Ron Lane
The Tewantin Noosa Lions advertising and marketing representative, Michael Roach jokingly referred to the project, as Noosa’s New Highway. But when you stop and think, it is in fact quite appropriate. It is in Noosa, it is definitely new, and the traffic at times is similar to that on a highway.
We refer, of course, to the matting that now runs from the steps in front of the Noosa Heads Surf Club to the end of the wide soft sandy beach. If those who handle such matters were to give an award for Noosa’s Project of the Year, this would have to be it. This matting that is relatively easy to lay and easy to role up and shift if threatened by big surf, is a god send to not only those in wheel chairs but also the young mothers with a child in a pram. Add to this those who on achieving old age find that those old football knees are not what they should be.
This idea first came into being back in 2015, when the founding members of the Noosa Seahorse Nippers Steve Mawby, and wife Nikki, became fully aware of the difficulties facing those whose movements are greatly restricted and difficult when moving across soft sand. However, their concern was not only for the nippers. It was also for everyone within our community whose disabilities prevented them enjoying what we take for granted: a day at the beach with the family and kids.
It is sad but true that when someone suddenly comes out of left field with a new concept, they will on the majority of times, hit more brick wall then that which exists in the great wall of China. Reflecting on those times Mawby remarked: “I must be honest, it was very discouraging; some just were not interested and others just passed it on. But most disappointing was the fact that some I took for granted would jump at the chance of being involved, turned their back and walked: and this was very disheartening.” But the experience that the Mawbys had gained through the years, plus the support of their volunteer workers, gave them the heart and determination to continue.
Then in November of 2021 the Noosa Tewantin Lions received a call from the Noosa Shire council. They had decided to become involved and approached the Lions as to their possibility of assisting in the financial aspect. After some discussion they agreed and Advertising and Marketing member Michael Roach, put his hand up to take the responsibility of conducting a thorough research. “I must be honest, some of the information I gathered really came as a total shock: however, it left me in no doubt that here was a project in which our Lions Club should give our total support. A major source for my inquiries, were the various schools within our community. As a result of this I was able to make contact with many young mothers who were raising children in need of assistance.
To say that I was shocked with results of my research would have to be an understatement. I found that within our community, there were some 300 children in wheel chairs.” On hearing these figures, I sat stunned and silent. Noting my reaction, he repeated the figures and said, “Go ahead and print it, because it is true: and remember, some of these children are members of your Seahorse Nipper club.”
On revealing these figures and other information to the Lions board of directors, the vote to assist was a mere formality: a sum of several thousand dollars was agreed upon. It was then that he also drew my attention to something that we again, just take for granted. That was the three parking bays that the council have allocated in the carpark next to the walkway that leads to the beach. “Those three carparks that lead to the walkway, plus the beach mats now make it so much easier for those in need of help to gain access to the beach: not only to the beach but also to a way of life that up till now was beyond their dreams.”
At this stage our mayor Clare Stewart, councillor Amelia Lorentson and the shire council were involved and very supportive. So too was our local member Sandy Bolton. The work of these people performed at both local and state government level, should be acknowledged and applauded. Then on the 19 April 2022, with the matts laid, Noosa’s’ new highway, was officially opened to the public. For Steve and Nikki Mawby their dream from years ago had become a reality.
“These new beach matts are absolutely fantastic. They are a key part to the many steps available to us to make our patrolled beaches and surf club more inclusive and more accessible to people of all abilities.” As to the success of the matts senior Noosa lifeguard Adam McKane said, “They are in constant use. They are a great success not only for the people in wheel chairs but also for families with prams and little children. Also, in times of big sea warnings they are easy to disconnect and relay, when the trouble has passed.”
For Lion Michael Roach and his colleagues, it has indeed been very gratifying. “On the official day,” said Michael, “a mother ran up to me threw her arms around my neck kissed me on the cheek and said, Thank you. You people have given my little boy a chance to another lifestyle he never thought he would have. To all of us in Lions that said it all.”
It was then that I began to ask myself, who is this Lion who has dared, as the result of his research, to open the pandoras box and drawn our attention to the restricted existence of those who live life in a wheelchair? Born in Adelaide ( great AFL country ) and educated at Pulteney Grammar, his chosen field of work saw him spend 45 years of his life in public service. On retirement, along with wife Jay and son he shifted to Noosa.
Once settled he decided to join Lions. “I joined because I liked what they were doing, very supportive of community projects: also, it gave me the opportunity to meet people. It is an organisation that has been serving the community for some 55 years. Through our sausage sizzles, plus our three food vans which we work at various functions, we have over the years raised in the vicinity of $4-5 million. We have also been involved in the building of the Meals on Wheels facility and the public stage in the park on the river bank. Another major has been the food for stock in time of floods, droughts and bush fires. The major branch involved in such matters is Disaster Management and Support”
And for Michael he wants those interested in joining Tewantin Noosa Lions to know that their door is always open. For those wishing to serve their community, to walk through their doors is definitely the way to go. To all people involved in this humanitarian project, we are proud to say, you are indeed Our People.
