By RON LANE
FOR the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, Friday night 24 June was definitely like the sinking of the Titanic – a night to remember!
Before a packed house of some 240 guests which included life members, politicians, major sponsors and other invitees, acting President Barry Leek, on behalf of all members, extended a very warm welcome and invited all present to relax and enjoy the evening.
Despite being some two months since the Australian championships, where the Noosa competition team achieved their best results ever, many members are still drifting in a state of utopia.
While achieving these results they also created a major breakthrough, when, for the first time they had teams in the men’s and a ladies’ final of the blue ribbon event, the Taplin Relay.
The resulting tally of 17 medals (4 gold, 5 silver, 8 bronze) and the memories of these
achievements definitely set a positive atmosphere for the evening.
Mr Leek first of all thanked local MP Glen Elmes and Councillor Frank Pardon for their support over the years and also acknowledged the sponsors, who are now considered part of the Noosa family. After thanking the members, Seniors, Nippers and competitors for their commitment, he then announced the club’s most important statistics of all – the figures regarding the club’s performance in all areas of lifesaving.
These figures revealed that the members had performed a total of 17,680 volunteer patrol hours, 2320 preventative actions, 39 rescues and attended 235 first aid cases. And of course the governing factor – no lives lost while members on patrol.
Regarding the presentation of awards, in the surf sports category, Jordan Mercer was named competitor of the year, Kirsty Higgison and Grace Kaihau coaches award for achievements, and Cooper Williams for his achievements and leadership while performing his duties as captain of the Sunshine Coast representative team.
In the boat section the Under 23 crew was acknowledged when, for only the second time since 1949, Noosa won a medal (silver) in the finals at the National Titles; Blair Townsend received the Marjan Strajnar Memorial trophy, rower of the year.
Director of Surf Sports, Peter French, then gave thanks to the 12 members who worked as judges and officials at all carnivals. Noosa’s contribution in this area of competition at both State and National level was outstanding.
Next was the vote of thanks to team manager Bruce Warren and his team of assistants. This is sometimes a thankless job. Every aspect of the carnival programs have to be checked and double checked. During the course of the day particularly in big surf conditions, times and sometimes locations will change, and team managers will be suddenly called to urgent meetings at various parts of the competition area. From sun-up to sun-down, it’s all go.
In the area of surf lifesaving, which contains the four major awards of the season, the results were indeed very gratifying.
Best Patrols – Patrol 10 (Don McKill Capt) and Patrol 9 (Jon Gemmell Capt); Clubperson of the Year Steve Freckelton; Patrol Captain of the Year Trevor Lansdown; and most prestigious award of all – the Lobban Cup, Chris Grandemange.
The naming of Chris as recipient of this award was well received. So prestigious is this that if there is no truly outstanding nomination, it is not awarded. This has happened on several occasions.
Also this year the best Patrol Captain received for the first time the Dave O’Donnell
Perpetual Memorial Trophy. Dedicated to the memory of the late Dave O’Donnell, a former club captain, it was presented by his wife Debbie.
There were many other outstanding achievements too numerous to mention. To those and the people responsible for organising this most enjoyable evening, well done to all.
Once again Noosa’s Main Beach had a busy Sunday, this time hosting the World Swim Events.
With a program consisting of short endurance swims from 1km to 5 water safety was once again provided by our local surf clubs, with Sunshine Beach providing 15 board paddlers and Noosa 3 IRB teams. For them their day started at 5am and finished at noon. Many thanks to all.
