In the words of retiring Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving club president Craig Law: “This years’ Annual General meeting, was the best attended in many years, it went well with good debates on various matters and the election of officers ran smoothly.”
A good well attended meeting is usually a good indication for the season ahead.
For Craig it was the end of good and very successful career as an executive member of the club. Down through the years he has held many club positions at board level as a patrolling person and also as a board member at both branch and state level.
With Craig stepping aside, the election of his successor saw Johnny Gooderham elected to office and after the AGM, he acknowledged and congratulated Craig on being made a life member.
“This was a greatly deserved recognition.”
In a discussion regarding his eight years as president, he touched on some of the highlights.
‘’Things that really struct home were seeing the appointment of our first ever Life Governor Ross Bartlett and the appointment of four Life members; also, the massive amounts of awards won in lifesaving and surf sports at both state and national level. One thing in particular, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our sponsors and supporter club people: their role in our club life is of the utmost importance. But as in every surf club, the biggest thank you must go to our patrol members; they are our backbone and our nippers are our future.”
Speaking of his future, Craig said he would like to continue his work in the Sunshine Coast Branch and State Centre and would be willing to serve in an ambassador type role, helping to promote lifesaving.
Another member to step aside from his position was Scott Summers, Director of Surf Lifesaving (club captain).This member who for seven years kept Sunshine Beach fatality free, will hand over to John Rees. “Scott was a man for the times, one you could always depend on, a very good member, one of the best,” said Craig Law, his former Club President.
Other positions to be acknowledged were Mel Butcher as Deputy President, Hamish Robertson who will partner Yvette McKinley as Director of Finance. Chris Price Director of Surf Sports, will continue in office, as will Riley Mitchell Director of Youth and Cadets and Lyn Twigger Director of Administration. This season Sophie Olver will be Director of Junior Activities.
Regarding the Supporter club, Johnny Godderham was voted to retain his position as vice President. Life member, Peter Brewer is Treasurer: Natalie McMaster a new member was appointed to committee. Both John and Peter had held positions on the new building project, under chairman Life Member Warick Redwood.
To retirees, President Craig Law and Club Captain Scott Summers, we thank them for their years of service to the community and wish them all the best in the future.
Because of the present health restrictions, the Noosa Head Surf Club decided to reduce their Annual Dinner and Presentation of Trophies, to just a Presentation of Trophies. This was preceded by a gathering of some fourteen life members at which Club President Ross Fisher bought them up to date regarding our on- going support for the Peregian Surf Club.
The trophy ceremony was well attended with honoured guests Dawn Fraser AC, MBE, and Mayor Clare Stewart in attendance. In his welcome speech Club President Ross Fisher acknowledged guests and members and thanked all for standing by during the present crises and Club Captain Roger Aspinall thanked the members for their loyalty and patrol work. In particular, he noted that during the season there had been four helicopter extractions, during which the performance of the patrolling members had been first class. He emphasised that members must take note as this is starting to become a common occurrence and that our work between the flags is now (being reduced) to a minor thing.
In the awards for patrolling efficiency the major ones were: Dave O’Donnell Memorial Trophy for Patrol Captains of the Year, Jack Frey and Lilly Tindal, Patrol of the Year( Noosa,) Patrol 8, Patrol of the Year (Peregian) Patrol 1: Most Patrol Hours, Rupert Anisimoff (Male) and Tilly Gilbert (Female): Senior Patrol Person of the Year, Rupert Anisimoff and Junior Tilley Gilbert, Rookie of the Year, Rowan Gamerno and the Dave Higgins Memorial Trophy for Club Person of the Year, went to Artemis Davison. Radio Operator of the Year was Peter (Big Pete) Williams.
“Achievements in the surf sports division were many,” said Director of Surf Sports Peter French, “and I congratulate them one and all :in particular the carnival officials for without them, there would be no carnivals: and also, our dedicated coaches. What follows are some of the many who achieved success.”
Most Outstanding Athlete, Lana Rogers, Most Improved Courtney Bryant, Team of the Year, Lilly Tindall and Lara Porter, Most Outstanding Juniors; Female, Tilly Giblet, Male Kai Thompson. Most Improved Surf Board Rider, Jen Pike and Boat Crew of the Year was; Rachel Paterson, Alexis Satlerly, Kate Tomba, Arty Davison and David Tomba.
Despite our health situation some athletes are on the move. All being well and health regulations permitting, the Noosa boat section will be holding surf boat try outs for those wishing to row. These will take place this Sunday August 9 at 8am at Noosa Main Beach .Not to be outdone Lana Rogers, Noosas winner of the Coolangatta Gold and Australia’s Nutri Grain Iron Woman Championship, is back on her full training program for this years’ Coolangatta Gold .We wish our boat crews and Lana all the best and let us not forget our Olympian, Kareena Lee, training and waiting for the Tokyo Olympics to become a reality.
