Tasmania's Centre of Excellence for Flood and Swift Water Rescue

Every time you buy a ticket in the Surf Life Saving Lottery, you’re not just giving yourself a chance to win, you’re helping save lives. And now, your support is reaching far beyond the beach.

Thanks to the generosity of Surf Lottery supporters like you, Tasmania is becoming home to one of the most important lifesaving projects in the country: the Centre of Excellence for Flood and Swift Water Rescue. This first-of-its-kind national facility will train volunteer surf lifesavers from all over Australia to respond to devastating inland floods, using the same courage, commitment, and community spirit they bring to every beach patrol.

This bold new vision was born from a real and urgent need. In 2016, when Tasmania experienced some of the worst flooding in living memory, Surf Life Saving’s volunteers were called in to help. Using inflatable rescue boats, they navigated flooded streets, carried out welfare checks, and rescued people trapped in their homes. They adapted quickly, but the experience made one thing clear; volunteer surf lifesavers needed specialist training and equipment to respond safely and effectively when floodwaters rise.

That moment became the catalyst for change. Since then, Surf Life Saving Tasmania has worked with international experts in flood and swift water rescue, developed new safety standards, and designed training programs that go beyond the surf. But it’s your support that’s helped bring it all to life.

Proceeds from Surf Life Saving Lotteries have already contributed to training costs, purchased vital rescue gear and PPE, and supported the early stages of planning for the Centre of Excellence in Hobart. In fact, more than 60% of the Centre’s development to date has been funded by donations, grants, and the support of people like you.

And while the Centre will be based in Tasmania, its impact will be national. Volunteers from every state and territory will come to Tasmania to train and take those lifesaving skills back to their own communities. It’s about building surge capacity for disasters, strengthening local resilience, and making sure our volunteers are ready for whatever comes next.

As floods become more frequent and severe, our ability to respond quickly and safely has never been more important. That’s why this Centre matters. That’s why your support matters.

So thank you. Your ticket didn’t just help build something extraordinary, it’s helping build a safer future for all Australians.