Since 1931
Our History
A proud lifesaving story on the Ninety Mile Beach, from early patrols through to major championships, nippers, lifesaving awards and community service.
Lifesaving at Lakes Entrance
Life Saving Victoria was established in 2002 as an initiative of the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia Victoria Branch and Surf Life Saving Victoria. Its mission is to prevent aquatic-related death and injury across Victorian communities, and its vision is that all Victorians learn water safety, swimming and resuscitation and have access to safe beaches, water environments and aquatic venues.
Life Saving Victoria continues to forge new lifesaving and water safety initiatives while respecting the traditions of the Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving national organisations.
Lakes Entrance and Eastern Beaches sit on the eastern section of the Ninety Mile Beach. The club is at the end of the footbridge across from town, on a popular beach for bathing, surfing, walking and fishing. It is the closest and most accessible ocean beach to Lakes Entrance.
This is one of the most popular spots along the Ninety Mile Beach. It offers a safer patrolled beach with plenty of room for walking and fishing, but the deep troughs and rips can create hazardous bathing conditions with reasonable surf.
From the first clubhouse to the current club
Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance was originally formed in October 1931 as Lakes Entrance LSC and affiliated with the Royal Life Saving Society in 1935. The first clubhouse was built in the mid-1930s at the Hummocks on Main Beach.
Patrols were mounted on both the Ninety Mile Beach and the lake shore at Cunninghame Arm before the club ceased to function during the Second World War. The present club was formed at a meeting in Mechanics Hall on 3 November 1956 with 25 members, helped by Point Leo SLSC, the Penguins Association and the Shire of Tambo.
Milestones
- 1956: the Bronze Medallion squad formed with 12 members completing the award.
- 1957: the first home carnival was held on Main Beach on 6 January.
- 1958: the first major rescue took place on Good Friday when swimmers were caught in a rip; skis and two reels were used and all were saved.
- 1959: the club newsletter, the 'Lake Surfer', was produced.
- 1970: the first ladies auxiliary was formed.
- 1981: the first women were inducted into the Bronze Medallion squad.
- 1984: the nipper program began as a combined effort of club members with 20 participants in its first year.
- 1966, 2008, 2010 and 2011: Lakes Entrance hosted Victorian lifesaving championships.
- The club has had three Victorian Life Saver of the Year winners and was crowned Australian Club of the year for outstanding achievement in the lifesaving movement.
Championship years
The 2010 and 2011 Victorian Life Saving Championships were among the biggest lifesaving events held in Victoria in those years. They brought junior and senior championships together on the same March weekend.
Alongside the sport, the events included opening ceremonies, the blessing of the land from the traditional land owners of Lakes Entrance, the Gunaikurnai, and presentations for the season's outstanding performers. The events drew strong print, radio, television and online coverage.
The Victorian Lifesaving Championships were covered across many media channels, including print, radio, television and internet promotions. Overall, the events were remembered as some of the largest and most successful Victorian Life Saving Championships, with strong action, weather and results.
Mission
The club exists to promote a safe and enjoyable aquatic environment through the provision of lifesaving services to the community.
- Provide effective patrols on Lakes Entrance beach.
- Train members to meet the needs of the club and the community.
- Educate the community on safe swimming and recreation practices.
- Provide sporting opportunities for members to develop leadership and management skills.
- Retain youth and provide a family-friendly environment.
Next step
Ready for the next step?
Join, renew, donate or contact the club and a volunteer will point you in the right direction.