Lorne SLSC thinks pink for International Women’s Day

THE Lorne SLSC has celebrated its female lifesavers with a special “Pink Patrol” to recognise International Women’s Day (IWD).

The four-and-a-half hour all-female patrol at Lorne on Saturday, only two days earlier than IWD itself on March 8, was one of four hosted by clubs across the state over the weekend with the support of Life Saving Victoria (LSV).

Lorne SLSC captain Sam Aschhoff said the patrol featured about 30 lifesavers and was an important way to acknowledge the efforts of the club’s female members.

The show of support also extended to the skies, with the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service specially wrapped and patrolling in pink for the occasion.

“Pink Patrols are made up of all female personnel or female-led patrols and symbolise how integral women are in lifesaving,” LSV director of membership and leadership development Angela Malan said.

“Their goal is to build female operational capacity, provide positive female role models for future generations of life savers and build diversity in active operational and leadership roles.

“Women have been played an essential part in the evolution of life saving in Victoria during the past 125 years, and today make up about 50 per cent of our volunteer membership, so it’s great to be able to celebrate their important contribution to the life saving movement.”