By Ron Lane
Well it’s that time of the year again when lovers of a good wave – accompanied by a week of renewed friendship and festivities – merge on Noosa hoping for the type of wave that our surfing guru, Phil Jarratt, so famously promotes as having, A Cup of Tea with God.
To Phil and all his team, we in the lifesaving movement wish the Noosa Festival of Surfing (4-11 March) all the very best. Our support is yours for the asking.
On Saturday, fourteen Life Members of Noosa Heads SLSC gathered for their all-important annual discussion group and luncheon, held at the Surf Club and chaired by President and Life Member Ross Fisher with senior club Vice President Rob Harney as a guest.
The members were addressed on all aspects of the club’s situation and activities and plans for the year ahead.
There were several things on the agenda that were of significance.
First was the report regarding the progress of the Peregian project and all aspects were of a positive nature. Also it was bought to notice that this year the Noosa Nippers will celebrate their 50th anniversary and functions are already being discussed.
Another group who this year will also be acknowledged for their arrival 50 years ago, was a large group of country lads known as the Murgon Mob. These, some 20 in number, played a major role in keeping the club afloat because at that time the club was suffering from a major lack of members.
In 2003 the club launched their history book entitled Bush to Beach.
This document, written by Robert Longhurst and organised by Kerry (Pencil) Sorensen, was well received.
Now fourteen years on, it has been agreed that a group be formed to research all aspects of the club with the goal of writing the next chapter that will see the book bought up to date.
Regarding the refurbishment of the Supporters Club, Chairman Ian Young, OAM, tabled a full report and this was followed by a statement from finance officer Wally Schaller.
At the completion of the meeting, members assembled for a group photo then all adjourned to the restaurant where they were joined by wives and friends for a luncheon provided as a gesture by the senior club.
For the first time in many years, the Noosa Life Members have consolidated and with their vast experiences in all aspects of surf club life, their presence can only be helpful in the years ahead.
A week ago we wrote of the life and times of the lifesaving teams known as the Waverunners.
These jetski rescue teams cover the Sunshine Coast and are on a 24-hour call-out roster.
When needed, they are backed by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crews; another very highly trained team that we also tend to take for granted.
This week we acknowledge such men; crewmen such as Chris Lander, Ben McCauley and Brett Dorrington.
Your presence, your courage and dedication is, amongst veteran clubbies, something that we both cherish and respect.
Last weekend the Queensland Youth (Nippers) Championships were held at Hervey Bay and officials and parents were all impressed by the way the carnival was run.
With 45 clubs in attendance the competition was sure to be of high standard.
The final tally was 1 – Maroochydore, 2 – Alexander Headlands and 3 Northcliffe.
Maroochydore’s win has created something of a record as it was the third time in a row that they have won the title; the first time ever that a club has achieved such results.
Well done to the Black Swans – definitely something to be proud of.
So close was the competition that only three points separated the two top teams.
Our two local clubs performed well with Sunshine finishing fifth and Noosa seventh.
Well done to all.
