You don’t hear much about them. They are just a team of dedicated lifesavers who quietly go about their business: no drama no fuss. When they are called out, be it 1am in pouring rain or sun-up in flood times, their response is immediate. These are the clubbies of the Emergency Response Group.
Last weekend you saw them on the TV Noosa (and other places) flood reports. Activated by the police and SLSQ’s regional manager to assist with flood work over the weekend, the ERG team of eight members with three, 4WDs and four inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) were on stand-by.
Under the governance of Queensland Surf Life Saving and totally supported by the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, the teams according to a flyer released by Duty Officer David James, conducted back-up response to Queensland Fire and Emergency Service’s Water and Rescue Teams in the Lake Entrance Blvd area of Noosaville.
They also conducted welfare water and land patrols at Lake Weyba Drive and around Noosa Waters and Noosaville, together with welfare checks and surveillance on the Noosa River at Noosaville. All teams maintained a status of readiness throughout the weekend, assisting emergency services.
To become a member of the ERG team, the first requirement is, of course, to be a top driver or crewman with the experience and ability to handle all conditions, big surf, river conditions (massive flooding) and, above all, be familiar with all beaches, stretching from Noosa’s North Shore, Noosa Bar, West Beach, National Park and Alexandria Bay. Then comes the ability to handle night call outs, patrolling and search patterns, in the dark of night and pouring rain.
Membership of this group is usually by invitation. The senior veterans will watch some young member who has shown great skills as a driver on the beach patrol roster and has a love of big surf, and, above al,l is self- disciplined and has the ability to work as a team member or individual.
For the Noosa team, it started back in the 1991/9’2 season when a State Centre life guard Peter Whadcoat of the Noosa Heads SLSC came up with the idea. He formed his teams by taking crewies from the Jet Rescue Boat Service, experienced IRB crewmen and lifeguards and soon the concept was about to become a reality.
Another Noosa clubbie to play a major role in the early days was present day duty officer David James. It was David who, in the early days when crews were formed at Caloundra, Noosa and a centrally located beach, took the job as Sunshine Coast coordinator. In the very early days, the teams were known as the Emergency Surf Rescue teams. It wasn’t til some 10 years later that they became known as the Emergency Response Group, or ERGs.
But perhaps the biggest problem facing the formation of such rescue organisation was the acceptance of the Inflatable Rescue Boat.
When this craft first appeared on the scene old clubbies said, “No way this bloody rubber thing is not on: be no good in big surf.”
However, no one gave a thought to a slim built middle-aged clubbie from North Cronulla named Harry Brown.
Harry had total faith in this rubber boat and when North Cronulla was hit by a massive 12 ft surf, much to the amusement of the sceptics, Harry took the IRB out and forced his way through. Then on turning around for the run to the beach, while all clubbies were laughing and saying he’s going to get wiped out, it’s all over, not only did he reach dry sand, but also on the way back, was seen to hot dog down the front of the mountainous surf. It was all over. The IRB was accepted.
Not only was this craft accepted on Australian beaches, but also in the years ahead, countries such as Japan and Bali came on board. The result of all this saw Harry Brown moved up through the ranks of the lifesaving movement and appointed to the position of IRB Officer on the National Council, the governing body of Surf Life Saving Australia. Add to this, his club North Cronulla, extended the rare honour of naming an executive room, The Harry Brown Room.
While watching the weekend floods, and seeing a 93-year-old lady, being lifted into an IRB, I couldn’t help but think of that small clubbie who dared to dream. Your boats are everywhere mate, and they are still being used in the best way possible, the protection of human life.
For David James our local IRB duty officer, (affectionally known to his team mates as DJ) it will certainly be a season to remember. It was DJ who recently, while driving a jet rescue ski and mat on patrol in big surf, backed his craft on to the end section of the Noosa rock wall to rescue two teenage boys trapped amongst the rocks.
And now with our rivers in dangerous flood conditions, DJ along with his fellow team mates, have been on call for the duration of the floods. Definitely a team of quite achievers.
