Once it was the ambition of any red blooded Aussie boy to don the red and yellow costume and become a surf lifesaver. That was back in the days when lifesaving was a male only sport.
Now the girls are also patrolling Australia's beaches, but it seems that lack of interest is resulting in Illawarra beaches falling short of the required numbers.
This summer Sydney clubs have sent as many as sixteen of their people to patrol Scarborough, Fairy Meadow and Coalcliff - because the numbers are no longer available locally. This will not continue next summer.
There are plans for recruiting drives and club leaders are wracking their brains trying to find a way to get more young people - men and women - into serving this great service to the public.
We are experiencing a surge in drownings, probably a mix of increasing temperatures luring more people to the beaches - and migrants from land locked countries who lack the knowledge of surf dangers.
Perhaps this apathy is simply the result of our changing world. A host of other entertainment activities vie for our attention - and the " me first " generation has become self centred.
It would be a pity if this great Australian institution should die because of lack of interest - and the lives lost made a sacrifice to apathy.
Hopefully, the Illawarra can do better than that scenario !
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