By RON LANE
“The time has come now to reflect on the 87th year of patrolling Noosa Heads’ beaches and to acknowledge a number of special achievements by some very special members.”
With these words Greg Cowie, president of the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, welcomed members, sponsors and invited guests to the annual dinner and presentation of awards for the 2014/15 season.
Acknowledging the presence of the club’s life members, the president made special mention of Lenore Grice who this year received the high honour of being inducted into Australia’s Surf Life Saving Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements in surf sports.
She becomes the first member to receive such an honour.
Speaking to a capacity crowd, Cowie went on to cover all aspects of what has been a very productive and successful year.
Among his opening remarks was his reference to Noosa’s “stepping in and offering our Peregian neighbour a helping up and preventing the inevitable closure.”
He went on to say “the key objective of providing lifesaving services on Peregian Beach was maintained to the benefit of the Peregian Beach community.”
With regard to the club house gear and equipment, all had been upgraded.
He then acknowledged “immediate past president Brett Leckie and his wife Liz and all the Peregian stalwarts who stayed the course and maintained their patrols”.
In closing his summary of the Peregian assist, Cowie thanked Queensland Surf Lifesaving, Sunshine Coast branch and all local clubs.
Among the many highlights were that Noosa had maintained its beach safety record, implementation of another radio beacon at the wilderness camp on North Shore.
He extended the club’s congratulations to the sub branch of Tewantin /Noosa RSL for a memorable centenary celebration of the country’s diggers, giving special mention to Paul and Robyn Jenkinson, Donald McKill and all their support team.
Other achievements spoken of was Noosa taking part in and sponsoring the establishment of Noosa Headland and coastal strip as a national surfing reserve.
“This initiative sees our pristine local coastline protected for future generations to come.”
He referred to the continued success of the Seahorse Nippers, the great results of Noosa’s competition teams, and the very progressive surf awareness courses which have seen some 5000 visitations.
Bronze programs being conducted in six high schools also added to the fact that the club had a very busy season.
All members involved in these different achievements will be personally acknowledged by Cowie in his annual report.
The arrival of very influential people at the club was also noted, the first being His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland.
Also serving in his capacity as patron of Surf Life Saving Queensland the Governor “came to meet with the people of the Seahorse Nipper program and gain firsthand knowledge of the work being done”.
And, later on, “just recently we played host to the Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Trust when the Prime Minister launched the Federal Government’s grants program for Australian Surf Lifesaving Clubs at Noosa Heads.”
The visit by these people gives a good indication as to respect in which the club is now held and the members should be congratulated for their work and dedication.
The work done by the management committee of the senior club and the results achieved by the support group the Surf Club was also recognised.
The great work of Noosa club captain Ian Widdicombe and Peregian Patrol captain of the year Liz Leckie was indeed responsible for maintaining a high standard of beach safety at Noosa and Peregian.
In closing his address, the president said: “I thank you all for the support and encouragement you have shown me personally and certainly look forward to next year’s challenge.’’
This was followed by the presentation of awards.
Possibly the most well received was the naming of Donald McKill as the Club Person of the Year.
His attitude to patrolling and club duties plus his efforts in promoting the Noosa Club within the community have indeed been outstanding.
Other major awards for the year were:
Patrol Captain: Craig Moore.
Patrol of the Year, Patrol 10, and radio operator: Ken Edwards.
Male Cadet of the Year: Harry Glassock.
Female Cadet of the Year: Emily Lansdown.
In surf sports:
Male Competitor of the Year: Rhys Burrows.
Female Competitor of the Year: Jordan Mercer.
