Royal Life Saving South Australia names new Chief Executive

August 7, 2023

Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia has announced that appointment of Jake Culkin as its new Chief Executive.

A former swim school owner and aquatic centre duty manager, since joining Royal Life Saving South Australia in 2020 Culkin has gained extensive leadership experience within the organisation in areas including management of operations, human resources, financial and risk management, and nationally accredited education and training programmes.

With a background of over 12 years in the aquatic industry, including local government aquatic management, Culkin moves from the role of General Manager as the body.

His highlights in this role are listed as including the revitalisation of aquatic risk services, development of multicultural swimming programs, and the leadership of the inclusive swim program.

Culkin replaces Jayne Minear who has made the decision to step down after five years in the role.

During this time, she is acknowledged as having been instrumental in revitalising the organisation, expanding swimming and water safety programmes throughout the state, and providing leadership to the aquatic industry.

In a statement, Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia advised “we thank Jayne for her dedicated service to the Society, and for ensuring that communities throughout South Australia have received nationally accredited water safety education programmes and opportunities.”

Commenting on Culkin’s appointment, the Society added “after a thorough application process, we congratulate … Jake Culkin.

“The board assessed several suitable applicants and believed that Jake was the best fit for this position based on his experience within the aquatic industry, combined with business acumen gained from local government and higher education.”

Image: Jake Culkin. Credit: Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia.

28th July 2023 - Swimming program for Indigenous children secures top honour at Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards

27th July 2023 - Royal Life Saving Society Australia named as founding member of Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention

25th July 2023 - Landmarks Go Blue to mark World Drowning Prevention Day

19th July 2023 - Royal Life Saving report shows the aquatic industry leads way on employment

14th July 2023 - Webinar to launch Royal Life Saving’s National Aquatic Industry Workforce Report 2023

16th June 2023 - Royal Life Saving welcomes new Community Energy Upgrades Fund as presenting opportunity for aquatic facilities

12th May 2023 - Royal Life Saving sees Federal budget’s new Growing Regions Program as an opportunity for regional pools

24th February 2023 - Royal Life Saving develops new online course specifically for pool lifeguards

15th January 2023 - Royal Life Saving data shows 20% increase in children’s post-pandemic swimming lessons

3rd January 2023 - Royal Life Saving releases new online module on communication skills for aquatic industry

2nd November 2022 - Royal Life Saving report shows up to 40% of Australia’s pools may need substantial upgrade or replacement by 2030

17th August 2022 - Royal Life Saving Society spotlights successful National Water Safety Summit 2022

10th December 2020 - Royal Life Saving launches 2020/21 South Australian Vacswim program

4th December 2020 - Changes set to provide greater unity in the South Australia aquatics industry

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.