Peter Lacey Statue

The Peter Lacey statue commemorates Peter Lacey (1947-1996), one of the greatest surf lifesaving competitors of all time, a sport that dates back to 1908 in Queensland. In 22 successive years of competition from 1963-84, he won 18 gold, 19 silver and 10 bronze medals at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships and also won four World Surf Lifesaving Championships.From 1983 to 1985 he was the Australian representative team coach of an undefeated Australian Surf Lifesaving Team. Between 1991 to 1994 he competed internationally in the World Masters Surf Lifesaving and Games event, winning a further 16 gold and six silver medals.Lacey was also employed as a City of Gold Coast lifeguard in 1975-76, part of the largest professional lifeguard service in Australia. The City employs 39 permanent staff and 140 seasonal staff to patrol 26 beaches 52 weeks a year and 39 beaches during school holiday periods along its 57 kilometre coastline. Surf Life Saving Queensland was established here as the governing body for the sport in 1930.