International Life Saving Federation

World Life Saving (WLS) was founded on 24 March, 1971 in Cronulla, Australia. The constitution came into effect on 14 June 1977 with a formal agreement between the foundation nations: Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.

The World Life Saving was founded for the purpose of establishing educational marine safety and aquatic programmes on a people-to-people basis. It was constituted on 24 March 1971 in Cronulla - Australia. The final approval of the Constitution came into effect on the 14th June 1977.

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The founding members of World Life Saving were: Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America. On 24 February 1993, WLS merged with FIS to form the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). By that time, WLS represented more than 20 full member national life saving organisations.

Former Presidents of WLS

• 1971 - 1974
  • Kevin WELDON (Australia - Surf)
• 1974 - 1976
  • Denis OSBORNE (South Africa)
• 1976 - 1980
  • Vincent MOOREHOUSE (United States) *
• 1980 - 1982
  • Cecil SMALL (New Zealand - Surf)
• 1982 - 1986
  • Gus STAUNTON (Australia - Surf)
• 1986 - 1988
  • Marlin MOORE (Canada)
• 1988 - 1993
  • Max (Melvin) BOWMAN (United States)
• 1993 - 1994
  • Alan ROSS (South Africa) *

Honorary and Honoured Members of WLS

• 1982
  • Vincent MOOREHOUSE (United States) *
  • Kevin WELDON, AM (Australia - Surf)
  • Jack DEARLOVE, MBE (Australia - Surf)
• 1984
  • Alan WHELPTON, AO (Australia - Surf)
  • Denis OSBORNE (South Africa) *
• 1986
  • Dr. Ian MACKIE, MD (Australia - Surf) *
  • Melvin (Max) BOWMAN (United States)
• 1988
  • Gus B. STAUNTON, MBE (Australia - Surf)
• 1990
  • Warren RENNIE (Australia - Surf)
• 1992
  • Paul SMITH, OAM (Australia - Surf) *
• 1993
  • Doug D'ARNALL (United States)
  • Derrick WHITTING (South Africa)

* Deceased