Red & Yellow Day

Recently I received an email from Derek Wilson, who, 23 years ago, tragically lost his son Ben at age seven and his daughter Molly at age four, along with his two nieces aged 15 and 17 in a drowning accident. He asked me to speak in parliament about Red and Yellow Day, and, of course, my answer was an emphatic yes. As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving and representing an electorate where going to the beach is the norm, I’m passionate about increasing awareness and education surrounding water safety.

Red and Yellow Day is tomorrow and coincides with National Water Safety Day. It aims to highlight the importance of swimming between the flags and to raise awareness surrounding water safety. I have nine surf clubs in my electorate: Southport, Surfers Paradise, Northcliffe, Broadbeach, Kurrawa, Mermaid Beach, Nobby’s Beach, Miami and North Burleigh.

Every club across Australia and their volunteer surf lifesavers play a vital role in teaching our communities about safety and keeping between the flags, keeping Australians and their visitors safe. For more information on how to stay safe at the beach and around the water, please visit Surf Life Saving Australia’s website. By increasing awareness, we can ensure that no other family has to experience the pain and heartbreak that Derek’s family endured. Derek, thank you for sharing your story and for being a strong advocate for water safety.

To the good people of Moncrieff: I wish you a safe and happy holiday, Christmas and New Year. To all
Australians swimming over Christmas: stay safe and swim between the flags.