By RON LANE
THE meeting held at 10am on Sunday, 21 September, at the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club will indeed go down in the club’s 86-year history, as one of the most important ever.
For it was on this occasion that the 42 members in attendance voted unanimously to bring the Peregian Surf Life Saving Club, including their nippers, on board as part of their club structure (Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club).
To take a step such as this is indeed a massive obligation, but we can relate with pride there was not the slightest hesitation from Noosa in doing so.
On the agenda for this special general meeting, motions to amend the constitution read in part; Proposed constitutional changes to incorporate members of the dissolved Peregian Surf Life Saving Club, and further on; that the club council endorse the amendments as documented in the notice of motion. The discussion regarding these changes, which were of the utmost importance, was responsible and positive.
These amendments to the constitution were passed unanimously and in his opening address to the meeting, chairman Gerard O’Brien Deputy President of Noosa emphasised, “…the importance of the discussions that lay ahead.
“We as lifesavers have a responsibilities to acknowledge the situation and act accordantly.”
In his remarks club captain Joe Cirillo said, “I believe we should take it (the responsibility) on because this is what we do, we are life savers.
“Also remember in doing this we will have the full support of both our branch and Queensland State Center.”
At management level it was also confirmed that Peregian would have three directors as proposed, one for club management one for lifesaving and the third for nippers.
One of the key issues discussed was the patrol obligations and this subject was handled by Cirillo.
“At present Peregian will supply six full-strength patrols and with our program and the support of Brisbane and Redcliffe the responsibility of beach safety is fully covered. All of this will come under a separate patrol agreement. Also as part of our obligations we will be assisting in a membership drive for Peregian, and we would encourage any old members still in the area to think of returning to their club.”
“Regarding the nippers both clubs will work in conjunction,” chairman of Noosa Nippers Dave Glassock said.
“There will be a lot of decisions to make in the next few weeks… we will be conducting proficiencies, formulating programs as well as conducting water safety training programs for parents and new members.
“For Peregian their nippers will start on 12 October, one week after Noosa.”
All indications are that with training programs, clubhouse updates, membership drives and business administration to be investigated and restructured – bringing Peregian back to full strength – a period of some four to five seasons is to be expected.
