Surfs up for Woodside Energy and Surf Life Saving WA with new Nippers deal
WA’s biggest oil and gas company has renewed a deal to sponsor Surf Life Saving WA and the Nippers children’s program.
Woodside Energy has backed the non-profit since 2012.
But the energy giant’s philanthropy has faced opposition — with sponsorship of the Fremantle Dockers and Artrage’s Fringe Festival previously put under pressure.
The updated Surf Life Saving deal includes support for the Lifesaver Safety Program and training through the Woodside Jet Ski Program.
Perhaps the best-known is the Woodside Nippers, teaching kids aged 5 to 12 skills in the surf and lifesaving.
“Surf Life Saving WA is a community-based organisation which plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Western Australians,” Woodside executive vice-president Liz Westcott said in a statement.
“Woodside is proud to renew our longstanding partnership with SLSWA and continue our support for their programs which keep our beaches safe and educate the next generation of WA lifesavers.”
SLSWA president Heidi Gan said the organisation was “thrilled to continue this partnership”.
The non-profit received $13.7 million revenue in the 2023 financial year, according to a filing with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.
Last year, Woodside inked a fresh deal with the Dockers despite a concerted campaign backed by former premier Carmen Lawrence.
The business parted ways with Fringe Festival and Artrage through a “transition” starting in 2021, while Perth Festival and Chevron also cut ties after almost two decades in 2022.
Oil and gas is WA’s second-biggest industry, contributing about 10 per cent of the State’s annual income.
But LNG exports account for about 8 per cent of national carbon emissions.
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