Royal Life Saving celebrates 125 years of Aussie service

This year marks 125 years of service by the Royal Life Saving Society in Australia. To celebrate the occasion, a black-tie ball was held at Dockside in Brisbane, Queensland in April.

Royal Life Saving Queensland president, Les Mole says the Queensland board was pleased to host such a memorable occasion.

“The focus of the evening was to highlight the exemplary efforts of our army of volunteers who are as committed today as they were back in 1894,” he says.

“Although innovation over time has changed some of the technical aspects of rescue and resuscitation, the general principles of saving a person’s life still remain relevant today.”

The Royal Life Saving Society in Australia remains affiliated to the founding organisation in England, and still has official recognition by Royal Charter.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll attended the function. Commissioner Carroll was recently named as Queensland’s first female police commissioner in the 155-year history of the state’s police service.

Carroll says that “keeping our wonderful state safe” is a priority of the police service, and Mole says the society looks forward to working with the commissioner to ensure the drowning toll is reduced.

Several RLSS members received honours on the night, and a bravery award was presented to Ayden Driscoll for saving his brother from drowning in a lake.

Photo L to R: Paul Barry, executive director Royal Life Saving Qld, Cameron Eglington, president Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Commissioner Katarina Carroll APM, and Les Mole, president Royal Life Saving Queensland