January 2026 – January 2027
Acknowledgment of Country
Surf Life Saving Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of all the lands and waters on which we surf, swim, work and live. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge their enduring connection to the coastlines, oceans, and waterways across this nation. We are committed to learning from the knowledge and traditions of Australia’s First Peoples, who have safeguarded these shores and seas for thousands of years. In the spirit of reconciliation, we honour the stories, traditions, and living cultures of First Nations peoples and pledge to work together for a safer, more inclusive beach environment for all.
CEO Commitment Statement
At Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), we believe in a future where everyone feels welcome, respected, and safe in our clubs, on our beaches, and across our movement. Our commitment to reconciliation is a vital part of this future.
We honour the enduring connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land, sea, and waterways. These are connections that span thousands of generations.
Our vision for reconciliation is to foster a culture that celebrates diversity, empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and strengthens unity. We recognise that reconciliation is not a single step, but an ongoing journey, and one that calls on us to listen deeply, and act with integrity.
As a volunteer-based, membership-driven organisation, Surf Life Saving is built on the generosity, commitment, and community spirit of our people. Our mission to turn the tide on coastal drowning and our four clear strategic priorities: making it easier to be a lifesaver, being a place for everyone, becoming more sustainable, and ultimately making us Australia’s preferred cause, can only be achieved when we reflect the communities we serve. Reconciliation is essential to this.
By embracing inclusion and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and leadership, we strengthen our capacity to keep people safe on our beaches and foster a richer, more connected lifesaving movement.
This Reconciliation Action Plan builds on our Inclusion and Diversity Statement and Framework to create an environment where everyone has a place and a voice. Aligned to our strategic priorities, we are focused on creating opportunities, removing barriers, and building a stronger, more inclusive Surf Life Saving community.
Just as each wave reaches the shore, each of our actions brings us closer to a future grounded in respect, equity, and shared pride.
Together, we are committed to walking this path and ensuring that Surf Life Saving reflects the richness, strength, and spirit of all Australians.
Adam Weir Chief Executive Officer
Surf Life Saving Australia
A statement from CEO of Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Australia welcomes Surf Life Saving Australia to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program with the formal endorsement of its inaugural Reflect RAP.
Surf Life Saving Australia joins a network of more than 3,000 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program.
Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement. The program’s potential for impact is greater than ever, with over 5.5 million people now working or studying in an organisation with a RAP.
The four RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate — allow RAP partners to continuously develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments in new ways. This Reflect RAP will lay the foundations, priming the workplace for future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives.
The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing an organisation to strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with its own business objectives, for the most effective outcomes.
These outcomes contribute towards the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance.
It is critical to not only uphold all five dimensions of reconciliation, but also increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and leadership across all sectors of Australian society.
This Reflect RAP enables Surf Life Saving Australia to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the five dimensions. Getting these first steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Congratulations Surf Life Saving Australia, welcome to the RAP program, and I look forward to following your reconciliation journey in the years to come.
Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia
About the artist
Milly is a proud Kamilaroi woman living on Dharawal Country. She has been practicing Aboriginal dot painting for around five years, and now feels ready to take the next step by sharing her culture, stories, and artistic talent with a wider audience. Her work is deeply personal and meaningful, each painting either represents her Country and Kamilaroi mob, or reflects aspects of her own journey and identity through traditional symbolism and storytelling.
Milly’s art blends modern Aboriginal dot painting techniques with digital design, allowing her to create both original canvas works and designs for sporting teams, workplaces, and community projects. A year ago, she started her own business, Milly Leigh Art, which has helped her grow not only as an artist but also as a young Aboriginal woman proud of her heritage and place in the community.
She is currently 19 years old and in her first year of university, studying primary education. She hopes to bring the same passion she has for art and culture into her future teaching career, empowering young people, sharing knowledge, and celebrating Aboriginal identity in everything she does.
Milly has been a part of Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club nippers since the age of five with her two brothers. Over the years, she has competed in nippers carnivals, completed her SRC and Bronze medallion, and is now on the surf club committee. She has also played a big role in the startup of a cadets program within the club. Currently Milly is a member of the Gerringong Pearls Under 23s surf boat crew and in her second competing season. Through this experience, she has developed a strong passion for the sport.
About the artwork
The artwork represents the unity and strength of Surf Life Saving clubs across all seven states and territories of Australia. At the heart of the design is the symbolism of community, each club is shown as a small but vital community, contributing to the larger national network of Surf Life Saving Australia.
The seven sections radiating from the centre represent the seven states and territories and the many clubs within them, all connected through a shared purpose and passion. The blue background reflects the oceans and waterways that are central to who we are. These waters are not only where we serve as lifesavers and first responders, but they are also sacred spaces of connection, training, and growth, where knowledge is passed on and future generations are shaped.
The red and yellow elements within the community symbols are a powerful nod to the iconic colours of Surf Life Saving Australia. These colours are more than just a uniform, they represent safety, trust, and a national identity recognised by all Australians on our beaches.
This painting also reflects the importance of reconciliation and the growing recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our organisation. Whether as members, nippers, or part of the broader community, First Nations peoples are an integral part of Surf Life Saving. Being represented at a national level in such a large and visible way is deeply meaningful, it is a moment of empowerment and pride for us all.
This artwork is about belonging, unity, respect, and shared pride, values that Surf Life Saving Australia continues to uphold as we move forward together.
Vision Statement
Surf Life Saving Australia is committed to providing an inclusive environment – where everyone is welcome, respected, and feels a sense of belonging. Aligned to our strategic priorities, we are building a future where there’s a place for everyone in Surf Life Saving.
Our vision for reconciliation is to build a culture that embraces diversity, fosters unity, and where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are celebrated and empowered across our organisation, within our communities, and along our coastline.
Our waterways – oceans, beaches, rivers, and lakes – sustain life, connect communities, and hold deep cultural meaning. We recognise the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to these sacred waters, and we celebrate their resilience, wisdom, and leadership. Through listening and learning, we are committed to building strong relationships for all Australians.
Just as every wave connects the shore to the sea, every action we take brings us closer to unity, respect, and shared pride.
Source: Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Our business
SLSA is Australia’s peak coastal water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority. With a proud history and a strong community presence, SLSA brings together more than 200,000 members from all walks of life through its network of 316 affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSCs). This collective effort represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia. At the heart of the organisation is a clear and unwavering vision: zero preventable deaths in Australian waters. Guided by this vision, SLSA’s mission is to turn the tide on coastal drowning through education, advocacy, and frontline lifesaving services.
The organisation employs around 100 people across Australia, supporting its operations and strategic initiatives. While data on the current number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff has not been formally collected, SLSA is committed to improving its understanding of workforce diversity. To support this, a question about cultural identity will be included in the annual staff survey to better inform future planning and strengthen inclusion efforts. In addition, SLSA is exploring opportunities to capture this information during employee induction.
SLSA operates nationally, with a presence that spans the country’s coastline. Its main offices are in Bondi, Brisbane, and Cape Banks at La Perouse. These locations work closely together, supporting a wide range of functions including but not limited to, coastal safety, sport, learning development and participation, fundraising and corporate partnerships, marketing, research, human resources, finance, and IT. Collaboration across these offices ensures that SLSA remains united by the vision of zero preventable deaths in Australian waters.
Looking ahead, SLSA is guided by its 2030 Strategic Plan, which sets a clear direction for the future of Surf Life Saving in Australia. One of the key priorities within this plan is the commitment to ensuring there is a place for everyone in Surf Life Saving. This focus on inclusion and belonging reflects the organisation’s belief that a diverse and welcoming movement is essential to achieving its vision and strengthening its impact across the country.
Our RAP
SLSA has embarked on the development of a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as a meaningful step towards reconciliation. Through this plan, we aim to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, uphold respect for their cultures and traditions, and create greater opportunities for community members. This work aligns with our strategic priority to build a future where there is a place for everyone in Surf Life Saving, and is grounded in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework. We are proud to be creating a culture that embraces diversity, fosters unity, and celebrates and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our organisation, within our communities, and along our coastline.
At the heart of this work is our newly formed RAP Working Group, which is a diverse and passionate group of people made up of SLSA members and non-members, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, and individuals from right across Australia.
Many bring valuable insights from participating in our Leadership, Masterclass and Women’s Mentoring Programs, demonstrating the strong internal pathways that exist within our movement. The group will oversee the implementation of key initiatives, monitor progress, and help embed reconciliation into the fabric of our organisation.
Driving this important work is our RAP Champion, SLSA’s Participation Manager. This position plays a crucial role in championing internal engagement and raising awareness of the RAP across all levels of SLSA. Their leadership ensures that reconciliation remains a priority and that our efforts are supported by strong governance and a shared commitment to change.
Together, we are proud to take this step forward, guided by a vision of unity, respect, and belonging.
Our reconciliation activities
Multicultural & Indigenous Scholarship for SLSA National Leadership College and National Leaders’ Masterclass Programs
Since 2018, SLSA has offered scholarships for Indigenous Surf Lifesavers to attend the annual National Leadership College and National Leaders’ Masterclass programs. These programs provide an opportunity for members to enhance their leadership skills and make connections with like-minded individuals from across the country who share a passion for making a meaningful impact within the movement. The Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship covers the recipients cost to attend the program and provides an opportunity for emerging leaders within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and multicultural communities to gain the skills and confidence to become future leaders within their communities and strengthen the links between all Australians.
Cultural Education Training
In 2024, as part of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and creating a culturally safe and inclusive organisation, SLSA invested in First Nations Cultural Awareness Training for our staff. Through Mirri Mirri, an Aboriginal-owned company that helps Australians improve their understanding and awareness of Aboriginal history, culture and people, 12 team members completed Cultural Awareness Training. This training has been instrumental in strengthening our cultural competency and encouraging more informed engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Cultural awareness is a key foundation of our RAP, and we are proud to continue building this knowledge across the organisation.
National Reconciliation Week 2025
In 2025, SLSA proudly launched its first set of initiatives to honour and recognise National Reconciliation Week (NRW). These efforts began with the release of an online news story introducing our inaugural RAP Working Group, followed by a social media post that highlighted this milestone. The RAP Working Group also curated a list of NRW events, which was shared with staff to encourage participation and awareness. During our all-staff meeting, the Participation Coordinator introduced the significance of NRW and invited team members to attend events throughout the week. To further embed the theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next,’ we distributed custom virtual backgrounds featuring NRW imagery across the organisation. We look forward to honouring National Reconciliation Week each year and building on these initiatives.
NAIDOC Week 2025
In 2025, SLSA marked NAIDOC Week by taking meaningful steps to celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The week began with an online news story featuring our President, John Baker AM ESM, reflecting on the importance of cultural recognition and our ongoing journey towards reconciliation. Staff received a curated list of NAIDOC Week events to explore and take part in, helping build awareness across the organisation. During our all-staff meeting, the Head of Shared Services spoke about the significance of the week and encouraged everyone to get involved in local celebrations. To bring the theme ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’, into our everyday spaces, we shared custom virtual backgrounds with teams across SLSA. These first steps laid the foundation for how we will continue to honour NAIDOC Week in the years ahead.
Tech To Country – An Initiative of G1 Asset Management
Tech To Country is a proud initiative of G1 Asset Management that empowers Australian enterprise and government to donate end-of-use IT assets to Indigenous communities whilst maintaining complete data security and compliance to Australian ISM controls.
Since November 2023, SLSA’s IT department has replaced approximately 25% of the staff laptop fleet each year as part of its hardware refresh cycle. Before collection by G1 Asset Management, the team securely erases all data from the old laptops and installs a fresh copy of Microsoft Windows to prepare them for handover.
National Events –Welcome to Country
As part of several national events (Coolangatta Gold, The Aussies, and the IRB Championships) a Welcome to Country is conducted, with connections facilitated through local councils or clubs and First Nations peoples of the lands on which each event takes place. For all remaining events, an Acknowledgement of Country is performed prior to the commencement of competition.
SLSA Research Projects
The SLSA research team is collaborating with First Nations communities through two key projects. In the national Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) project, we are engaging with Traditional Owners to better understand how rescue equipment is used on Country and how it aligns with local knowledge and practices. In another project focused on marine sting treatments, we are connecting with and learning from Traditional Owners about traditional approaches to first aid treatments of stings, with the goal of enriching current responses through shared knowledge.
Partnerships
The Partnerships and Participation Teams have built and will continue to strengthen relationships with corporate partners through ongoing collaboration and engagement with RAP committees and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leads. These efforts have included attending reconciliation-focused events and facilitating conversations with organisations such as Qantas, Ampol, Lifesavers, and Westpac. Through these partnerships, we are working to support shared commitments to reconciliation and learn from one another.
Grant Seeking Unit
The Grant Seeking Unit (GSU) has provided grant writing support to surf life saving clubs, branches, and state entities to secure funding for programs that promote inclusion, cultural connection, and participation for First Nations communities.
This includes support for Forrest Beach SLSC’s First Nations Youth Surf Sport and Sport Development Programs, which partner with an Indigenous boarding college west of Ingham. Through these programs, young participants have developed surf and water safety skills and gone on to compete and medal at the Australian Interbranch Championships, the Australian Senior Championships, and the Queensland Youth and Senior Championships.
The GSU also supported SLSQ North Queensland Branch to secure funding for the First Nations Youth Aquatic Education and Skills Program, which provides culturally appropriate water safety education for young people in Far North Queensland. The program aims to increase confidence, reduce drowning risk, and create stronger connections between local Indigenous communities and surf life saving clubs.
In South Australia, the GSU assisted Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSSA) with two major initiatives. The Parnggi Yarluwar Porlar project (Water Ocean Kids) which provides First Nations children the opportunity to begin their water safety journey with swimming lessons at local pools, before progressing to Nippers programs at surf life saving clubs. The project fosters physical activity, social connection, and long-term safety through inclusive and culturally safe participation pathways.
The second initiative, the APY Lands Water Safety and Community Training Program, delivers water safety education and recreation opportunities to young people in the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, approximately 1,350km from Adelaide. The project builds local capacity by training community members in AUSTSWIM, Pool Lifeguard, and First Aid qualifications, reducing reliance on external providers and ensuring water safety education continues beyond the funding period.
While the GSU does not lead these programs, it plays a key role in helping Surf Life Saving entities access funding to deliver meaningful, community led outcomes that support reconciliation, water safety, and long-term community resilience.
Our RAP Working Group
SLSA’s RAP Working Group was established in December 2024 to guide the development of the organisation’s first Reflect RAP. The group was formed following an Expression of Interest (EOI) process launched in June 2024,
aimed at identifying individuals with experience in RAPs and a strong connection to SLSA’s reconciliation journey. Interviews were conducted to select the most suitable candidates, resulting in a diverse and passionate group comprising 5 SLSA staff members, 2 SLSA Board members, and 8 volunteers – including 2 co-chairs and 6 external working group members. This group includes both SLSA members and non-members, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, and individuals from across Australia. Meeting online each month, the RAP WG provides valuable insight and feedback as SLSA works to strengthen relationships with First Nations peoples and embed reconciliation into its culture.
List of members
SLSA Board Members
Sarah Cutbush
• SLSSA President Appointed Director
• Member of Somerton SLSC
Adam Traugott
• SLSNT President Appointed Director
• Member of Mindil Beach SLSC
Co-Chairs
Tanya Demaria
• Member of Glenelg SLSC
Wade Krueger
• Managing Director Krueger
Consultancy Services
• Proud Ma:Mu and Gooreng Gooreng Man
Working Group Members
Dan Morgan
• Member of Maroubra SLSC
• Proud Gadhungal Man
Jette Oksis
• Member of Fremantle SLSC
Craig Raymond
• Member of North Bondi SLSC, Clovelly SLSC
• Proud Wiradjuri Man
Kelly Shoecraft
• Member of Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park SLSC
Nicola Street
• Member of Fingal Beach SLSC
SLSA Staff
Michelle Bainbridge
• Head of Shared Services
Sharon Deans
• Participation Coordinator
• Member of Coogee SLSC
Rachael Wynberg
• Member of Ellis Beach SLSC
Sarah Harris
• Participation Manager
• RAP Champion
Elle Kuhta
• Project Manager
• Member of Bondi SBLSC
Sam Macdonnell
• Human Resources Manager
RELATIONSHIPS
1. Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.
2. Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW).
• Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations within our local area or sphere of influence.
• Research best practice and principles that support partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.
• Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff. May 2026
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3. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence
• RAP Working Group members to participate in an external NRW event.
4. Promote positive race relations through antidiscrimination strategies.
• Encourage and support staff and senior leaders to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW.
• Deliver a social media post during NRW that acknowledges the historical significance of the week, promotes the annual theme, and reflects SLSA’s ongoing reconciliation journey.
May- 3 June, 2026
May- 3 June, 2026
May- 3 June, 2026
• Communicate our commitment to reconciliation to all staff. January 2026
• Identify external stakeholders that our organisation can engage with on our reconciliation journey. February 2026
• Identify organisations with a RAP and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to collaborate with on our reconciliation journey. February 2026
• Identify best practice of how RAP Champions / Allies should engage with and promote the SLSA reconciliation journey. April 2026
• Research best practice and policies in areas of race relations and anti-discrimination. June 2026
• Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing anti-discrimination provisions, and future needs.
Participation Coordinator
Public Relations Manager
Human Resources Manager
Participation Manager
Relationship Sub Working Group
Participation Manager
Relationship Sub Working Group
Participation Manager Support: RAP Working Group
Human Resources Manager
RESPECT
5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning.
6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols.
7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week.
• Develop a business case for increasing understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights within our organisation. March 2026
• Conduct a review of cultural learning needs within our organisation.
February 2026
• Develop an understanding of the local Traditional Owners or Custodians of the lands and waters within our organisation’s operational area.
• Increase staff’s understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols.
• Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff about the meaning of NAIDOC Week.
April 2026
Participation Manager Support: RAP WG Co-Chair
March 2026
• Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting external events in our local area.
• RAP Working Group to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event.
• Deliver a social media post during NAIDOC Week that acknowledges the historical significance of the week, promotes the annual theme, and reflects SLSA’s ongoing reconciliation journey.
June 2026
June 2026
Participation Coordinator
Human Resources Manager
First week in July, 2026
Participation Coordinator
First week in July, 2026
OPPORTUNITIES
8. Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development.
9. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.
• Develop a business case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation.
• Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities.
• Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.
• Investigate Supply Nation membership.
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GOVERNANCE
10. Maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.
11. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.
• Maintain a RWG to govern RAP implementation.
• Draft a Terms of Reference for the RWG
• Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the RWG.
• Define resource needs for RAP implementation.
• Engage senior leaders in the delivery of RAP commitments.
12. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.
• Maintain a senior leader to champion our RAP internally.
• Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.
• Contact Reconciliation Australia to verify that our primary and secondary contact details are up to date, to ensure we do not miss out on important RAP correspondence.
• Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Survey to Reconciliation Australia.
• Communicate our RAP progress to internal and external stakeholders.
13. Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.
• Provide RAP Progress updates to SLSA Board as part of standing agenda item.
• Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP.
September, annually
Project Manager
- February, May, August, November
- February, May, August, November
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