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Australia Lifesaver

2007 Silver Proof Twenty Cent reverse 2007 Silver Proof Twenty Cent obverse

2007 Silver Proof Twenty Cent

Mintage:3,475
Reverse Designer:Vladimir Gottwald Obverse Designer:Ian Rank-Broadley Size:28.5mm Weight:13.36g Edge:Reeded Composition:99.9% Silver

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This twenty cent coin was designed specially by the Royal Australian Mint to mark the centenary anniversary of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). For over a century volunteer members of the association have given their time, energy, and skills in maintaining the safety of Australia's coastline. They teach children about beach safety and the dangers of the water, and patrol the beaches ready to assist if anyone gets into trouble both in and out of the water. Throughout its years of service SLSA has saved millions of lives and allowed Australia to safely develop its surf and sea culture. SLSA is Australia's authority in providing water safety, drowning prevention, and rescue services on the beaches. It is a volunteer organisation that is made up of 311 surf life saving clubs and has over 165,000 members. The majority are volunteers who patrol the coats whilst the organisation also contracts a lifeguard service to government and land owners. The work done by SLSA is integral to Australian lifestyle and has helped to shape the nation and its prominent surfing and watersport culture.

Before 1902 it was illegal for anyone to enter the ocean but as the law began to be increasingly challenged, it was overturned. As more and more people entered the waters, so too were there more and more drowning incidents due to inexperience in the water and unusual rip currents. As a result, volunteers began patrolling the beaches, and by 1906 the Bondi Beach Surf Bathing Association had been formed. (Wikipedia, 2013) Following the first club in Sydney, affiliated clubs began to pop up all over the country. The name changed in 1922 to Surf Life Saving Association and then again in 1991 to its existing name of Surf Life Saving Australia. As well as the adult volunteer members, the association also has a junior program of which members are called Nippers. This provides the opportunity to learn about beach safety and awareness in the water from a young age. Lifesaver volunteers have certificates ensuring their proficiency in swimming, first aid, and rescue techniques. The exam, which involves both theoretical and practical aspects, can be taken from the age of 15. Over 6 million people have been rescued by the SLSA since 1907, with over 10,000 rescues and 30,000 cases of first aid on average every year.

This twenty cent Year of the Lifesaver commemorative coin was featured in the 2007 Six Coin Year Sets that are issued annually by the Royal Australian Mint. 2007 marked 100 years since the formation of Surf Life Saving Australia and therefore a centenary since volunteers began to patrol the beaches. The sets were issued in three different types: uncirculated , silver proof and gold proof. They all make great collectors pieces but the silver is fairly rare with a limited mintage of just 3,475 and the gold proof set even more so at just 300. As well as this coin, the one dollar coin included in the set features a special design specifically to pay tribute to the Year of the Lifesaver. The reverse of this particular coin was designed by Vladimir Gottwald of the RAM. On top of a background of curved lines which depict the waves is the image of a woman performing one of the rescue techniques used by the SLSA. Women have been involved in the association for decades but it was only in 1980 that they were officially permitted to become members. Alongside the image of the woman pulling a rope over her head is the legend Year of the SURF LIFESAVER. Below this and overlapping the waves is the denomination 20. The coin's obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as well as the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2007.

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