By RON LANE
HALF past midnight on Sunday, members of the Noosa Wave Runner Rescue Team, (Emergency Response Group) Scott Summers (Sunshine Beach) Chris and Keaton Grandemange (Noosa) responded to a call to assist the Coast Guard with a craft that had run aground in the surf zone of the Noosa Bar.
On arrival they found a Coast Guard member had been injured when a tow rope broke and the crew was hit by the backlash. He was quickly conveyed to hospital, a new rope obtained, and while Summers assisted the Coast Guard the Grandemanges went to the Noosa Base to prepare another craft for stand-by, if needed. All worked out well and the crewman is making a
full recovery; another midnight rescue situation that had our local lifesavers and coast guard working together as a team. Well done to all!
On Sunday morning, with 120 members in attendance, the annual general
meeting and election of officers of the Noosa Heads S.L.S. C. were held. In the president’s report tabled and accepted by members, president Greg Cowie stated in part, “The report will showcase many noteworthy and memorable moments, that our members and the club have achieved as a proactive and effective club.”
Among the highlights mentioned and there were many, were several outstanding ones. Noosa again provided a safe bathing area at both Noosa Heads and Peregian; the club has continued to increase our patrolling services beyond the traditional flagged areas; surf awareness program
which catered for 25 schools, thus resulting in the education of over 4000 school children on surf safety.
Regarding surf sports, Noosa has climbed from 17th place to 8th in Australian rankings. Also the outstanding success of the Seahorse Nippers program and the ongoing success of the Junior Activities was noted.
Further to this, he expressed his thanks to the Supporter Club Committee management and staff. The important role played by our club sponsors was also noted and thanked. Above all the combined efforts of all sub-committees and their staff was gratefully acknowledged.
The election of major positions resulted in the following. Club president Ross Fisher; deputy president Rob Harney, director of finance Craig Moore, club captain Roger Aspinall, director of Peregian Brett Leckie and director of Junior Activities Sam Smith. We wish them well in the season ahead.
Following the election it was announced that Ian Young OAM, Life Member, had been appointed to the position of Life Governor, for his ongoing contribution to the Noosa Club; an honour well deserved.
Retiring club captain Ian Widdicombe, stepped down after four years in office plus two as vice-captain and eight years on the Life Saving Committee. His outstanding contribution was noted.
During general business, veteran Noosa member Ken Dinham was invited to address the meeting regarding his experiences in Vietnam. Ken along with fellow Australian David Field has for the last three years been working in Hoian, just outside Da Nang. His main job is to assist training lifeguards to obtain their SRC (Surf Rescue Certificate) and also work with nippers at Da
Nang and Hoian. Also while working with lifeguards they interview members who hopefully can be trained as teachers.
During his presentation, Ken thanked the Noosa club for their donation of 10 rescue boards and eight rescue tubes. “There is much to do,” said Ken.
“Just recently nine boys aged between 10 and 14 years were drowned in one tragedy in a nearby river and a couple of days later three young girls died in the surf. Of the many thousands of people who visit the beaches (and this is
usually from 5am till 8am then 4pm until sunset,) only about 5 per cent can swim. Many have now taken to wearing lifejackets.”
In the immediate area around where Ken and David work, it is nothing for between 1200 and 1500 adults and children to drown in rivers, creeks, dams and at beaches in a period of one year.
At the completion, newly elected president Ross Fisher congratulated all new office bears and wished all members the very best for the forth coming season.
