By RON LANE
COOLUM Beach SLSC played host on Saturday to what could be rated as one of the most important meetings of the year for our surf clubs on the Sunshine Coast.
With all surf clubs from Rainbow Beach to Bribie Island represented, plus local bowls clubs, and other sporting clubs from regions such as the Tin Can Bay and Hervey Bay, the occasion, listed as “Breakfast with Peter Newell OAM,” should indeed be looked upon as being very successful.
The purpose of the breakfast was to enable representatives to be become fully aware of corporate governance and its importance to the clubs. Guest speaker Peter Newell is chairman of Clubs NSW, as well as a director of the NSW Institute of Sport.
In October 2007, Peter was elected chairman of Clubs Australia, the club industry national representative body.
Among the many points stressed by Peter were that we should not hesitate to spread the word on the good work of our clubs, what happens when correct protocols are not in place, and also being open minded regarding the appointment of women on club boards.
Regarding board members, he spoke on the importance of correct attitude to business, commitment, and personal behavior. With so many of our clubs now moving into the world of big business, the opportunity to be involved in discussions with men such as Peter Newell is of the utmost importance.
We should always remember that the role played by clubs within our communities, in particular those involved with our youth is – and always will be – vital.
The role of the supporter clubs in life saving is now more important than ever. The cost of keeping patrols on the beaches, supplying them with state-of-the-art equipment and paying the big one, insurance, is ever increasing.
Add to this the finance required to run the competition teams, with their coaching, equipping and travel, in particular interstate, and it is easy to see the necessity.
Away from their life saving obligations there is also the opportunity to provide club facilities and staff to assist in the raising of funds in times of local crisis – for example the bush fire appeals. Many thousands of dollars were raised by our clubs during this project.
Early Sunday morning the Noosa under-23 boat crew picked to represent Queensland at the forthcoming Interstate Carnival, travelled to Brisbane, to attend an official function at which they were presented with their team uniforms.
Boat captain and sweep David Tomba said: “For our team, it was their first state uniform so they were stoked. We know we have a big job ahead of us because Queensland boat crews have not won the overall boat section for some years. Last year we came second but this year we will really give it all we have. Apart from winning for Queensland it would be great for Noosa.”
“It’s definitely been money well spent,” Sunshine Beach club Craig Law said.
We were standing in the recently completed renovations to the downstairs section of the clubhouse which is mainly designed as the domain for the active club.
“The bulk of the finance required came via a $150,000 grant through the Department of Sport and Recreation, plus funds from our club. We redesigned the courtyard some time ago and now have completed the renovations on the lounge kitchen area, plus the gym and facilities for the male and female members.
The work, which was carried out by Andrews Construction from Sunrise, has really given the patrolling members a place of their own; and so in the words of one old clubbie, “If the club looks after the members the members will look after their club”. Definitely a step in the right direction.
