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BUSH TO BEACH X EDUCATE RESUSCIATE, OCTOBER 2023
We are thrilled to announce our second camp for 2023 which is being held on the sunny Gold Coast this October in collaboration with #SLSQLD and #EducateResuscitate.
Bush to Beach welcomes and empowers up to 50 young individuals from the remote regions of far northwestern New South Wales.
The program is a three-day surf camp adventure, where they can acquire new skills, bolster their self-confidence, and immerse themselves in an entirely unfamiliar coastal environment—be it the picturesque beaches of Sydney or the sun-kissed shores of Queensland.
The Educate Resuscitate Project (Est. 2021) is committed to empowering the youth of Australia with life-saving skills. Our mission is to make First Aid and CPR training a mandatory part of the high school curriculum in Australia. To discover more about our initiative and how you can get involved, click the link below.
Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) proudly boasts 58 well-established surf lifesaving clubs, their dedicated members standing guard along an impressive stretch of 8,000 kilometers of Queensland's coastline—from the picturesque Port Douglas to the scenic Rainbow Bay. The unwavering vision remains crystal clear: to achieve zero preventable deaths in Queensland's public waters.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable team at Aqualung Australia for their generous donation of masks and snorkels for our October program! Each child participating in the program will receive a brand-new, high-quality scuba mask and snorkel. These invaluable tools will not only enhance their experience during the program but also become a lasting possession, serving as a source of inspiration for ocean conservation and exploration. Thank you, Aqualung Australia, for supporting our mission and helping ignite the passion for safeguarding our oceans!
In the wake of a tremendously successful and transformative experience, we share the heartwarming story of the Bush to Beach program. This remarkable program was destined to unfold, starting with a simple email exchange early this year. It all began when Jack Cannons, the founder and CEO of Bush to Beach, received two emails on the same day – one from a representative in Mermaid Beach, Queensland, and another from the principal of Toomelah Public School in New South Wales. They expressed a shared dream: the desire to bring the Bush to Beach program to Toomelah! Toomelah Public School is located on a former mission station and the lowest socioeconomic town in NSW.
The adventure officially commenced on Saturday, October 21st, with an unforgettable 8-hour bus journey from Toomelah to Mermaid Beach. The day began with a visit to Miami Pool for a swimming proficiency test, expertly conducted by the Bush to Beach team and lifeguards. After ensuring the safety of the children, they embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, hitting the waves at Mermaid Beach. The lifeguards and water safety experts of Mermaid Beach were an ever-present guiding force, making this experience not only fun but also safe.
The day concluded with a shared dinner and generous gifts for the children, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and warmth. The children proudly donned their Mermaid Beach T-shirts and backpacks and received valuable briefings on subjects such as water safety and stranger danger before heading to their accommodation at Burleigh Heads.
The following day, Sunday, October 22nd, brought more excitement as the children started the day with breakfast at their accommodation. Rashies on, they participated in Nippers at Mermaid Beach, embracing the joys of the surf. Lunch at the Surf Club was followed by further water safety training and boogie boarding fun, where lifeguards once again played a crucial role in ensuring the children's safety. With a reluctance to leave the water, dinner at the Surf Club marked the end of another thrilling day, during which the children, along with their dedicated helpers, were gifted Mermaid Beach T-shirts.
Monday, October 23rd, saw the children and their caregivers embarking on a journey to Tallebudgera Creek. Here, they immersed themselves in snorkeling lessons, CPR training, swimming, and plenty of fun. Aqualung Australia donated quality snorkels and masks and we taught the children to snorkel. In collaboration with Mermaid Beach lifeguards, they also received vital first aid and CPR training, further enriching their skills (The Educate Resuscitate Project). After a day of water-based adventures, the children enjoyed a scenic bus ride to a restaurant at Mermaid Beach Surf Club, where they shared a delightful meal before returning to their accommodation.
Tuesday, October 24th, brought a visit to Dream World, where the children reveled in the amusement park's wonders. The day was filled with fun, adventure, and unforgettable experiences. As the day drew to a close, a painting class was held, with the children creating beautiful bush and beach canvases, in addition to a special canvas requested by the Surf Club.
The children's artistic talents shone through, and the day ended with a sense of fulfillment and contentment. As the children laid down to rest, their hearts and minds were filled with the cherished memories of this remarkable journey.
Wednesday, October 25th, marked the final day. The children woke up to the soothing sound of the surf and embraced the ocean once more. Once leaving the water and said their goodbyes to the dedicated volunteers who had become like family. As the journey came to an end, the team reflected on the tremendous impact of the Bush to Beach program.
The work the Bush to Beach organisation does and the program they have curated over nearly 2 decades is something I will be forever grateful to be part of. The unity, love and acceptance that the program promotes is unmatched, and how quickly the volunteers develop care and love for the kids is indescribable. I’ve been privileged enough to have had the opportunity to volunteer since I was 14, but this.. words cannot describe how grateful I am to be part of the Bush to Beach family.
The kids we work with have stolen my heart, and I am so excited to see what the future holds for the program. I would like to thank everyone who has continuously supported this amazing cause alongside my own project Educate Resuscitate, and it’s a privilege to know that I will be working with this unique and passionate organisation for many more years to come.
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