Surf Life Saving through feast, famine and fire

The Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club has displayed inspiring resilience for more than 100 years and remains a cornerstone of safety, community, and opportunity in Queensland.

The Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club (was established in 1922 by a group of farmers driven by a strong sense of civic duty to oversee beach safety in their community. This sentiment remains the throughline of the club, driving thousands of volunteers over the next century. 

Over the next 100 years MSLSC went on to experience a fire destroying its clubhouse, major competition success, severe weather events, and membership highs and lows. However, thanks to unrelenting determination from dedicated members the club emerged through each hardship stronger than before.   

Club Captain Rachael Robinson reflects “We are currently entering one of the most exciting periods in our history. With a new, energetic committee and fresh direction, we are focused on the future.”

The club holds a dedicated roster of 14 patrols, 400 active lifesavers, and over 500 Nippers. MSLSC is a cornerstone of safety, community, and opportunity on the Sunshine Coast. 

The club proudly creates a lifelong pathway for members. The journey starts at just five years old in the shallows as a Nipper, learning basic surf awareness, teamwork, and water safety. As they grow Nippers turn to Cadets, who move onto patrolling members, competitors, mentors and beyond. 

Beyond the water there are ways for people of all abilities to contribute whether it be on patrol, radio operation, or behind the scenes. The MSLSC has built a full-circle journey for its community built on mateship, service and shared purpose, where everybody is welcome and has a place. Continuing the legacy of the dedicated farmers who founded the club over 100 years ago. 

Multi-generational approach

MSLSC current focus is on the future that starts with youth development. They are determined to provide the young people of Mooloolaba with strong role models, a sense of community, and a healthy, active lifestyle. Offering a safe and positive space for young people to grow, learn and thrive. 

The club is determined to provide an experience that is genuinely fun, social and rewarding for young people, encouraging them to be active physically and in their community. Providing them with a sense of purpose, belonging and achievement. 

Frontline in times of crisis

Southeast Queensland is no stranger to extreme weather, a 2013 cyclone even brought down one of MSLSC’s surf towers. The Club plays a vital role for the community in times of crisis, with members on standby during storm and cyclone season ready to respond to rising floodwaters, coastal rescues, or local evacuations. Whilst the tower being knocked down served as a stark reminder of the power of nature, it served as a symbol of the club’s resilience and ability to bounce back in times of hardship. 

Community bedrock

The Mooloolaba surf lifesaving club is so much more than the sum of it’s parts. It is an anchor point for the Mooloolaba community, offering stability, connection and purpose, not just as lifesavers but as a dependable part of the community fabric. 

I asked the Club Captain Rachael Robinson what makes the Mooloolaba Surf club special and she said: 

“Someone once told me, “Only good people volunteer” - and that rings especially true at Mooloolaba SLSC. What makes our Club truly unique is the sense of community, connection, and shared purpose. We are more than just a surf club, we are like a village, a second family.

It is rare to find an organisation where every generation can be involved together. From five-year-old Nippers to grandparents patrolling the beach, coaching, managing age groups, or officiating at carnivals, this is a place where families grow, serve, and support each other side by side. Whether you are competing at the Australian Titles, helping at Nippers BBQs, or putting in hours on patrol, everyone plays an important role.”

This multi-generational element of the MSLSC has allowed the club to weave itself into the fabric of the community and keeping members engaged for life. Rachael Robinson went on to say: 

“That commitment to retention builds depth, experience, and strength within the Club, allowing us to do what matters most: keep our beaches safe for locals, visitors, and tourists.

At our core, we are here for the community. Everything we give, we receive back tenfold, in friendships, pride, and purpose. 

And if there is one thing we always say: “Please swim between the flags!”