Caption:
Mecca Laa Laa and the new surf lifesavers on the beach at North Cronulla. Images courtesy Harvpix.
Surf Life Saving Unveils Official ‘Burqini’
4/02/2007
After some of the most physically gruelling three months of their lives, Australia’s newest Muslim surf lifesavers have passed their exams and are now ready to begin patrolling Cronulla’s beaches.
The surf lifesavers, made up of 17 Muslim and non-Muslim members of the Lakemba Sports Club, were officially presented with their Bronze Medallions and other awards at a gala ceremony attended by the NSW Premier, Morris Iemma MP, senior Surf Life Saving officials and members of Sydney’s south-western communities on Saturday night.
A highlight was the unveiling of what is claimed to be the world’s first official lifesaving ‘Burqini’ – a head-to-toe garment in the iconic red and yellow colours, which will allow female Muslims to fulfil their religious obligations while patrolling the beach, on the sand and in the water.
Mecca Laa Laa, who will wear the Burqini when patrolling side-by-side with other surf lifesavers wearing regular uniforms, said it was a revolutionary piece of clothing which had changed her life.
“The Burqini has allowed me to participate in activities at a level I had never previously expected – for example it has allowed me to join Surf Life Saving and pass my Bronze Medallion,” she said.
According to SLSA’s CEO, Brett Williamson OAM, this graduation is yet further demonstration that surf lifesaving is open to everyone, irrespective of age, gender or cultural background.
“With the assistance of the Australian Government, through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), and a number of other stakeholders, including the local surf clubs and Sutherland Shire Council, we have been very busy over the past months engaging a broad range of stakeholders from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities,” he said.
Caption:
After more than 100 hours of training, the group of 17 from the Lakemba Sports Club are now ready to begin patrolling as surf lifesavers.
“These 17 new surf lifesavers and the others still in training will all be the best advocates for surf safety and beach harmony in their communities, and I’m very happy to be able to welcome them into the surf lifesaving family, in this, our centenary and the Year of the Surf Lifesaver.”
Since last October, the ‘On The Same Wave’ program has visited schools, run surf safety awareness courses and offered courses in cultural awareness to more than 1,400 people throughout Sydney. It is intended the program will be rolled out nationally during the course of 2007.
The new recruits from the Lakemba Sports Club will be assigned across the Cronulla surf clubs and are expected to begin regular patrolling duties shortly, which will entail a half-day patrol every three or four weeks from the end of September to the end of April each year.
Caption:
Dr Jamal Rifi, President of the Lakemba Sports Club, with SLSA's Lee Howell. Image Warren Clarke.
President of the Lakemba Sports Club, Dr Jamal Rifi, said such activities not only provide opportunities for the development of excellence in athleticism, but also provide a field that nurtures fair play, rule following, team-work, inclusion and achievement.
“We see our club in broader terms, as playing its role in training better citizenship,” he said.
For further information:
Sean O’Connell
SLSA
Communications Manager
0407.286.619
Dr Jamal Rifi
President
Lakemba Sports Club
0431.300.300