A donation of almost $5,000 has allowed the Club to purchase a new hydraulic first aid treatment bed and eight new training defibrillators that will be used in education courses for volunteers.
Lifesaving Officer Deb Dean said the treatment bed is crucial for transferring patients with suspected spinal injuries to the St John’s ambulance team and the upgrade was well overdue.
“It was after a serious incident during training in Winter this year that really highlighted the need for an upgraded treatment bed. Being a volunteer organisation that heavily relies on grants and fundraising in order to purchase equipment, it isn’t always as simple as just going out and buying or replacing something,” Deb said.
“The donation from Fiveight has allowed us to source the best available treatment bed to ensure we can provide the best possible care and safety to a patient if we need to hand them over to St John’s.”
Beach safety and saving lives is always the number one priority for Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club but this season there is also another major focus – a strong showing at the National Surf Life Saving Titles “The Aussies” scheduled to be held in Perth in April 2022.
Fiveight’s donation has also enabled the purchase a new surf ski paddle for Club athletes to compete in The Aussies. The new equipment replaces the almost 60-year-old ski that had been previously used, giving local representatives a much-needed boost before Australia-wide competitions start.
Promising up and coming surf sport athlete Will Everett will be competing for the Club in a number of events including the U19 ski.
“I was absolutely stoked when Wayne (Club Board & Ski Coach) said we were getting a new ski and that it would be mine to compete in over the season. I’ve taken her out a few times already and it feels great out on the water,” Will said.
“I’d love to bring home a medal for the Club at the Aussies and the new ski from Fiveight has certainly helped my chances of achieving that!”
Head of Fiveight John Meredith said the company had made the commitment to support the Club made possible by reactivating the Indiana kiosk tenancy over the previous summer.
“Partnering with and supporting local community groups has been a foundational principle for our entire company and one that has guided our approach to the wider redevelopment of the iconic Indiana site,” Mr Meredith.
“We are very pleased to continue our strong partnership with the Club and support the essential work performed by its fantastic volunteers.
This year’s donation continues Fiveight’s proud history of supporting the Club. In 2020, proceeds were donated from rental income from Indiana’s kiosk that allowed the Club to purchase Nipper boards for junior members to practice safe water skills.
Mr Meredith said Fiveight was committed to sharing its vison for the next chapter of Indiana with the people of Perth in the coming weeks.
“We know Indiana is important to all Western Australians and we are focused on delivering a sustainable future for the site – one that ensures its cultural significance is retained and much needed improvements for everyone visiting Cottesloe Beach are delivered,” Mr Meredith said.