As I lay awake in the pre-dawn hours of Monday 31 July, I was finding it very hard to come to grips with a harsh reality of life – my clubmate and friend Garth Prowd OAM and club patron had passed away.
My only comfort was that I was not alone, for every long-serving old boy of our beloved Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club was going through the same emotion. Grief. It just didn’t seem real-or for that matter right, but it was a definite.
I first walked through the doors of the club in October 1957 and down through the years in both my capacity as a patrolling member and member of management, I have met many people from all walks of life: and on reflection I have no hesitation what so ever in agreeing with old boy Russell Harrop when he said, “Mate there was only one Garth Prowd, he was something special – he was unique”.
Down through the years we have seen many people come and go but he was always there. Sometimes in his later life his overseas business interests, as well as his sporting commitments would keep him from our doors, but he would always return.
After obtaining his bronze in the mid-’70s this former Gympie boy, served his time on the beach, as a patrolman and was always held in high regard by his clubmates – someone who didn’t say much but always got things done.
In the late ’70s when he and Sunshine Beach member Gordon Clements were appointed to work Noosa and Sunshine beaches by Noosa Shire, they were in fact the first lifesavers to be employed as paid lifeguards.
“His attitude and his leadership in the area of fitness had many of his clubmates pulling their hair out,” said one of the old boys. “If he wasn’t swimming he was on a board or ski; come on you blokes lets go. And of course we would follow; and he always led quietly from the front.”
However his biggest contribution to his club had to be in the business sector. This was right up his alley, for by the late ’80s many lifesaving clubs were taking a very serious look at the formation of supporter clubs.
Realising that the chook raffles were no longer sufficient to supply the necessary funding for a rescue organisation that was expanding beyond all expectations, he took a good look around and with assurance, based on his own success within the world of business (USM Events) and sponsorship gave some very serious advice – which happy to relate, we listened to and accepted.
The restructure of our management committee, rebuild of our clubhouse and above all becoming more involved in our community – our world would no longer be just between the flags on Noosa’s Main Beach.
With the passing years, his absolute commitment to the community never wavered. His work and loyalty for his surf club was just the tip of the iceberg. His tireless efforts to take the Noosa Tri to the very top plus his involvement with other organisations, is now legendary. Here again his relationship with people (sponsors, competitors and coaches in particular) was a telling point in reaching his goal.
However it was not just from our community that we saw the respect, but also from the elite of the international sporting world who came to visit; legends like Dawn Fraser, Mark Webber, Loretta Harrop and Steve Moneghetti – just to name a few.
His outstanding contribution to both sport and tourism and above all his respectful attitude to all who passed his way, resulted and rightly so, in his being the reciperant of many coveted awards; awards which we both acknowledge and salute.
In the world of business his seat on the Queensland Tourism Board speaks volumes. With the lifesaving movement now being a necessary part of tourism, to have Garth, with his support of surf club life, taking a chair was gratifying.
When asked by the serving Premier Campbell Newman, how he felt about taking the seat Garth replied, “Well Mr Premier, I am not the type of person who will tell politicians just what they want to hear.” “That Mr Prowd,” replied the Premier, “is exactly why you are here.”
To me Garth’s greatest achievement has to be his family; wife Robyn, daughters Sally, Megan and sons-in-law Matt and Ben. To all of you the doors of his surf club will be forever open and our help and support is, and will always be just a phone call away.
Vaya con Dios, my friend, Vaya con Dios.
