By Ron Lane
This week in the lifesaving movement, we will be saying a sad farewell to one of our Sunshine Beach clubbies: a clubbie who has in his time become something of a legend. His dedication and loyalty have already earned Bill Twigger the coverted award of Life Member of Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club: an award that has been well and truly earned. His overall attitude and work for lifesaving in general (and not just his own club), has also resulted in the awarded Life Membership of the Sunshine Coast Surf Life Saving.
In an organisation where club loyalty, team work and mateship are of the utmost importance, this softly spoken man stands with the best. For Bill his career started some 44 years ago at Eloura Beach SLSC in Sydney, when in 1976 he joined the club obtaining his bronze in 1977. “As soon as I obtained my bronze, I became involved in the IRB crews and because I was so small, they kept using me as the patient for a lot of training exercises. However, I loved the IRBs, stayed involved and became heavily involved in the IRB racing. By the time I was in my mid 20s our crews were at Gold Medal standard.”
It was twenty- five years ago that Bill moved to Noosa with his family and immediately joined the Sunshine Beach club. For the Twiggers, lifesaving was to became a family affair with wife Lyn ( who obtained her bronze at age 40 ) and three daughters all becoming patrolling members.
“Down through the years I have held every position in the club except secretary and treasurer. I ducked those positions,” he said with a laugh, “because I hated all the writing that went with being a secretary and I hated doing figures so I avoided treasurer. Because I enjoyed training, I worked with bronze squads and also training of IRB crews: when lifesaving started racing the IRBs, I represented Sunshine.”
Because of his love for working with sea craft, Bill joined the Jet Boat Rescue Service and spent twelve happy years in that branch of lifesaving. When you are a team member of those emergency response groups you can be called out at all hours of the night. When discussing those times, I asked if there was any special occasion that came to mind?
“Yes, there was an incident where a boat with two men on board was well over due. We received the call at about 11.30pm. and by the time we launched it was midnight. We went through the Noosa Bar and it was pitch black; we could not see or hear a thing. Once we finished search patterns, we cut the engine, let the boat drift and in the complete silence and darkness, we started calling the names of the men: it gave us a real eerie feeling. After a while, we got a response from one who we found clinging to the nose of their upturned boat and later, found his mate some distance away clinging to a large plastic bottle. This was approximately 2am and we were just out from Teewah. They were two very lucky men.”
Another incident that came to mind was his part in assisting a man who had suffered a massive heart attack while sitting on the beach, just looking out to sea: right behind where Bill’s patrol was standing. “We worked on him and with the support team, were able to pull him through: that was a couple of seasons ago and I still see him occasionally. He always stops for a chat: it is one of those things that leaves you with a good feeling.”
When asked why retire from something to which he was so dedicated and involved , his response was very honest. “Like you said, I love the business and I am happy with what I have achieved. I have great respect for our organisation and I love digging into our history: however, I just feel that it is time to go. Great moral amongst our Patrol Captains, the best you could work with. So, all’s well and I am happy to walk away. And to all my mates, thanks for the memories.”
A man whose contribution to the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club and lifesaving in general should I feel, never be forgotten
Finally, the world of surf lifesaving competition is starting to once more gain momentum. On Saturday at Alexandra Headlands surf clubs from the Gold and Sunshine coast gathered to contest the surf carnival known as the Unbreakable. This carnival proudly sponsored by Sunshine Toyota, received great support. And for the Noosa Club it started with a bang.
Representing Noosa was Lana Rogers (last years winner of the National Nutri Grain Iron Woman championship and the Coolangatta Gold) and for the women, the major event was the u/19 and opens, Alex Unbreakable. “It was similar to last year’s Coolangatta Gold,” said coach /mentor Sharlene Kelly. “The course was held over a distance of 16 km and consisted of a ski leg, board,swim and run. For Lana it was ideal: when she stood up after the swim and started the run it was virtually all over. Her win was outstanding very strong and smart (reference to her ability to pace herself).”
When asked what she thought was Lana big improvement on last year’s performance, coach Kelly replied, “Her body surfing. The wave she picked up in her swim section was really good, something to see: she held it right to the beach: a great improvement.” Regarding this Lana agreed with coach Kelly. “Yes, that’s right : after that wave it has made much more confidant with my ability to pick up and hold the wave: this could be a major factor in winning the big races.”
With such an overall performance, this happy dedicated and positive young Noosa lady, has thrown down the gauntlet to all concerned for the season ahead.
This Friday, Noosa boat section will travel to Bundaberg to contest the first boat carnival since February. As this will be the first round of the prestigious Queensland Cup, Noosa will take a total of 12 crews: this will consist of a mixture of veteran rowers and rookies. Boat sweep /coach, Dave Tomba said, “Amongst our team there will be, in the u/19 division, 3 female and 1 male crew, 3 u/23 female, 2 female reserve crews and 1 open female. The female crews are coming on strong, but we could do with a few more young men. Bargara Beach can often be a flat surf so it will definitely be a good test as to the fitness of our crews.”
Boat Captain Anthony Fox said, “We have been preparing for this and we are hoping for a very strong season. On behalf of our boat section and our club in general, I would like to thank our major sponsors for standing by us during these tough times. R & W Coolum and Noosa, Habitat Early Learning Centres and Solo Hart Sunshine Coast: their support has been outstanding.”
