In This Edition
- From The Editor
- President’s Update
- ILSAR 2026 Recap
- ISLSC at the Wonthaggi Police Family Day
- Rotary Rypen Program Review
- Lifesaving Operations Update
- Training Update
- Nippers
- Membership & Leadership Development Update
- Sponsors
From The Editor
Happy October everyone,
This is one of our biggest newsletters yet, and for good reason. With the official lifesaving season only weeks away, there is a lot to get across, so it’s worth reading through to the end.
Inside you’ll meet the new Life Saving Operations, Training and ML&D committees, find this season’s patrol hours alongside the LSV paid lifeguard and Rescue Water Craft schedules, and get the key dates for skills maintenance, the Annual Gear Inspection and the Club Working Bee. There are updates on Bronze and SRC courses, a strong start to Nippers enrolments, and the launch of Youth Salties, a brand new program for our 13 to 17 year olds. We also look back on ILSAR, our day at the Wonthaggi Police Family Day and Morrie’s RYPEN experience, plus a round-up of camps for our younger members.
If you only do two things after reading this, book your skills maintenance before 31 December and fill out the Patrol Survey.
See you on the beach.
Xavier Korbel
Director of Member Engagement
President’s Update
There is a real sense that summer is getting closer at Inverloch, and plenty has been happening around the Club.
Our recent Community Dune Planting Day was a terrific success. It was great to see club members, local community members and our partners come together to continue the important work of restoring and protecting the dunes in front of the Club. After such a significant coastal project, these planting days are an important part of helping the new dunes establish and become more resilient.
A big thank you to everyone involved in organising the day, particularly those working alongside the South Gippsland Conservation Society, and to all those who turned up, got their hands dirty and helped out. It was a great example of what can be achieved when the Club and wider Inverloch community work together.
Another fantastic initiative recently was our Inverloch Life Saving Search and Rescue Program, ILSAR. Around 20 of our emerging lifesavers took part in the four-day program, developing practical search and rescue skills while also working alongside Victoria Police and other emergency services.
Congratulations to everyone involved in organising and delivering ILSAR, and particularly to our young members who participated. Programs like this are about much more than learning technical skills. They build confidence, leadership, teamwork and relationships with the agencies our lifesavers may one day be working alongside during a real emergency. Seeing the program recognised in the local media was also a great reflection of the work being done by our volunteers.
Meanwhile, there is plenty going on behind the scenes as we prepare for the season ahead. Our Board, Senior Leadership Team and volunteers are working through patrols, training, Nippers, equipment, facilities, events, member activities and all the other pieces that need to come together before summer really gets underway. Much of this work happens quietly, but it takes a lot of people putting in time now to make the Club run smoothly when the beach gets busy.
And with the weather finally starting to behave itself, there is another good reason to call past the Club. Claudia has the Kiosk open each weekend, so drop in for a coffee, say hello and enjoy one of the best views in Inverloch.
There is a lot ahead of us, but we have a strong team and a clear direction.
Most importantly, we want members involved. If you see an activity, program or opportunity that interests you, put your hand up. Our Club will continue to be successful because people choose to contribute, not because a small group tries to do everything.
The momentum is building, the days are getting longer and another summer at Inverloch is just around the corner.
Glenn Arnold
President, Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club
ILSAR 2026 Recap
From 30 September to 3 October, 15 young lifesavers aged 15 to 18 came together at Inverloch SLSC for the third running of ILSAR, the Inverloch Life Saving Search and Rescue camp. This year it grew again, with candidates joining us from Venus Bay and Waratah as well as Inverloch.
ILSAR was named the 2024 SLSA and LSV Innovation of the Year, and its aim hasn’t changed: give developing lifesavers a real taste of how the emergency services work together. This year’s candidates heard from Victoria Police (uniformed members, Water Police and the Proactive Policing Unit), Ambulance Victoria, the state’s only marine SES unit, and LSV’s Communications team, Professional Lifeguard Service and Rescue Water Craft Operators. They then put it into practice through search and rescue and first aid scenarios, with time on the water in IRBs and rescue water craft on hand.
The weather did its best to stop us, and unfortunately cost us the SES SAREX, but the candidates stuck with it. Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue was also on offer for eligible candidates. One candidate wrote, “I’d recommend this camp for anyone who likes pushing themselves to help others.”.
A huge thank you to our partner agencies, our volunteer trainers, and everyone at Inverloch SLSC who helped. The camp also made the South Gippsland Sentinel-Times: https://www.sgst.com.au/training-for-when-tragedy-strikes/
Planning for 2027 is already under way.
Images: Group photo with Police courtesy of SGST. Paramedic Jono Li shows lifesavers advanced airway tools. ISLSC Lifesaver Harriette deploys a fire extinguisher at the SES Inverloch Base.
ISLSC at the Wonthaggi Police Family Day
On Sunday 4 October, six senior Inverloch members represented regional lifesaving at the Wonthaggi Police Station Family Open Day, standing alongside SES, CFA, Ambulance Victoria and a host of police stalls.
Our stall paired educational resources with hands-on activities. Kids practised using radios and rescue tubes, got up close to our rescue water craft, and went wild for the bubbles and other fun activities.
As you can see from the photos, it wasn’t just fun for the attending kids; our members got up close and personal with highway patrol vehicles, mock crime scenes, and the holding cells!
It was a resounding success, and a great chance to show local families what lifesaving looks like beyond the patrol flags. It also served as a valuable opportunity to connect and chat with other regional services. Thanks to everyone who gave up their Sunday: Mathias Twomey, Ava Rose Houben-Carter, Josh Robinson, Jono Li, Bella Perich and Xavier Korbel. Thanks as well to Victoria Police for hosting, and to LSV for supplying the merch.
Rotary Rypen Program Review
At the start of the September school holidays I was lucky enough to be sponsored by the Inverloch Rotary Club to participate in the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) which is a 3 day camp run by an amazing group of volunteers from Rotary clubs around the Gippsland district.
Over the course of the camp I got to hear from a wide range of different guest speakers who spoke about their own personal experiences. As well as participate in a variety of fun team and individual challenges that tested what it means to be a good leader.
Thanks Rotary for the opportunity!
Morrie Tatnall
Lifesaving Operations Update
Introducing the Life Saving Operations Committee (LSOC) for 26/27
Every season starts with the people behind it. The LSOC is the group that keeps our patrolling and emergency response running; from rostering and training through to the calls made on the beach when it counts. This year’s committee brings together familiar faces and some new ones, and we’re so glad to have all of them on board.
Please join us in welcoming:
Club Captain – Holly Foster
Vice Club Captain, Patrol and People – Sam Dimopoulos
- Patrol Rostering Coordinator – Isaac Korbel
- Patrol Standards Coordinator – James O’Neill
- Patrol Captains – to be confirmed
Vice Club Captain, Gear and Equipment – Currently vacant
- First Aid Officer – Jason Hunter
- Deputy First Aid Officer – Bella Perich
- Gear Stewards – Morrie Tatnall and Jake Hetrelezis
- IRB Captain – Milla Laub
- Junior Club Captains – Mia Sutherland and Lucas Jungwirth
Alongside the committee, two members have put their hand up to help with member connection and wellbeing this season. Thank you Saskia Cehun and Emma Morgan, making sure people feel connected and supported is just as much a part of a strong patrol season as the skills and the gear.
To everyone stepping into a role this season: thank you. And to the wider membership, these are the people to go to with questions, ideas, or anything you need on patrol. Here’s to a strong season.
Annual Gear Inspection: can you please lend a hand?
Sunday 15 November | 10am-1pm | Inverloch SLSC
We’re calling on all members to lend a hand at our upcoming Annual Gear Inspection, hosted by Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and organised and run by our gear stewards, Jake and Morrie.
There’s plenty to get through, and extra helping hands will make a real difference. It’s a great opportunity to support the club and help get our lifesaving equipment ready for the season.
Lunch will be provided for everyone who helps out.
If you’re available, please email our gear stewards to let them know you can attend, so Jake and Morrie can plan for the day.
Many thanks in advance to everyone who can help. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated!
First Patrol of the Season
It’s almost here. On Saturday 21st of November the flags are going up once again as the patrolling season kicks off.
We patrol every weekend and public holiday from Saturday 21 November 2026 through to Sunday 11 April 2027.
Early season (21 Nov to 24 Dec): Saturdays 1pm to 4pm, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 4pm
Peak season (25 Dec to 31 Jan): Saturdays 1pm to 6pm, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 6pm
Late season (1 Feb to 11 Apr): Saturdays 1pm to 5pm, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 4pm
In order to patrol you must complete a skills maintenance or requal before the 31st of December. Your awards will be suspended until you complete a skills maintenance. Please see the Training Update of the newsletter for more information.
LSV Paid Lifeguards at Inverloch this summer
Alongside our volunteer patrols, Life Saving Victoria places paid lifeguards on our beach through the busiest stretch of the season. They work from our clubhouse and use our response and first aid equipment, so you will see them around the building as well as on the sand.
When they are here: Monday 29 December 2026 to Monday 25 January 2027
- Weekdays: 10am to 6pm
- Saturdays: 10am to 1pm, handing over to our volunteer patrol at 1pm
This is the part of the season where the beach is busiest and our volunteer patrols are only on weekends, so the weekday lifeguard service fills a real gap. It also means that on peak season Saturdays there is professional cover from 10am until our patrol takes over, giving us continuous eyes on the water from mid morning right through to 6pm.
Rescue Water Craft to be based at our club
LSV’s Rescue Water Craft, the jet ski, is hosted out of Inverloch again this season. It gives us a fast response capability for offshore and out of flag incidents, and it operates across a much longer window than our patrols do.
Operating hours are 11am to 7pm across three periods:
- Pre season: 21 November to 25 December 2026, Saturdays only
- Peak season: 26 December 2026 to 26 January 2027, seven days a week
- Post season: 27 January to 29 March 2027, Saturdays only
Worth noting that through peak season the RWC is on the water every day, and it stays out until 7pm, an hour after our patrol packs up. It is a genuine asset to have based here, and part of hosting it is providing secure storage and a club contact for LSV through the season.
Patrol Survey
If you haven’t filled this out yet, now’s the time. It takes a couple of minutes and it’s what allows us to place everyone in the right patrol team and plan properly for the months ahead. The more responses we get early, the fewer gaps we’re chasing later.
Annual Club Working Bee – Let’s Beat Last Year’s Record!
Friday 8 January 2027 | 12 – 4pm | Inverloch SLSC
Our Annual Club Working Bee is coming up, and we’d love to see plenty of members lending a hand! Join us after Nippers for an afternoon of club maintenance, cleaning and tidying to get our club back into rescue-ready, clean and sparkling order.
Last year, 20 members rolled up their sleeves, can we beat that turnout this time? Working together makes a big difference, and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with fellow members while giving our shared spaces some care.
As a thank you, a meal and drink will be provided afterwards at The Deck Bar for everyone who helps.
Pop the date in your calendar, bring your helping hands and join us for a productive afternoon followed by a well-earned catch-up.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Team App
As always, Team App is our central hub for patrol communications and updates. Make sure you’re signed up and that your notifications are switched on, it’s where the important stuff lands first.
Training Update
Introducing the Training Committee for the 26/27 Season
Please give a warm welcome to your Training Committee for the 2026/2027 Season! Throughout the season the Training Committee works tirelessly to organise all the amazing courses that we host at Inverloch, from Bronze Camp to First Aid, Crew and Drivers courses. There is a lot of planning that goes on behind the scenes to get all of the courses up and running and it all thanks to the amazing training committee putting in the hard yards. Thank you so much to those that have volunteered to be a part of the team.
Aquatic Rescue Coordinator: Saskia Cehun
Powercraft Coordinator: Xavier Korbel
Emergency Care Coordinator: Vacant
Special Programs Coordinator: Vacant
Skills Maintenance Coordinator: Vacant
A few positions are still vacant and in need of volunteers! If you are interested in a role or would like to learn more about the roles please send an email to chiefinstructor@islsc.org.au or fill out the EOI form: https://forms.gle/Uxku3UYPF11bDzCX8
It would be great to have a few more people on board!
Additionally, if you would like to head train, train or water safety on a course this season please fill out the EOI form: https://forms.gle/Uxku3UYPF11bDzCX8
Upcoming Courses Updates
Bronze Medallion
The Bronze Medallion Course filled up in record time, with all spots taken within the hour of the course being opened! It is amazing to see so many new and returning members sign up for our most popular course of the season.
If you were able to snag a spot on the course please keep an eye out for an email about registrations coming soon.
If you missed out, please sign up to the waitlist on HelloClubs and as soon as we have spots available you will be notified. The training committee and I are working hard to have as many people on the course as possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Surf Rescue Certificate
The Surf Rescue Certificate has also filled up, with all 32 available spots taken. As with the Bronze Medallion course, some more spots may become available so please sign up to the waitlist on Hello Club and keep an eye out for emails about updates.
After School Nippers SRC Course
The adults SRC Course scheduled for the 10th and 11th of October has been postponed due to lack of trainers able to run the course. The dates will be rescheduled to later in the year, so those of you interested in water safety or supervising your child at After School Nippers please keep an eye out for updates to come soon about the next available course.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to chiefinstructor@islsc.org.au.
Patrolling members: Book your skills maintenance
If you are on the patrol roster this season, this one is for you. Every award expires on 31 December. If you have not requalled by then your qualifications are not valid, and you cannot patrol until you have completed a skills maintenance session. That leaves your patrol short and someone else covering your spot.
Four sessions are running:
- Saturday 14 November, 9am to 12pm
- Saturday 28 November, 9am to 12pm
- Saturday 5 December, 9am to 12pm
- Sunday 27 December, 9am to 2pm
How to register
Sign up through the LSV Member Training Portal and complete the online learning before your practical session. You cannot be signed off on the day without it. Sign ups to skills maintenance sessions will be open on Monday the 5th of October.
If you have any issues with signing up to a skills maintenance or in completing online learning please contact chiefinstructor@islsc.org.au
Nippers
Welcome to our newest Starfish!
We’re thrilled to welcome 10 families to our Starfish Nippers program this season, with another 4 already on the waitlist! It’s fantastic to see so many young members starting or continuing their surf lifesaving journey with us.
Spots are filling fast
Our summer Nippers program is already over 70% full, which is an outstanding result and a real reflection of our club community. If you haven’t enrolled yet, please get your enrolment in ASAP before spots run out:
👉 https://islsc.org.au/lifesaving/education/nippers/
Volunteers needed: every family helps out
Nippers runs on the energy and support of our families, and we’re still looking for volunteers. If your family is enrolled in Nippers, you’re required to help out in some way during the program. Water safety, set-up, marshalling and helping on the day all make a real difference.
We’re also looking for Age Managers to lead our age groups this season. It’s a hugely rewarding role and a great way to help our Nippers build skills, confidence and a love of the beach.
Sign up to volunteer or become an Age Manager here:
👉 https://volunteersignup.org/TLR83
Key dates for 2026/27
- Prelim Swim: conducted on the first day of Nippers
- Week 1: 28, 29, 30, 31 December
- Week 2: 3, 4, 5, 6 January
- Bass Coast Nippers Friendly Carnival: 7 January at ISLSC
We can’t wait to see everyone on the beach this summer. Let’s make it a great one!
Membership & Leadership Development Update
New Program – Youth Salties!!
It is my absolute pleasure to be able to announce that ISLSC will be trialing a brand new LSV program for the 26/27 season. Named Youth Salties, after the largely successful Silver Salties. The program is targeted for youth members aged 13-17 and is aimed to help make new friends, take on new challenges and to have fun in the process!
The program is split into 4 different streams, all focusing on different areas within lifesaving. With one, 2 hour session each week, you will be involved in fun, inclusive and low-pressure sessions.
What to expect
Each session will be split into 30 minute sessions focused on the different streams. More information will be sent out to those who express interest as it gets closer to the date. You can expect beach soccer, Yoga sessions, wave catching clinics, pathways fairs and all wrapped up with a Sunset social night at the conclusion.
You do not have to attend all sessions however it is strongly recommended for the flow of all sessions.
Dates:
- Saturday 5th of December (Saturday prior to bronze camp)
- Sunday 13th of December (Sunday after bronze camp)
- Saturday 19th of December
- Sunday 27th of December (Youth Forum)
- Tuesday 29th of December
- Tuesday 5th of January
- Sunday 24th of January (Final Evening Event)
APPLY NOW
You can register your interest via the form below, It is largely to gauge numbers for the program. You will also join the email list to receive more specific information about each session.
https://forms.gle/KFZ3RLGnYu2fPjK99
If you have any questions please feel free to send me an email, Jackson – development@islsc.org.au
MLD Committee
Please welcome our newly appointed ML&D Committee members. Thank you to all those that applied. I am looking forward to working with everyone this season. There are still two positions vacant, Grommet Gurus Coordinator and Pride Patrol Coordinator, if either of these roles interest you please apply here.
MLD Committee
- YIPs Coordinator – Coral Kratzmann + Isaac Korbel
- Junior Club Captains – Mia Sutherland + Lucas Jungwirth
- LSV Camps and Courses Coordinator – Sarah Weeks
- Grommet Gurus Coordinator – VACANT
Specialty Patrol Committee
- Blue Patrol – Isaac Korbel
- Pink Patrol – Bella Perich
- Green Patrol – Coral Kratzmann
- Pride Patrol – VACANT
Under 15 Development Camp Opportunity
LSV’s U15 Leadership and Development Camp:
This live-in camp focuses on helping young members build confidence, resilience, belonging, and leadership identity through challenge, teamwork, and real-world experiences. Participants are mentored by current volunteer state leaders, and will have the opportunity to learn, share and network with like-minded young lifesavers and new mentors from across the state.
Camp Objectives:
- develop self-awareness, leadership and understanding of team dynamics
- enhance knowledge of lifesaving pathways and opportunities, and how members can contribute to their club
- develop a network of friends across the state in a welcoming and supportive environment
- broaden lifesaving skills
- gain an understanding of individual leadership styles, and how our actions impact others
Details:
Participants: active 14-15 year old club members who are looking for a head start in lifesaving development
Dates: 27-29 November 2026
Location: YMCA Anglesea
Cost: $550
Applications open soon – keep an eye out!
(Note: Applicants need a written endorsement from their club and must be 14-15 years old at time of camp)
Bass District Development Camp 2027
This January, we’re celebrating 20 years of Dev Camp.
It started in 2007 at Waratah Beach, where the six Bass District clubs came together to fill critical qualification gaps on our beaches. This nationally leading program has since inspired similar programs across SLS Tasmania, SLS NSW and SLS Queensland.
What You’ll Do:
- Take part in realistic, hands-on scenarios where you coordinate incidents, manage patients and work alongside emergency services to build practical teamwork, decision-making, and crisis response skills
- Work towards awards including First Aid and Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, IRB Crew and Silver Medallion IRB Driver
- Hear from guest speakers across lifesaving and the emergency services sector
- See demonstrations from Ambulance Victoria, Marine Rescue and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter
Details:
Who: Active members aged 15-18 looking to advance from their Bronze
Dates: 10-16 January 2027
Location: Live-in camp at Waratah Beach SLSC
Cost: Approx $450
APPLICATIONS CLOSE SOON
Youth Symposium:
The LSVj Youth Symposium returns in 2026 with a dynamic, action-packed agenda designed to inspire, challenge, and empower lifesavers aged 13–17. The day includes challenges, workshops and more designed by youth for youth. Including SPECIAL GUEST Dean Gladstone from Bondi Rescue.
If you are interested in making friends from around the state and are passionate about developing your leadership skills or learning more about opportunities in lifesaving this could be the day for you.
Hosted on Saturday, 25 October at LSV Head Office this full-day event blends fun, teamwork, and personal growth in a unique Survivor: Lifesaver Edition format.
Enrol here.
If you would like more information please reach out to Jackson at development@islsc.org.au.
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