community
Water safety reminder for summer
The warm weather has arrived, which means people will be seeking places to cool off as the temperature rises. But fun in the water can turn to tragedy.
There were 357 drowning deaths in Australia in the past 12 months, a 27 per cent increase on the 10-year average, according to the 2025 National Drowning Report released by Royal Life Saving Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia.
Andrew Henry from Surf Life Saving SA’s education team says keeping you and your family safe around the water is all about preparation.
“If you’re going somewhere, it’s important to plan first,” Andrew says.
“The Beachsafe app (beachsafe.org.au/apps) can give you a general idea of what’s happening at that beach at that time.”
With the current algal bloom impacting many South Australian coastal regions, also check the State Government’s algal bloom website, algalbloom.sa.gov.au, for any information before you head off.
“We recommend going to patrolled beaches, but we know this isn’t always possible, particularly in regional areas, so be sure to look for any signs for information about any local dangers,” Andrew says.
“When it comes to rivers, the biggest dangers are the things you can’t see, so look out for signage and have a chat with a local first.”
When it comes to backyard pools, Andrew says educating children when they’re young is key, as well as knowing CPR.
“Kids are very clever at pulling up chairs to use as a boost over the fence, so it’s important to make sure your pool area is safe,” Andrew says.
“And as a minimum, you should do a CPR course and ideally a full first-aid course. “There’s also the danger of the sun, so consider what else you can do to make sure you’re protected from the sun, remembering to slip, slop, slap, slide and seek.”
Visit surflifesavingsa.com.au to find out more.
President's message
Summer is the perfect time to pause and celebrate the ways our 834,000-plus members help to shape everything we do at RAA.
Members are at the heart of every decision we make as a Board, and that’s why we’re always looking for fresh ways to connect, listen and spark meaningful engagement with you.
In 2025, we continued to create opportunities for real connection through our mid-year member forum, our Annual General Meeting and Gold 50 events in Victor Harbor, Mount Barker and O’Halloran Hill.
These events aren’t just about sharing updates; they’re about listening, engaging and shaping our decisions around what matters most to our members.
We also see this connection come to life through community programs like our EV Drive Day, where members explore the future of motoring; Street Smart High, where young drivers learn the consequences of risky behaviour; and RAA Bay to Birdwood – a celebration of motoring history, with thousands of our members taking part every year.
I thank my fellow Board members for keeping RAA’s member-first focus central to every discussion.
This includes Directors Dinuke Ranasinghe and Sunita Gloster AM* who joined us in mid-2025 and outgoing Directors Sharon Starick, Victoria Angove and Martin Small who have dedicated years of service to our members. It’s the diversity of skills and experience of the RAA Board that enables us to keep driving meaningful change, powered by our members, for our members.
Kathy Gramp
RAA President and Chairman of the Board
* Sunita’s casual appointment is subject to member approval at the upcoming AGM, which had not been held at the time of publication.
Kathy Gramp
RAA President and Chairman of the Board
Recycling efforts boosted
South Australia’s container deposit scheme will be expanded to include wine and spirit bottles from late 2027.
The 10-cent refund scheme was the first of its kind to be introduced in Australia in 1977, and the expansion coincides with the program’s 50th anniversary.
As part of the program, an average of 660 million containers are returned each year, preventing them from entering the environment or landfill and preserving resources.
According to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), beverage containers make up only 2.8 per cent of litter thanks to the scheme.
The expanded scheme will also include cordial and juice containers as well as larger containers of up to three litres of beverages that are already in the scheme, like flavoured milk, and fruit and vegetable juice.
Plain milk and health tonic containers will continue to be excluded from the scheme.
Meanwhile, more single-use plastics have been banned in SA from 1 September.
Plastic single-serve soy sauce containers, straws and cutlery attached to a food or beverage product, and pre-packaged expanded polystyrene (EPS) cups and bowls are now banned from use in South Australia. For more information about SA’s container deposit scheme, visit epa.sa.gov.au
Driving volunteer numbers
Foodbank SA & NT is on the lookout for people to join their dedicated brigade of more than 700 volunteers.
Foodbank SA & NT CEO Greg Pattison says demand for their services is on the rise, with more families turning to the organisation for support.
“Our volunteers are a great group of South Australians donating their time to help more than 150,000 people in need – we simply couldn’t operate without their support,” Greg says.
“In particular, drivers are in short supply, so if you’re ready to get behind the wheel, we’d love to hear from you.”
With more than 3.4 million households across Australia facing food insecurity, it’s possible that your friends, neighbours and colleagues may be regularly skipping meals, reducing portion sizes, or even going entire days without food.
“With hardship growing, it’s difficult to keep up with demand and it’s one of the reasons we’re moving to a new, bigger warehouse in Pooraka next year,” Greg says.
You can help today by supporting RAA’s Foodbank Food Drive, which runs until 30 November. Visit raa.com.au/foodbank to find out how you can get involved.
Bushfire safety on holidays
With the state’s fire danger season upon us, are you prepared? Whether you live in a bushfire risk area or you’re travelling through one, it’s important to have a plan in place.
CFS Director Community Risk and Resilience Alison May says safety should always be top priority when travelling to or through bushfire-prone areas.
“It is important for anyone travelling during the fire danger season to understand the risk of the area they are travelling in by checking the fire danger ratings daily,” Alison says.
“Travellers should familiarise themselves with the areas they’re travelling and have a bushfire survival plan in place including a plan for accessing critical information in an emergency.”
This could include accessing the CFS website, Alert SA app or tuning into the local radio station.
“Ensure family and friends are aware of your travel plans and be prepared to modify or postpone travel when dangerous weather is forecast,” Alison says.
Alison also recommends planning what to take with you in your vehicle, including woollen blankets, protective clothing (not synthetic), sturdy boots, a first-aid kit, food and water. For more information, visit cfs.sa.gov.au
IMAGES: Getty; RAA/Emma Henderson.
