By Ron Lane
In what can only be described as one of the best reunions ever in the history of the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, some one hundred members gathered to celebrate the fifty years since the Murgon Wondai invasion.
It wasn’t just those who invaded that attended, but oldies from Brisbane and Noosa; they also turned up to make it an occasion to remember.
One of the highlights was the attendance of the sons and daughters of the past clubbies who until “Sensational Saturday,” had never met their dads’ old mates.
In his welcome to the members, President Ross Fisher explained the importance of that period, in the history of the club. He then made special note of the outstanding effort of Kerry “Pencil” Sorensen to make the reunion such an outstanding success.
The casual joking by many that Noosa was in very big trouble regarding membership, and had been saved by the Murgan Mob was a indeed a fact of life.
When one considers the distance and time (three hours each way) that these volunteer bushies spent in travelling to and fro each weekend to patrol Main Beach, their contribution to the Noosa community should never be forgotten.
Following the president, Liam – one of the originals in the Duggan brothers – spoke of what it meant to his brother Tom and him to drive three hours from the family cattle station in the South Burnett to do their patrols at Noosa Beach.
“The fact that we were doing something good for the district was good, but the memories and above all the mateship that was formed made it all worthwhile. It is something that we will have with us forever.”
A special moment in club history was noted, when the originator and designer of the club’s sporting badge, the now famous Seahorse emblem (now also used by the Seahorse Nippers) Russell Harrop, was introduced to the crowd.
It is interesting to note that the entire Brisbane-based Harrop family, had a big involvement with the club during the 1960s.
This was just another family who travelled hours each weekend, so that their sons – Russell and Greg – could fulfil their patrol obligations as lifesavers on an Australian beach.
The official part of the evening was followed by a presentation of slides which covered all aspects of club life during the years 1970-’80. All in all a fitting tribute to a great band of brothers – the bushies from the South Burnett.
It is sad but true that too many times the dedication of our volunteers is taken for granted and now with the growing trend to sue if something goes wrong during a rescue situation, it makes one ask the question – why volunteer? Oh by the way, they also pay to join.
The 2017/’18 season is fast approaching and the 25 members of the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) teams, drivers and crewies, travelled to Noosa’s North Shore to do their proficiencies.
With the day starting at 7am and going through till 11.30, the time spent assured that all aspects of their training and abilities were carefully scrutinised.
With the ever increasing demand on the courtesy patrolling of these teams (which covers an area from North Shore to Alexandria Bay) to ensure that a high standard of teamwork and discipline is ever present is of the utmost importance.
Over the hill our brothers in arms, Sunshine Beach, are also looking towards the next season.
That vital component of the future, the Nippers, will have their sign-on for next season on 3 and 10 September and their Sunday morning activities will commence 1 October. Plenty of notice – so please note.
