By Ron Lane
This Friday 27 October, the Noosa Nippers known as the Noosa Heads Junior Activities (now a branch of the official National body, Junior Activities) will celebrate their 50-year anniversary, the club having formed in 1967.
These celebrations will be held on Noosa’s Main Beach with a twilight Nippers session from 4pm-5pm followed by the unveiling of the Honour Board.
After this, the annual Duck Race and barbecue will be held and the club is hoping that all involved will join in and make it a day to remember. Celebrate and acknowledge the history, achievements and dedication of those who worked to make the Noosa Nippers a reality.
For the club, the initial discussions started in the 1965/66 season and the club was founded in 1967.
According to the club history, Bob Kneale was principally involved with the formation and others on record were George Salter, Keith and Lola McDonald, Des Hempsell, Heather Murphy, Ron Gower, Ron and Norm Birrell, John Peach and S and D Devantia.
Not having an official name or training manual, Kneale decided to use the USA Lifeguard principal of teaching all aspects of beach work but limited water training.
The naming of the club was interesting.
“As the new Noosa Senior Club emblem was the sea horse,” said Kneale, “and young horses were often referred to as colts, we decided to call our young people the Sea Colts. As a result, in 1967 the Sea Colts emblem was on our first official flag, Noosa Heads Sea Colts.”
The first people to take major positions were Patron H. Franks, President J Greer, Secretary K McDonald and Treasurer G Salter.
Down through the years there have many people who have made outstanding contributions to this great club, simply too many to name; administrators, age managers, the mums and dads who literally drove their little ones to the ends of the Earth, thus enabling them to enjoy the life as a little Noosa Nipper.
With regard to competition, it is a proud part of the Nipper history that the first member of the senior club ever to win a gold medal at the Australian Championships in a water event, came through the ranks of the Noosa Nippers. The former Nipper then competing as a cadet in the senior club was Clint Irwin, and he won gold in the board race at North Wollongong.
“I always remember it,” he said with a laugh. “It was a rainy day with choppy conditions and it suited me down to the ground.”
Current chairperson Sam Smith said, “I am looking forward to having past presidents at the function to help us celebrate this great occasion and thank them for their years of service.”
“On behalf of not only the senior club but also the community at large we thank all involved through the years for their outstanding contribution.
Another landmark occasion for the Noosa club was on 20 October this year. On this day Noosa veteran member Steve Mawby – who along with his wife Nikki and friend Lorna plus a support team were responsible for the formation of the Noosa Seahorse Nippers (an organisation dedicated to helping children with special needs) – was the proud recipient of the QBank Everyday Heroes Award. This award, which covers the ‘“Ownership Category’’ was presented in Brisbane at an official function attended by dignitaries. To Steve and his team an award well earned.
At Tullebudgera on Saturday, the surf boat fraternity gathered to bid a boaties’ fairwell to boating legend Ronnie Davidson.
Little Davo as he was affectionately known, was a gentleman and highly respected official. We convey to his family our utmost respect.
The boat carnival that followed had good results for Noosa.
Boat sweep David Tomba said “Our Masters crew – the Condors – won on Saturday and again on Sunday and Boys Under 19 novice performed well to finish fourth on both days.
The Girls also did well to finish third and fourth – Saturday being the normal carnival course and Sunday the short course events.
