Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan today announced Life Saving Victoria (LSV) as the official charity partner of the 2012 Regional Victoria Living Expo, to be held at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre (27 – 29 April).

Mr Ryan said the partnership aimed to raise valuable awareness of the dangers of waterways in regional communities.

“Regional Victoria’s waterways are a natural drawcard and while we want people to enjoy these great natural attractions, it’s important to remember every water environment has inherent dangers which can be deadly,” Mr Ryan said.

“Life Saving Victoria provides a valuable emergency service and the Victorian Coalition Government is proud to announce LSV as our official charity partner.

“Tragically there were 34 drowning deaths in Victoria in 2010/2011 and of these, 59 per cent occurred in regional and rural areas. Comparatively, of the 38 drowning deaths in 2009/2010, 47 per cent occurred in regional and rural Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

LSV Chief Executive Officer Nigel Taylor said volunteer lifesaver patrols were just one of LSV’s many services which worked to improve water safety across all aquatic environments.

“Our services also include education and training programs, research and injury prevention, and communication campaigns, such as Play it Safe by the Water, to raise awareness of water safety,” Mr Taylor said.

“We look forward to being at the 2012 Regional Victoria Living Expo where we can talk to patrons about what they can do to keep their families safe around water.”

The free Expo will host Victoria’s 48 rural and regional councils as well as exhibitors under one roof to give Melbourne residents and businesses all the information they need to consider relocating to regional and rural Victoria.

People attending the Expo will be asked to contribute a gold coin donation to Life Saving Victoria.

For more information on the Regional Victoria Living Expo visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au/expo.

Media contact: Sonia Heath 0413 485 526 Read More

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