Every summer, beaches throughout NSW become a hotspot for locals and tourists alike. I have often said that the beach is my happy place. And I know there are many, many other people that feel the same way. However, ensuring the safety of beachgoers is – and must always be – paramount. In the Illawarra, ensuring the safety of beachgoers is a responsibility that falls on the shoulders of Surf Life Saving Illawarra. Surf Life Saving Illawarra is made up of 17 surf life saving clubs and about 9,000 members. That is an incredible amount of people who volunteer their time to a great cause. The organisation was originally formed in 1917 and called the South Coast Surf Bathing Association. However shortly after the decision was made to affiliate with the Royal Life Saving Society. This was formally adopted in late 1920. In 1924 the organisation changed its name to the South Coast Branch of the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia. Another name change, this time to the Illawarra Branch of Surf Life Saving Australia, occurred five years later. On behalf of our community, thank you to every member of Surf Life Saving Illawarra for your dedication.