PRESS RELEASE: Cocky Guides and Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club join forces to expand inclusive opportunities for blind and low-vision Australians

To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, Cocky Guides welcomed Rob Deacon, Director of Lifesaving at Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club, as guest speaker at the second White Cane Mingle, held at Moorebank Sports Club. Rob shared insights into Coalcliff SLSC’s award-winning Dreams Take Flight program and its future direction toward greater inclusion.

Founded in the 2020/21 season, Dreams Take Flight began as an initiative led by Rob during his time as a PDHPE teacher at Lawrence Hargrave School in Warwick Farm. Designed to empower disadvantaged youth, the program provided a pathway for young people experiencing emotional, learning, or family challenges to build essential life skills, including communication, leadership, teamwork, resilience, and self-discipline.

Over the past five years, the program has grown to involve multiple schools across South West Sydney. Participants gain surf safety awareness and, for many, the opportunity to become active patrolling members of Coalcliff SLSC—benefiting both the students and the broader community.

In alignment with this year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” Coalcliff SLSC is now evolving the program to welcome blind and low-vision Australians. The club will begin by adapting training for the Radio Operators Certificate, creating new opportunities to participate in surf lifesaving and connect with beach communities.

“Surf lifesaving has so many roles requiring different skill sets. Not everyone in the red and yellow uniform needs to get in the water,” says Rob Deacon, Director of Lifesaving at Coalcliff SLSC. “We need first aiders, communicators, BBQ cooks, nipper age managers, administrators, trainers, officials, and social media gurus. By being more inclusive and welcoming more community members, we truly represent and protect the communities we serve. With the right training and a few small adjustments, there’s no reason our surf club can’t be even more inclusive. Our Dreams Take Flight program is flexible and adaptable to make that happen.”

Low-vision guide dog handler Margaret Buck said the hands-on session left a strong impression.

“I loved how Rob brought equipment from the surf club so we could understand how everything works together—from the flags to the radios, the whistle, and the bumbags that make up the surf lifesaving uniform. I learned a lot at our White Cane Mingle. This gives me a wonderful opportunity to return to the beach, which I used to visit regularly with my family before my vision loss.”

Kellie Hayes, Director of Cocky Guides Australia, said the White Cane Mingle is designed to spark valuable community connections.
“White Cane Mingle brings the broader community together with blind and low-vision individuals to build meaningful social networks. Together with Moorebank Sports Club, we’re creating a supportive hub for Sydney’s south-west.”

International Day of People with Disability – Cocky Guides activities

Cocky Guides continues celebrations throughout the week with two upcoming sensory experiences:

– Friday 5 December 2025 – A visit to Blue Mountains Lavender Farm, where founder Louise Bickerton will guide guests through a scented flight of lavender varieties, followed by a hands-on exploration of the blooming fields.

– Saturday 6 December 2025 – A festive trip to Exeter Markets in the Southern Highlands, followed by a tactile workshop at Farm Club Australia in Werai, where blind and low-vision guests will create their own Christmas wreaths.

The next White Cane Mingle will take place on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Moorebank Sporties, Hammondville.