Deputy Mayor of Gold Coast City Council, Ms Donna Gates; President of the International Life Saving Federation, Mr Graham Ford AO and Executives; Surf Life Saving Queensland President, Mr Gerard O’Brien, Members of the Board and CEO Mr Dave Whimpey; Chair of the Lifesaving World Championships 2024 Mr Ron Rankin AM; International Lifesaving Representatives; Presidents of International Federations; Local Surf Club and Branch Presidents; competitors; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
Thank you to the local Yugambeh community members for their Welcome to Country and for sharing their traditions and culture with us. I too, would like to by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around the Gold Coast, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.
As Governor of Queensland, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today to the official opening of the Lifesaving World Championships for 2024.
I think you will agree the Gold Coast is among the best places not only in Queensland – but also in Australia and the world – to be holding an event of this magnitude and importance.
Planned and delivered by Surf Life Saving Queensland, of which I am proud Patron, these Championships will draw over 7,000 competitors, officials and volunteers from more than 50 nations, competing over 20 days in such events as ocean swimming and ski paddling, pool and ocean rescue, surf boat and IRB racing and beach track events, to name a few.
Given the early indications that lifesaving may be included in the Olympics, and hopefully in time for 2032 when the Games are held here in Queensland, what better way to inspire kids and even young adults to join their local surf lifesaving club or swim squad!
In addition to providing quite a boost to our local economy, the event will host a General Assembly of all International Life Saving nations to progress the role of drowning prevention globally. The need for this is particularly acute in developing nations and places where lifesaving is not as well established as it is, for example, here in Australia.
On that, I am led to understand that India is sending its largest ever team to compete at this year’s championships, while all ages and skill and ability levels from many other nations will also be well represented.
Here in the state of Queensland, we are certainly blessed with our fair share of magnificent beaches and waterways, which — coupled with mild winters — provide year-round opportunities for swimming, surfing and all manner of water-based activities.
However, this abundance of opportunities for aquatic sports and leisure activities comes with a rather sizeable catch — our oceans, rivers, lakes, dams, billabongs and yes, even our pools, are full of danger. And no, I’m not talking about the sharks, snakes, crocodiles, spiders, poisonous fish, or all manner of potentially deadly creatures that our nation is renowned for!
Earlier this month, Surf Life Saving Australia and Royal Life Saving Australia released the latest National Drowning Report, and the statistics are sobering indeed.
The report highlights a troubling increase in drowning incidents across Australia, with 323 deaths over the past year — 14 per cent higher than the previous year.
These drowning rates are disproportionately high among adults over 65, and a significant number of victims are from disadvantaged or migrant communities. Coastal drownings remain the highest, with many occurring far from lifesaving services.
The report calls for increased community focus on water safety education, better access to swimming programs, and vigilance around water, especially for vulnerable populations.
So, as well resourced and effective as our lifesaving organisations here in Australia are, there is still more to do, and we must all continue to do our bit to grow that support and advocacy for drowning prevention.
I would like to thank you all for your continued efforts and for bringing this important event to our shores.
Good luck to all competitors and may I be so bold and optimistic to suggest we look forward to hosting many of you here again in 2032!
It now gives me great pleasure to declare the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships officially open.
