By RON LANE
THE Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving hosted its end-of-season Sponsors Breakfast on Friday 27 May. With some 66 people in attendance, it gave the club a golden opportunity to keep their sponsors abreast of the season’s activities.
Greeting the guests, sponsors chairman Ross Fisher emphasised the importance of the sponsors in the life of the club, noting that they were in fact “partners in our club family.”
For the official welcome, Ross called on acting president Peter Leek. After extending his sincere thanks for their outstanding contribution to the club, he then presented the beach statistics for the year.
Patrol hours totalled 17,500 with 239 rescues being performed and visitations were estimated at 370,000. With regard to competition, he said, the season had produced possibly the most successful period in the club’s history with the results from the National Titles in particular being outstanding. In his closing remarks, he again emphasised his thanks for the support and generosity of all present.
Perhaps, the highlight of the morning came when Ross called on the two junior captains for the forthcoming season, to come forward and be officially introduced. For the boys, it was Locky Younger and the girls it was Maggie Harmer. Both made special mention of their background in the club and left the guests with the feeling that here were two young lifesavers with the self-confidence to fully justify their appointment.
For Maggie, her appointment emphasised the ongoing family tradition within the Noosa club. Her father Tony had been a patrolman as well as medal winner at state level while competing for Noosa in the boat section.
This Saturday 4 June at 4pm, old boys of the Noosa club will once again be called upon to rally at their club for a social evening reunion. This type of function has become more important each year, for as the membership increases, it is absolutely imperative that the past history of the club be passed on to the new members. This is essential for it not only builds a strong support base, but also helps create pride within the club.
At this time of the year, there are important dates for our clubbies to note. The members of Sunshine Beach are being reminded that their annual meeting will be held on 19 June, and club president Craig Law is hoping for a full attendance. For Noosa their annual dinner and awards and presentation evening will be held on Friday 24 June.
For the majority of our competitors, the season is over. However, for Jordan Mercer, Noosa’s Iron Woman, one of the biggest events of the year the Molokai to Oahu World Paddle Championship held in Hawaii, is fast approaching. To say that this young lady has become something of a legend in this international event is correct, for she has won the title an incredible five times.
During the race, which will be held on 31 July, and conducted over a 55kl course, Jordan will be under the watchful eye of her coach and father Darren, himself an Australian Iron Man legend. “This will be her sixth race, it will be tough, but we are hoping all goes well,” he said.
This year there will be a new addition to her support team, 16-year-old Grace Kaihau. This young lady, a fast rising star in the Noosa competition team, was given a challenge by her parents. Win a medal at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships and they would shout a trip to Hawaii to support Jordan. Coming home with not one but three medals she won the challenge and will definitely take her place as part of the support team.
We wish Jordan, her family and supporters all the very best.
