciated the dedication Australia’s 153,000 surf lifesavers made to ensure beaches around Australia were kept safe.

“The report, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, states that in 2009-2010 volunteer lifesavers patrolled Australian beaches for 1.3 million hours, helping to avoid an estimated 596 additional drowning deaths and 555 additional permanent injuries,” Senator Arbib said.

“The report says the total estimated economic value of Surf Life Saving’s coastal drowning and injury prevention efforts to Australia is $3.6 billion

“This report highlights the importance of volunteers to the Australian economy.  Each year volunteers around Australia contribute 730 million hours of unpaid work worth up to $15 billion to the Australian economy.

“We know Australia’s surf lifesavers and lifeguards are dedicated to the prevention of death and permanent injury in the surf, but this report also shows what they give back to the wider economy.

“As we head towards the summer months this report is a timely reminder of the selfless work of our surf lifesavers and lifeguards in making our beaches safer.

“It also reminds us that we must all be vigilant about water safety, especially our children and older people.”

The Federal Government has committed $37 million over four years to promote water safety throughout the community and support the water safety programs run by Surf Life Saving Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia and AUSTSWIM.