Beach to Bush: the 30 year history 1994-2023
Since 1994, NSW surf lifesavers have been visiting schools in rural and remote areas in regional NSW to educate primary school students about beach, coastal and water safety. Lets have a look at the history of this iconic program.
1994 ~ 2003
Beach to Bush was launched in 1994 by Max Waters (life member Port Macquarie SLSC). As the Mid North Coast Director of Lifesaving, Max worked with SLSNSW to conduct a survey which led to the trial and implementation of the first surf education program for rural NSW students. Max, along with Robert Smith OAM spoke to over 2,000 regional and remote school children about beach and water safety. In that first year, they visited 30 schools over two weeks. Descendants of Robert Smith have since been part of the B2B program as beach safety presenters.
66,510
Students reached
510
Schools visited
128
Volunteer Presenters
969
Presentations delivered
2004 ~ 2013
In 2006 the first ever official launch of the Telstra Beach to Bush program took place on Monday 13 November at Queenscliff Beach.
The launch received national and statewide TV coverage via a live crossover with Channel 9’s Today Show. Brett Williamson from Surf Life Saving Australia spoke about the importance of the program and the strong partnership between Telstra and Surf Life Saving. Staff from SLSNSW also took a group of children from the Far Royal West Home located in Manly through a brief surf safety lesson.
As part of Channel 9’s syndication, this broadcast to over 40 stations nationwide and reached over 1.6 million viewers.
“A great presentation and a very valuable and important series of messages. We would love to have you back every year” – Goulburn North Public School – Goulburn Tour”
116,178
Students reached
794
Schools visited
173
Volunteer Presenters
1,296
Presentations delivered
2014 ~ 2023
The 2014 Beach to Bush program was the largest program in five years, with eight tours reaching 14,000 students from 72 schools. In 2020 for the first time in the history of the program, the B2B safety messages were delivered virtually by presenters from SLS Clubs along the NSW coast due to restrictions visiting schools during the COVID 19 pandemic. An updated and refreshed program is planned for the 2023 sessions.
I was at the beach only a week after that presentation and thanks to you I knew what to do. So thank you so much for visiting us and teaching as about the beach
80,222
Students reached
536
Schools visited
216
Volunteer Presenters
907
Presentations delivered
Since 1994 to 2023 our dedicated surf lifesavers have shared their beach & coastal safety knowledge with over 275,000 NSW bush students!
275,530
Students reached
1,953
Schools visited
3,216
Presentations delivered
547
Volunteer presenters
30
Years B2B has been educating rural NSW students