New Lifeguard facility at One Mile Beach, Port Stephens makes swimming safer FEATURED Nelson Bay (Tomaree Peninsula areas) Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 20, 2017 Australian Lifeguard Services Danny and Joe on duty at the new facility at One Mile Beach using the helpful elevation to keep an eye on people. Photo by Marian Sampson. ONE Mile Beach is home to a new state-of-the-art Life Guard Facility which has opened just in time for the busy beach season in Port Stephens. Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE The $840,000 Port Stephens Council facility was primarily funded by a Crown Reserve Trust grant. Brock Lamont, Port Stephens Council’s Community and Recreation Coordinator, said, “This is a massive upgrade from the previous building, designed in consultation with the local lifeguards to ensure that it meets their needs and there’s no doubt it will have a huge impact on their important work of keeping our beaches safe.” The building has a first aid room, an elevated shark observation tower and room to store equipment. Phil Rock, the lifeguard supervisor for Australian Lifeguard Services, who contract services to Port Stephens Council, told News Of The Area “The lifeguards patrol Fingal Beach and Birubi Beach Monday to Friday and One Mile Beach seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm and 9am to 6pm during the summer school holidays; on weekends we work with the volunteer teams from the Surf Life Saving Clubs to make our beaches safe for swimmers.” He believes that the two services both send out similar messages when it comes to being beach and surf safe. Always swim between the red and yellow flags, never swim alone, and if you do get in trouble, don’t panic; raise your hand for help. “The lifeguard service averages 20 to 30 rescues each year but the goal of having lifeguards on the beaches is really about preventing the need for swimmers to be rescued,” he said. Council’s Contracts and Services Coordinator, Ian Crawford said, “The Australian Lifeguard Service will once again be hitting the beaches to provide professional lifeguards across Port Stephens, with support from our trusted volunteer Surf Life Saving clubs.” By Marian SAMPSON
