Frequent Questions
Why should Surf Life Saving WA dump woodside?
1
Woodside’s extensive marketing (lobbying, advertising, public relations, sponsorships and branding opportunities) is designed to improve how we feel about them, how the media reports on the impacts of their business, and of course, to ensure the government makes commercially beneficially decisions for them, like this one.
Recent data shows just how influential the ‘voice’ of fossil fuel actors is in delaying climate action - and unfortunately, we have run out of time for any more delays. The science says we need to stop opening new gas projects, and wind down existing ones, to retain a habitable planet for the next generation.
We can no longer give fossil fuel companies permission to advertise on our kids. Our children should not grow up surro fossil fuel branding that will ultimately bring harm to them.
Protecting kids from harmful advertising is public health.
Because we already restrict advertising for harmful products like tobacco, and fossil fuels should be no different.
Because our kids are not billboards.
How will the Nippers program be funded if the agreement is scrapped?
2
The Nippers program is powered by volunteers, parents, and community - it existed long before the Woodside partnership was in place, and will exist for a long time after. Currently, parents pay more in fees for their kids to participate in the Nippers than Woodside pays per child - did you know that the fees were not reduced when Woodside came on board?
Separately, the small club partnership fee that each Surf Club receives from the sponsorship deal with Woodside could easily be sought from other local businesses or from fund raising events.
Just like Monash University have done, SLSWA should be good role models by dumping Woodside and seeking alternative funding.
doesn’t woodside pay for the nippers program?
3
Parents pay fees for their kids to participate in the Nippers, and volunteers run the program on Sunday mornings.
Woodside don’t pay for the Nippers program, the pay for branding.
It’s just a logo. Without Woodside, WON’T clubs lose everything? Just IGNORE IT.
4
A logo is the whole point. That is advertising. You’ll note that Woodside do not give money without the demand for their logo and name to be used. The branding is the point.
Sponsorship is not the issue. Fossil fuel sponsorship is. Our kids should not be the price of funding.
There are many other funders who do not compromise our kids, or their futures. Here are some initial thoughts to get SLSWA thinking; Bunnings, Canva, Yo-Chi, Nido Early School, Bankwest, Seven Group, Bayswater Car Rental, Minderoo, Betts, Health Engine, there are a lot of potential sponsors when you think about it.
Why target the nippers program and ask surf life saving wa to dump woodside?
5
Because kids are not billboards for fossil fuel companies. It’s our duty of care to protect children from harmful things - just like we do with cigarettes, asbestos, poison... did you know that using gas in your home is quite unhealthy and can contribute to kids’ asthma?
how can I TAKE ACTION?
6
Write to your local Surf Club using our tool and encourage them to Dump Woodside as a partner. If your club, and SLSWA know that the community believe that Woodside is not a good sponsor, they are more likely to cancel the five-year partnership early, or not renew when it comes to a natural end after the 2028/29 season.
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