By RON LANE
ON SUNDAY morning, members of the Noosa Heads SLSC, gathered at the clubhouse for a full council meeting. A major part of the agenda was the election of the Surf Sports director. Like other positions in the club, this is one where the successful applicant is elected to office for a period of two seasons as opposed to the old system of one. On Sunday, Peter French was reelected to the office despite having expressed his intention to step aside. It is a tough job and with an ever increasing number of competitors, it gets bigger and tougher each season.
With the Australian Titles coming to the Sunshine Coast in 2016, he will certainly be kept busy. We wish him well. Noosa’s move to take surf lifesaving into the schools is still going strong with Noosa officials having discussions with schools such as Churchie and Marist Brothers in Brisbane. School courses followed by Advanced Surf Education Programs is showing people that in the modern day surf club, not just Noosa, but lifesaving in general, now has more to offer our young people than ever before.
During the meeting NOBBS (Noosa Old Boys and Birds) chairman Ross Fisher tabled a report, stating that they had held a meeting and reunion for the members. This is really a step in the right direction as it consolidates not only the Old Boys but also the Life Member Group and with their experience in all aspects of lifesaving they can be of great help to the club.
It is also beneficial to the new junior members for it gives them the opportunity to meet and learn something of the club’s past history from people who were involved. It is this type of friendship that can really consolidate the club and insert a feeling of pride.
No major incidents were reported from our three clubs Peregian Sunshine and Noosa. Big crowds on Noosa’s Main Beach with many coming from the other open beaches after being subjected to some heavy winds.
The eagerly awaited renovations of the clubhouse facilities for the Sunshine Beach clubbies are near complete. This will be a massive improvement to their facilities and will be a great moral builder for all members.
The Nippers have completed their competition and pool swims and now raring to go for the new season. A further 15 members are in training for their bronze, and this will be a big help to the patrol roster. Another 20 little people are about to start their training for their Surf Rescue Certificate.
Last weekend, Noosa head coach Darren Mercer took a team south to Yamba in Northern NSW to compete in the Jacob Lollback Memorial Paddle. Happy to relate the results were good.
Continuing her outstanding success in Hawaii, Jordan Mercer took the gold in the Open Womens 4km Paddle and Ironman Jack Moyes won silver in the Men’s Open 4km. In the young guns, Cooper Williams also went well to win the silver medal in the Under-15 Male 2km Paddle. Last season young Cooper showed outstanding promise for the years ahead, and this performance indicates that there is yet another big season coming up. Certainly a young man to watch.
Hats off to Noosa’s Martha Kneale. Recently, she took part in a charity 12km endurance swim from Majimba to Mooloolaba Beach, a fund-raiser for the Sunshine Special Schools.
Her support team for the swim was Steve Mawby on ski and her very proud dad Jim, in the duty boat. “It was a hard swim, the first time that I have done that distance, but all went well. I would like to thank all the people who supported me.” The $1000 entry fee was raised by club functions with the fee going to the schools.
