What’s Happening?
Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club has been selected to receive a new inflatable rescue boat (IRB) hull through Ampol’s 2026 giveaway.
The award forms part of Ampol’s ongoing partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, supporting volunteer lifesavers with essential rescue equipment. For Yeppoon, the new hull will provide additional support for regular beach patrols, training exercises and emergency response operations.
The initiative also recognises the important role surf lifesaving clubs play in protecting coastal communities, particularly as summer approaches.
Why It Matters
Having reliable rescue equipment can make a significant difference when lifesavers respond to emergencies in the water. IRBs allow trained crews to reach people in difficulty quickly, particularly in situations where time and accessibility are critical.
Beyond emergency rescues, these boats support daily patrols, surveillance and practical training. This makes them an essential resource for clubs preparing volunteers to respond to different conditions along Australia’s coastline.
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Adam Weir said the partnership with Ampol helps clubs access equipment that directly supports volunteers.
“Every day, volunteer lifesavers across Australia give their time to protect others, and having the right equipment is fundamental to that work. These 12 IRB hulls will give recipient clubs another important resource to support their patrol operations, training programs and emergency response capabilities. What makes this initiative particularly valuable is its reach. From major metropolitan beaches to regional and remote communities, these clubs play an important role in keeping people safe in and around the water.”
“We thank Ampol for continuing to invest in our clubs and congratulate the 12 recipients on being selected in 2026.”
Local Impact
For Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club, receiving the new hull means additional equipment to support volunteers serving the Capricorn Coast community.
The hull will contribute to the club’s existing lifesaving operations while giving experienced crews another resource for patrols and emergency response. It will also support training activities, helping newer volunteers develop practical skills alongside experienced lifesavers.
Yeppoon joins Pacific Surf Life Saving Club as Queensland’s successful recipients. Both clubs will benefit from equipment designed to strengthen their ability to respond to emergencies and support community water safety.
By The Numbers
Ampol’s annual rescue equipment giveaway continues to support surf lifesaving clubs across Australia, with this year’s recipients representing different coastal communities.
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12 surf lifesaving clubs will receive new IRB hulls through Ampol’s 2026 giveaway, supporting their patrol operations, training and emergency response capabilities.
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Six Australian states are represented, with four clubs in New South Wales, two each in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, and one each in South Australia and Tasmania.
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Five years into the Ampol IRB Hull competition, the programme continues to provide equipment that has supported Australian lifesavers since the 1970s.
Zoom In
While the new rescue hull is an important addition for Yeppoon, Ampol’s support extends beyond supplying equipment.
Fundraising through Ampol’s Foodary convenience retail network also contributes to Surf Life Saving Australia initiatives, particularly specialised volunteer training and skills development.
These programmes cover advanced lifesaving, coastal and remote rescue, emergency response, flood and swift-water rescue, and specialist rescue training for abalone divers.
Together, the equipment and training initiatives help prepare volunteers for emergencies along the coastline and in more challenging environments. They also support the development of newer lifesavers while strengthening the capabilities of experienced rescue crews.
Zoom Out
Yeppoon’s selection places the Capricorn Coast club alongside several well-known surf lifesaving organisations across Australia.
In New South Wales, Bondi, Kiama, Urunga and Pambula Surf Life Saving Clubs were selected. Queensland’s other recipient is Pacific Surf Life Saving Club.
Victoria’s winners are Mildura and Mentone Life Saving Clubs, while Western Australia is represented by Broome and Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Clubs. Henley Surf Life Saving Club in South Australia and Clifton Beach Surf Life Saving Club in Tasmania complete the recipients.
The national spread reflects the different conditions volunteer lifesavers face, from metropolitan beaches to regional and remote coastal communities.
Ampol Chief Brand and Customer Officer Jenny O’Regan said the annual donation reinforces the company’s commitment to community safety.
“Our annual donation of this essential rescue equipment is a continued source of pride for Ampol and the Ampol Foundation. Delivering long lasting impact and support to these 12 deserving Surf Life Saving Clubs speaks to the importance of community safety as a key pillar of the Ampol Foundation. As thousands of volunteer lifesavers gear up for the summer months, Ampol is firmly behind Surf Life Saving Australia and their mission of zero preventable deaths in Australian waters.”
What To Look For Next?
With summer approaching, Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club’s new rescue hull will provide additional support for its volunteer crews.
The equipment will contribute to ongoing patrols, emergency response and training, helping volunteers maintain their readiness for incidents along the Capricorn Coast.
Across Australia, the awarded hulls will serve clubs with different local needs and operating conditions. Meanwhile, Ampol’s continued support for equipment and specialist training will help strengthen volunteer lifesaving capabilities across the country.
