Help needed to keep lake users safe

THE Lake Eppalock Flotilla of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard is looking for new members to help keep users of the waterway safe.

Deputy Commander Barrie Bremner said there were many different roles with the organisation available.

“You don’t have to be on the water,” he said. “You don’t have to go through all the training to be a coxswain, you can be a general-purpose deckhand or just work on the radios on the safety side of it.”

Deputy Commander Bremner said volunteering with the Coast Guard was rewarding on several levels.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting new people, getting out on the water, especially with the hundred per cent levels we’ve got now, and educating people that we meet about water safety while making connections with other groups who also use the lake,” he said.

“I’m a member of the Bendigo Yacht Club and while helping them with their safety boat I did a course run by one of the guys at the Coast Guard and he picked up that I had previous history of using motorised craft and invited me to join.”

But Deputy Commander Bremner stressed that no prior experience with boats or emergency services was necessary as full training was provided for all roles.

In Victoria, the Coast Guard has officially been part of the Country Fire Authority since 2008.

Members assist in joint search and rescue operations with police and other emergency services, as well as helping Lake Eppalock users on a day-to-day basis.

To find out more about volunteering with the Coast Guard, contact Commander Mark Jeavons on 0400 186 002.