PEREGIAN Beach Surf Club’s India O’Connor will finally know if her year-long quest to be crowned Jupiters Summer Surf Girl for 2014 has paid off when final judging takes place this Saturday.
In a year of milestones for Surf Lifesaving Queensland’s (SLSQ) Jupiters Summer Surf Girl program, six Sunshine Coast residents made the journey to Gold Coast for the final rounds of judging.
India joined Brittany Neumann from Rainbow Beach, Michelle Jacobson from Mooloolaba, Nikita McDonald from Kawana Waters, Caitlin Knight from Dicky Beach and Karlee Bryant from Caloundra, along with 17 other entrants from across the state, for a week-long program of judging activities before the winners are named at the gala ball at Jupiters Casino, this Saturday.
The Jupiters Summer Surf Girl program is one of SLSQ’s largest and most enduring club-based fund-raising programs, this year making its 50th year, as well as the 20th year in partnership with Jupiters Casino.
India said being a part of the program was a dream come true.
“Being involved with Peregian’s previous Jupiters Summer Surf Girls always made me want to apply when I was old enough,” she said.
“Seeing my club, and the wider community, come together to help and support these women once again opened my eyes to what a fantastic place I live in.
“When reflecting on what my community and my club has given me over the years, I feel like it is my responsibility to give something back.
“I felt assured that, with the help of my school, peers, family, friends and fellow club mates, that I could make not only myself proud, but also all of those around me.”
SLSQ chief operating officer and judge George Hill applauded the efforts of the Jupiters Summer Surf Girl entrants and their contribution to the lifesaving movement.
“The dedication and commitment of this year’s Jupiters Summer Surf Girls is outstanding and I have no doubt their efforts will serve as an inspiration to all lifesavers across Queensland,” Mr Hill said.
“To think that close to $14 million has been raised for surf life saving clubs around the state since the program started in the 1960s is outstanding, and we can’t thank Jupiters Hotel and Casino enough for their continued and valued support.”
As a not-for-profit organisation, SLSQ and its affiliated surf clubs rely on the support of the public, and the six Sunshine Coast girls have assisted their clubs through outstanding fund-raising efforts.
