Sigh Bar Bay is a suite of eLearning materials designed, built and hosted by eLearn Australia for Surf Life Saving WA. The program centres on a virtual beach and life saving clubrooms where typical volunteer-based characters perform the key tasks associated with the operation of a Surf Life Saving Club. Surf Live Saving WA’s ‘E-Learning for the Front Line Lifesaver’ program, built around the online resource, recently won the Community Innovation Award at the Injury Control Council WA (ICCWA) Community Safety Awards for its contribution to coastal safety. 

Chris Sutton CEO of eLearn Australia said that "I am extremely proud of our eLearn Australia development team.  The ‘Sigh Bar Bay’ online learning program is the culmination of six years of creative educational design commenced in 2004 when Australian Surf Lifesaving asked me to develop an elearning strategy appropriate and feasible for surf lifesaver training.  Surf Life Saving WA showed great courage and insight in taking up the challenge to commission, implement and deploy the 'Sigh Bar Bay' resource. We have advised, worked with and supported them since 2007, with some funding by the Australian government's Australian Flexible Learning Framework, to develop what is now a comprehensive and exciting suite of programs for SLSWA volunteers.  There is every indication that based on its success in WA, the program will be adopted by other states in coming surf seasons."

The awards were presented by the Hon Rob Johnson MLA Minister for Police; Emergency Services and Road Safety and were held on Thursday 4th August at The Boulevard Centre, Floreat. John King, Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) Member Education and Training Coordinator said that “the award means a lot to SLSWA as it recognises the programs’ innovative approach to education. The award also recognises the effort that SLSWA has made over the past four years to put the program together.” As a result of the initiative, SLSWA now provides the Surf Rescue Certificate, Bronze Medallion Award, and the Silver Medallion Basic Beach Management Award through the E-learning pathway.

Surf Life Saving in WA is severely limited by the huge distances between members and their not-for-profit volunteer status.  There are not the resources available to send trainers around the state.  The resource is designed to provide lifesavers with the theoretical skills and knowledge of basic patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations.  It allows maximisation of precious face to face training time for practical hands on training. This program has been instrumental in training and educating front-line volunteer surf lifesavers and ultimately is ensuring that West Australians will be kept safe at the beach.

eLearn Australia is based in Nambour but consults, advises and designs for training organisations and Universities across Australia. They have developed elearning resources for health, mental health, nurse education, sport and recreation and emergency services.