Sections

Community Engagement

Marine Rescue Sydney (State Communication centre) has held a range of community engagement activities for the period 2021. This was a challenging year for our volunteers as the pandemic really put some limitations on how we traditionally would engage with the community.  Despite this we achieved fewer community engagement activities and fundraisings.

Community engagement is an important activity where we take pride in meeting our local community to share about what we do and provides the opportunity to learn and explore how the community perceive our volunteer work.  We also focus on safety messages for people boating and  involved in other recreational activities using a range of watercraft. The activities we undertook in 2021 were as follows:

  • Gordon Shopping Centre – An event with banners and fundraising table on 12 June 2021, meeting interesting local community which attracted some inquisitive shoppers.
  • Bunnings BBQs held at Belrose – A friendly Saturday activity proved to be successful.  Unfortunately, it has been few and far between since COVID – 19 compared to our previous years. We look forward to return to this monthly activity in 2022.
  • The St Ives Show –  on 15-16 May 2021,  Marine Rescue Sydney put on a Display of Radio equipment, onboard vessel safety equipment,  life jackets (called PPEs) and EPIRB in addition to providing community awareness.  Next year, we look forward to display a Marine Rescue Vessel with the focus on “Safety at Sea”.
  • Return and Earn Campaign – Marine Rescue Sydney (SCC) is a proud partner of the recycling program with TOMRA and will continues to raise funds to supplement our unit to provide service to the communities. You can donate to Marine Rescue Sydney through the TOMRA app <link to Return and Earn app information>

Marine Rescue Sydney community engagement initiatives for the coming years will include:

  • An Open Day at our Belrose State Communications Centre and Terrey Hills Base with Arts and Crafts sales donated by Marine Rescue volunteer members.  Pending COVID-19 restrictions, the day will include various exciting activities and planned to be held in the first quarter of 2022.
  • Building upon our excellent relationship with Bunnings Belrose, we will continue with the sausage sizzle events where Marine Rescue Sydney will continue to promote our services and safety at sea practices.
  • Promote our services at Yacht Clubs/Marinas appealing to the boating communities by ways of posters, brochures and post cards.
  • Hold joint online raffles with MRNSW HO.  There will be the usual fantastic prizes to be won!
  • We will look to expand our presence into the three local government areas i.e. Ku-ring-gai, Willoughby and Northern Beaches. We will display promotional banners and have marketing tables setup.
  • Northern Beaches Markets – Explore opportunities to conduct sausage sizzles at the market to promote “safety on water” encourage boat owners to log on voyages, conduct radio checks and wearing life jackets.
  • A range of other initiatives that are being developed.

Come and join our community engagement and fundraising team <link to become a volunteer>.

Return and Earn link from above

Marine Rescue Sydney is a proud partner of the recycling Return & Earn program with TOMRA.The free myTOMRA app gives a fast, secure, and convenient payout of your container deposit refund.

Why not become a Return and Earn (NSW) recycler and donate the funds to Marine Rescue Sydney. You can also use the app to find their nearest recycling location, see the Live Status of their preferred Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), or track your recycling achievements.

How to create a myTOMRA profile

  1. Download the myTOMRA app from the iTunes App Store or Google Play (or visit app.mytomra.com.au).
  2. Select “Login” and choose to register to create a myTOMRA profile using your email address. Alternatively, you can log in using your existing PayPal account.
  3. If you chose to login via email, you can choose your payout method in the menu. If you choose PayPal, you will need to link your PayPal account.

How to use the myTOMRA App at a reverse vending machine

You can use the myTOMRA app at any Return and Earn reverse vending machine in New South Wales. Find your closest location.

  1. Scan your personal myTOMRA app barcode at the reverse vending machine. You will see your name on the machine screen.
  2. Return your empty containers for recycling.
  3. When you are finished, tap the Payout button on the reverse vending machine screen. Your recycling refunds will be available in your myTOMRA profile as an E-voucher, as a PayPal payout, or as a Charity Donation, depending on your payout preferences.

Donate to Marine Rescue Sydney

You can donate your recycling refund directly to Marine Rescue Sydney.

To begin, select the “Charities” menu, and find Marine Rescue Sydney. Simply set that charity as your preferred payout method and you’re good to go. When you’re at the TOMRA RVM simply scan your barcode, make your returns, and select the Payout option. Your refund can be donated directly to Marine Rescue Sydney. You can view all of your past and pending donations in the Refunds section of the app.