As trophies go it was rather large. A big silver cup mounted on a large wooden base with a small lion’s head on either side and small circular- handles hanging from the lion’s mouth. Embedded on each side of the wooden base were small silver discs, that through the years would have the winners name engraved. It was called the Lobin Cup. After all recommended guidelines, for its award were settled and accepted by the members of the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, it became without a doubt, the most sought- after award.
The nomination the award and the protocol for the presentation was to make it a Tradition in the history of the club.
“The trophy was donated by Peter and Fay Lobin for the most outstanding lifesaver of the year Senior or Junior.” Little did we realise that in January 1961, on accepting this magnificent trophy, we were creating something that was to become an absolute Tradition. When the final guidelines for nomination were drawn up and agreed upon, it became quite apparent that to win this trophy would leave no doubt that the reciperant for that year was indeed head and shoulders above all others.
‘”I want this to be a trophy that is held above all others-the most prestigious,” said Peter. Peter Lobin was an old boy of the Bondi club and a former member of the elite junior R&R squad. On arrival in Noosa with his wife and two small daughters, he became known to us after he was involved in a mass rescue at Main Beach. A major factor in the selection stated: “As some members are not interested in competing for the club, competition was not to be a part of the selection criteria. It was the members patrol efficiency, workload and attitude to both his club and in particular his clubmates, that was to take top priority: also, if there were no outstanding nominations it was not to be awarded for that season.”
This last factor was of the utmost importance and helped to make the Cup such a tradition. The first to receive the Lobin Cup was Graham Andrews of Gympie. The major factor was his part in the off-season rescue of a group of Asian students at Main Beach in big surf in 1962. It was in the words of one witness who was interviewed regarding the rescue, “One of the most outstanding things I ever saw: he was lucky to come out of it alive.”The cup was awarded, the standard was set and the tradition was born.
However, down through the years as often happens when clubs and memberships grow, traditions are forgotten then ignored. We in no way blame any particular person or group for the present situation, for we have all allowed this to happen.
But now on the insistence of many life members and long serving members, the cup has been reactivated and will be restored to its rightful position as ‘’the Lobin Cup, Noosa’s Award of the Year.” A protocol regarding the presentation of the award was drawn up and is in the hands of the management committee.
Another event that is slowly but surely becoming a Tradition in Noosa is the Annual Bay to Beach Shirley Straun, Bruce Warren Memorial Swim. This swim which was first instigated in 2002, starts in Little Cove and finishers at Noosa Main Beach, giving it a distance of 1.8km. Under the sponsorship of McDermott Aviation, this event was originally known as the Shirley Straun Memorial Swim, but following the untimely death of organiser Bruce Warren, senior member of the Noosa Club, his name as a sign of respect was added to the event and rightly so: not only for his outstanding contribution to this swim but also to the swimming standards of the bronze squads and general members of the Noosa Club.
This event came about following a Presidents Council conference held in Sydney in 2001. In the closing stage of the conference, we were informed in no uncertain fashion, that the standard of swimming in all clubs throughout Australia was slipping and would not, repeat, would not be tolerated. “In other words’ gentleman, get back to your clubs and fix it. And I mean now!”
On arriving home, I immediately met with the chief instructor and he agreed to act. But the big decision was, who would be experienced enough to undertake the task? Following our meeting, I stepped out of the office, into the breeze way and standing there in front of the club notice board, reading a memo, was the answer. And the name of the answer, was Bruce Warren.
Bruce a somewhat volatile character, had a good reputation as a swim coach of bronze squads and many a bronzy publicly thanked him for his help: or as one young bronzy told us, “For me it was simple -no Bruce no bronze.” However not only was our club mate Bruce renowned for his training of bronzies, but also being the first Australian to compete in the famous Alcatraz Swim in San Francisco USA.
Taking a deep breath, I approached him, “Bruce, I got a job for you.” Yeah, what’s that?” he asked. I explained it fully, including the kick in the but that we all got, (with this he totally agreed) and promised, that should he take the job he would have total support with no questions asked. Much to my relief, he agreed and as part of his swim program the Bay to Beach Annual Swim, (despite a break for a short time due to political interference),ably supported by wife Sandy, become a major yearly event. The main reason for his agreeance to accept the job, was revealed to me some weeks later: in his doing so, I found many of us were in total support with Bruce’s concern.
We were standing in the doorway to the gear shed and Bruce had his hand on the front of a new IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat), the craft that was now, a major vehicle in a lot of our rescue situations. “I feel that if we are not careful, our patrols will think they don’t to have to rely so much on their swimming and fitness, because they now have these bloody IRBs, and that’s all they need. But they are wrong, because there will always come a time when a patience is trapped on the rocks in National Park and the crewie will have to swim in, attach the rescue tube to the patience and then swim the patience back to the IRB.”
This attitude was totally in agreeance with our governing body the Sunshine Coast Branch. How right they were.
Just last season a crewie had to do exactly that, swim from an IRB to a person trapped on rocks in National Park: an extremely dangerous situation. Waves smashing onto the rocks, a patience on the verge of panic and a tough swim to get the patience to safety. On reading the Patrol captains report, regarding the rescue, I couldn’t help myself in thinking, how right you were Bruce, how right you were!
Unfortunately for us, Bruce passed away some four years ago. However, his efforts, strongly supported by wife Sandy, have proved successful and now these swims will continue, as more people step forward to assist.
Despite COVID-19, this year’s swim went ahead with a field of 39 swimmers taking part in near perfect conditions. First home in the ladies’ group in order of finish were: Grace Giblett, Courtney Bryant and Stephanie Jones and in the men’s, Zane Hadley, Tony Lamasery and Darren Mercer. Good to see Olympian Karina Lee and Olympic trialist Nick Sloman take part. They naturally blitzed the field but according to the club jester, they were disqualified : reason- swimming to fast. A fun day, but one of great importance. Another successful Bay to Beach Swim, due mainly to the major efforts of Sandy and her team of supporters.
It has been announced that on every second Sunday, a club surf swim will once again be held. This was yet again another club tradition that was allowed to lapse. But as a result of Bruce Warrens successful efforts, the importance of the swim , will once again become part of our way of life. This old tradition of the Sunday swims, can’t help but create a feeling of club spirit and bonding.
The building of a strong foundation for the swim came about following talks between Bruce and John McDermott of McDermott Aviation. John, at the time was looking for a way to commemorate the life of his friend, “Shirley” Strachan (former member of the Skyhooks Band).The swim, with John as sponsor became a reality. ‘’Not only,” said Bruce, “will it raise the swim standards of our clubbies, but it will do wonders to build self confidence in our young.” Something about which both Bruce and John felt very strongly.
It is a known fact, that when club traditions (regardless of the sport) are allowed to die, so too does discipline, pride and respect. Take a bow Bruce, Sandy and John, your efforts are now showing results. Also, the Life Members and Old Boys, supporters of the Lobin Cup.
