Murtaza Ali came to Australia ten years ago as a student. After completing his studies he joined the Australian workforce and is now married and has a child.
When he decided to call Australia his permanent home, he set himself a goal: “Australia has given me everything and it is time to pay the country back.”
“What I experienced here is the system of equal opportunity. Be it the government or private sector, if you have the skills and work honestly, you are rewarded...The health and education services are top quality and are provided to you irrespective of your social status.”
I was accepted with open arms in the community regardless of my background or ethnicity. I am a citizen now and have the same opportunities as any Australian.
Murtaza volunteers his time every Sunday as a lifesaver. Source: Supplied
“I am from a coastal city of Pakistan, Karachi. There are several beaches and the population is the size of Australia. Yet beach life is not the same as it is down under."
To achieve his goal Murtaza had to face the challenge of learning to swim from scratch.
“Initially when I took the first few lessons, I was told it is not easy to become an expert at a later stage in life compared to learning when you are a child.
I want to be a role model to show everyone what true Australian values are.
Murtaza took several swimming courses, from beginner to an advanced level, as he continued developing his swimming and rescue skills.
Murtaza and other lifesavers at Garie beach in NSW. Source: Supplied
Surf Life Savers Australia (SLSA) is the country’s primary coastal water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority.
The organisation has over 50,000 patrol members including 6,746 bronze medallion lifesavers, of which Murtaza is a part.
In 2018–19, more than 10,000 rescues and around 90,000 first aid treatments were performed on the coastlines by .
The Garie Vanguard Brings Diverse Communities Together To Train As Surf Lifesavers Source: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
From the pool to deep-water swimming
Murtaza says becoming a lifesaver requires a lot of learning and one has to participate in several training courses.
“It took me around four years to be a lifesaver. I worked on several weekends and had to sacrifice my family time to spend time on the beach.
“It was extremely challenging but I used to back myself with the thought that it will be only for a limited time.
The time was worth the effort because I knew that once I qualify as a lifesaver, it will be for a lifetime.
Although Murtaza is a qualified lifesaver now, his learning and training has not stopped.
“Of course, I will have to update myself with training, but it will not be as challenging as the first ones,” he says.
There are several ways one can become a Surf Life Saving volunteer.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Garie Vanguard Surf Life Saving trainee Murtaza Tahir looks out across the beach during training on November 24, 2019. Source: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
“Surf Life Saving has opportunities for people to be an active patrol member saving lives on the beach, an age manager for Nippers on the weekend or as a volunteer club official working behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly,” the SLSA states.
