Australians encouraged to share their favourite patrolled beach for DHL Summer campaign

• The DHL Summer campaign aims to celebrate the important work of Surf Life Saving Australia’s volunteer surf lifesavers in keeping our beaches safe
• Australians are invited to nominate their favourite patrolled beach and stand a chance to win a holiday to any patrolled beach of their choice

As Australians flock to the beach this summer, DHL Express, the world's leading international express provider and Surf Life Saving Australia are celebrating the contributions of volunteer surf lifesavers across the country.

The DHL Summer campaign, which runs from today till 3 March 2018, invites Australians to join a competition to share why they love their favourite patrolled beach in photo, video or word form.

Entrants will stand a chance to win the grand prize – a holiday to any patrolled beach in Australia and a AUD$2,000 cash donation to be made on their behalf, to the Surf Life Saving Club of their favourite beach. This surf club donation will go towards funding much-needed items such as rescue equipment, volunteer training and club facility upgrades.

Gary Edstein, CEO and Senior Vice President at DHL Express Oceania said, “The passion and countless hours dedicated by volunteer surf lifesavers each season to keep beachgoers across Australia safe at the beach is truly commendable. DHL is very pleased to be supporting Surf Life Saving Australia’s work since 2003, to deliver safer beaches to the community with the DHL Summer campaign.”

Melissa King, Chief Executive Officer, Surf Life Saving Australia said, "The DHL Summer campaign aims to raise awareness of the work of our 311 Surf Life Saving Clubs, highlighting their roles in keeping our beaches safe at patrolled beaches. The DHL Summer Campaign is a great platform to show support for your favourite or local surf club and surf lifesavers.”

In addition to the grand prize, a winner will be selected daily during the campaign period to receive a DHL Summer beach prize pack. The beach pack consists of everything needed to get a beachgoer protected and ready to hit the sand – Havaianas® thongs, Surf Life Saving Australia SPF 50+ sunscreen, and a DHL-branded beach bag, towel and cooler bag.

Fronting this year’s campaign as ambassadors are 22-year-old Caroline Kearney from Grange Surf Life Saving Club, South Australia (2017 DHL Volunteer of the Year) and 44-year-old surf lifesaver Craig Hobart from Christies Beach Surf Life Saving Club, South Australia.

Caroline Kearney has been volunteering on patrol for nine years and was state representative for South Australia at the National Leadership College in 2016. She established a social program for female members over the age of 13 aimed to drive retention and engagement of surf members in sports and the community.

For Craig Hobart, a recipient of the Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship, patrolling the beach is a lifelong family affair. His mother, Joyce was the first female Life Member at Christies Beach Surf Life Saving Club and his sister and her family are also active members of the club.

The DHL Summer campaign will run from 24 January to 3 March 2018. For more information, please visit www.dhlsummer.com