• Recognises Local Government Councils, (in cooperation with their respective State and/or Territory and Federal Government agencies) as the controlling authorities in aquatic safety and beach management.
• Promotes and supports best practice in ocean water safety and beach management in consultation with Councils and career professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards.
• Advocates high standards of professional ocean lifeguard performance through access to professional level training.
• Supports community education and provides key advice and programs in beach management, ocean water safety, risk assessment, lifeguard training, public education, regulation, public relations, tourism support and teaming with medical, rescue and other specialist agencies.

Professional Ocean Lifeguard History
During the 1850s in Sydney, NSW, Councils employed staff to manage protected waters and swimming pools in and around lakes, estuaries, lagoons and harbours. These managers provided water safety as part of their overall regulatory role and by the 1880s coastal Councils employed numerous foreshore managers who performed water safety duties as well as managing foreshore areas including beaches.

The increase in surf bathing popularity following the legalisation of swimming at beaches in daylight hours in the early 1900s resulted in a greater number of foreshore managers providing first aid and performing ocean rescues. At this time the first beach inspectors were employed to manage beach activity and beach water safety.

Some Australian Councils today continue to incorporate the term 'beach inspector' as part the job title for their professional ocean lifeguards.

Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association History

The Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association Incorporated (APOLA Inc) was established as the Australian Beach Inspector Lifeguard Association (ABILA) in March 1984 following the dissolution of the Australian Professional Surf Lifeguards Association (APSLA). APSLA was born from the Sydney based Institute of Professional Lifeguards & Beach Management (formed 1974) and prior to this, the first association of Council aquatic professionals was known as the Beach and Pool Officers Association that was founded in 1937. APOLA is known today as the peak professional association for Australian beach inspector lifegards and coastal councils employing their own lifeguards

• As a non-profit professional association APOLA is dedicated to promoting supporting, and advancing the essential work of professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards. Reducing the risk of injury and drowning at beaches through education, training and collaborative activity for safe and considered use of the beach and ocean environment is central to an APOLA membership of committed and highly qualified Council professional ocean lifeguards.
• It brings together highly motivated and experienced aquatic professionals to discuss, research, develop, review and teach professional ocean lifeguards and coastal councils about best practice for beach management, community education and ocean water safety. A highly skilled workforce enables beach users to be well looked after when participating in their chosen beach and water recreation pursuit at popular beaches. .
• Encourages beach users to care for others and the shared physical environment which is Australia's beautiful coastline.
• Engages in ongoing consultation across all government, aquatic safety, medical and law enforcement sectors.
• Develops professional working relationships with emergency, health, planning,tourism and law enforcement professionals who support professional ocean lifeguard work. Professional ocean lifeguards, ambulance paramedics, specialist rescue unit personnel, pre-hospital and in hospital health care professionals, and training and education personnel all play vital part for improvement in, advancing consumer knowledge and increasing both patient and client satisfaction.
• Participates in numerous water safety forums at local, regional, state, national and international levels. APOLA and professional ocean lifeguards however should not be confused with volunteer based lifesaving organisations, such as weekend volunteer lifesavers, or other surf sport-event organisations.

Membership
The majority of individual members are full-time career professionals from Council Lifeguard Services in the major coastal centres of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Membership for individuals and organisations including coastal councils across Australia make up a network that enables activity that includes:

• Convening forums that focus on current issues in ocean safety and beach management, coordination and planning for industry workshops, training programs, seminars and APOLA participation in local, state, federal and international forums.
• Co-ordination of an Annual National Conference for professional Beach Inspector Ocean Lifeguards.
• Participation in aquatic industry forums and water safety committees.
• Provision of advice on ocean safety, management of coastal assets, risk management in and around open waters,tourism support, professional lifeguard training and ocean lifeguard recruitment practices.
• Management of the APOLA Board of Education, Training, Examination and Awards which oversees a comprehensive training and education awards system for professional lifeguards and community groups.
• Delivering beach water safety education and training programs for pre school, school, adult, senior adult, workplace, aquatic sports coaches, specific needs, surf coaches, school teachers and professional ocean lifeguards.
• Conductioning the annual Australian Professional Beach Inspector Ocean Lifeguard Championships for Professional Beach Inspector Ocean Lifeguards, and other regional events including inter-Council Lifeguard Challenge competitions such as the Annual Bondi Lifeguard Challenge Relay each Febuary
• Recognising outstanding professional service for professional lifeguards and non-lifeguard individuals who have: saved life and/or prevented serious injury through feats of bravery and demonstration of high level rescue and first aid skills; developed innovative rescue equipment; or have developed first aid, rescue and other procedures which effectively improve safety in the workplace. The Annual Meritorious & Outstanding Service Awards Dinner enables professional ocean lifeguards the opportunity to recognise, celebrate and reward colleagues for their commitment to professional ocean lifeguarding.

The Principal Objects of APOLA are as follows....

(a) To promote, advance and support the work of professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards who are active in facilitating improvements in beach water safety for all users of the beach water environment.

(b) To provide a central senate for all Australian professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards.

(c) To advance the interest of professional beach inspector ocean lifeguard organisations supportive of Association objectives.

(d) To improve the knowledge and skills of professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards who are active in facilitating improvements in beach water safety and managing beach water environments.

(e) To increase community knowledge about the highly skilled, valuable professional work performed by professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards.

(f) To educate specific ocean user groups and the broader community about beach water safety, conservation of the beach water environment, and risk reduction when engaging with coastal environments.

(g) To liaise with key professional first aid, rescue, para medical, hospital,      medical, educational and regulatory providers to enhance effective inter-agency coordination in the delivery of high quality client services.

(h) To assist Local Government Seaside Councils, State and Territory Government Departments, Statutory Government Bodies and other government agencies in establishing and maintaining appropriate high level professional standards in recruitment, training and operational practice for all Australian professional ocean lifeguard services.

(i) To support Local, State and Federal Government authorities implement programs that contribute to beach water safety.

(j) To promote uniformity of laws for the control and regulation of the ocean, beach, and immediate adjoining reserves, and to assist regulatory authorities enforce these laws.

All Correspondence to....

National Secretary
APOLA
PO Box 6700, Coffs Harbour Plaza NSW, 2450, Australia
Phone: 02 - 6650 0366
Mobile: 0408 855 267
Email: apola@apola.asn.au
Website: www.apola.asn.au