The Silent Sentry life-saving system created by the Nathan Drew Trust was a hot topic of conversation when founder Graeme Drew visited Adelaide recently.

Mr Drew said the Water Safety Council of South Australia had shown keen interest in the Silent Sentries which have already saved two lives on the south coast.

“Once we finalise the sentries, the Water Council of SA is very interested in installing them on their wharves and other dangerous water-related areas,” Mr Drew said.

“The Nathan Drew Trust has begun to liaise with them to see if we can get our technology fitted over there.

“This was another positive outcome from a very enjoyable trip.”

The Australian Local Hero Award winner visited SA to reunite with fellow 2008 Australian of the Year Award (AOTY) winners.

He joined Australian of the Year Professor Mick Dodson, Young Australian of the Year Jonty Bush and Senior Australian of the Year Pat La Manna on a visit to schools and community organisations.

The visit was part of the AOTY program’s Tour of Honour, which enables recipients of the nation’s most respected honour to share their inspiring stories with students and community members.

Mr Drew was special guest at a reception by the State’s Premier.

He spoke to more than 4,000 students at seven different schools about the dangers of rock sea fishing.

On his return from Adelaide, Mr Drew and Nathan Drew Trust chairman Theo Newhouse presented suggestions to the Injury Control Council of WA at its conference in Geraldton.

“We presented a paper of all the near-misses, accidents and their ramifications to the ICCWA,” Mr Drew said.

“After the event I was asked to be patron of the ICCWA for October, which is Safety Month.”

Mr Drew said the Trust submitted a funding application to the City of Albany last Friday in regard to the Silent Sentry Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs).

“We plan to fix four Silent Sentries at the Gap, Blowholes, Cape Point and Cable Beach, but they won’t be installed until they are complete units with EPIRBs fitted,” Mr Drew said.

“Once the EPIRB has been activated, you’ve got three minutes before the police arrive.

“If somebody has fiddled with it, there’s a good chance police will be coming over the hill before the culprit has left the car park.”