Essay: Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) organisation analysis

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is one of Australia’s largest volunteer-based organizations. Specializing in lifesaving services, community education, membership service, surf sports, fundraising and commercial training, SLSQ uses these services to support their overreaching purpose that is to save the lives of the public and ensure zero preventable deaths in Queensland. The Queensland coastline stretches over 6,000 kilometers, with more than 700 accessible beaches. Surf Life Saving Queensland strives to set the highest standards in lifesaving services, rescue practices, emergency care and training, education and service provision, and with the Westpac Corporation being the major sponsor of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter service, SLSQ aims to make the Queensland coastline safer for the community.
HISTORY
Established in 1902, Surf Life Saving origins can be traced back to the actions made by Mr. William Gocher at Manly Beach, Sydney. During this era, surf culture was becoming popular and many people abide by the rules. As rebellion was becoming an ever-growing trend, the dangers became evidently apparent, forcing laws to be changed. Concerned with the issue of drowning in the surf, Gocher formed a life-saving club that was designed to assist people who required urgent rescuing in unpredictable and unfamiliar environments. In Queensland, Surf Life Saving was not introduced until 1908. The first division of qualified lifesavers trained at Greenmount Beach, Coolangatta. Since then, SLSQ acted as ‘leaders in their industry, and are committed to maintaining their stance to ensure they are equipped for the future.’ (Surf Life Saving Queensland Annual Report, 2015)
PEOPLE
Surf Life Saving Queensland states that their mission is to ‘operate as proactive and effective peak body, leading the way in lifesaving service provision, education, sport, beach safety advocacy and community leadership.’ (SLSQ Annual Report, 2015) They are an organization that is primarily fostered by the strength and passion of its members and has a deliberate focus on the recruitment, retention and development of volunteers that contribute to the meanings of a safer community. In 2015, SLSQ performed 352,805 volunteered patrol hours, 648,831 preventative actions and saved a total of 3,648, and proudly reported that no lives were between the red and yellow flagged areas during the 2015 season. Additionally, the Surf Life Saving Queensland Community Program of 2015 states ‘our community awareness team is out there educating members of the community about the important of surf, beach, and aquatic safety all year round.’. Over the past 2 years, the Surf Life Saving educational programs have contributed to a 59% increase in community awareness. All of the preventative and educational services that are conducted by Surf Life Saving Queensland are provided voluntarily to the community. This demonstrates the commitment, passion, and desire that the Surf Life Saving team has for keeping the community around them safer for all users.
PLANET
SLSQ plays an important role in the sustainability and management of dangerous marine creatures. Through teaming up with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and the local Government, SLSQ have been able to identify the species of marine creatures that are located in Queensland waters and have been able to publicly advertise campaigns that create awareness for beachgoers. SLSQ plays an important role in the management of dangerous marine creatures, including common Queensland species such as the box jellyfish, sharks, crocodiles, with an aim of ensuring the safety of swimmers and beachgoers within the environment without harming native marine creatures.
PROFIT
Surf Life Saving Queensland annual report represents dramatic increases in their financial results, suggesting that the Surf Life Saving organization is sincerely profitable. The organization’s most profitable sector was the approximate 400% increase in net profit values, and 300% increase in total equity. Furthermore, SLSQ’s total revenue of $30,270,57 was increased by 22%, current assets of $13,959,756 increased by 40% and net assets of $26,553,297 increased by 12%. The annual report suggests that the 2015 fundraisers were particularly successful, and as a result of this, they have collectively raised approximately $2 million dollars for the Surf Life Saving Foundation.
On the down-side, the organization has a current liability value of $3,638,981 decreased by 50%. In the 2015 financial report, the current liabilities, including trade and other payables and accrued expenses, have dramatically decreased since 2014. A statement is made quoting that ‘due to the short-term nature of these payables, their carrying value is assumed to approximate their fair value’, suggesting that the unbiased estimate of the potential market price of their assets has significantly impacted their liquid liability results.