Dear Members

Welcome to another fantastic season along one of the best beaches in the country. Some say the best place to witness the ‘green flash’ on a balmy afternoon after a vigorous day on the beach saving lives or just looking fantastic in that new ‘cosi’.

To our new members welcome, I trust your experience will be positive and rewarding.

Surf lifesaving is an Australian tradition and an international icon and for that matter the decision to join an organisation such as this can be viewed as a lifestyle choice.

The life of the beach presents itself in many ways to each individual member. It’s an opportunity to watch your children grow and understand respect for the Ocean. It can be place that represents a healthy change and make a commitment to a community service. It can be as simple as the place that provides the reward of gazing out across the Indian Ocean and leaving behind the hectic week that was.

Each month as the season evolves the club takes another step and ultimately culminates in the relevant sporting finales of the State and Australian Surf Lifesaving titles. The unique fact about our club is that our junior and senior members come together on Sunday mornings to demonstrate over a couple of hours the skills that it takes to be an Australian surf lifesaver.

The community watch the beach on any weekend with envy and for some the chance to play a role in this human montage is just too far away. Beneath this colourful picture is the engine room of creativity. This club is by contrast one of the biggest in the country, especially when we talk about junior and active members. The challenge for the Board of Management and the many committees and working groups is to keep the momentum throughout the season and hopefully provide the resources and the environment that will give our 1800 plus membership a season to remember.

To our volunteer patrolling members, the season may appear to have come around all too quick but I must say that the local community views you for what you are ‘lifesavers’. The commitment to community service is something to be extremely proud especially in a world of time constraints and a work cycle that appears to be ruling our lives. I do believe that when families appear together on patrol and share the experience then I can safely say that there would not be many other organisations that can promote this unique quality.

This season is going to be extremely busy, both on and off the beach. Our population will demand a degree of patience and respect as we move about our business. I would encourage members to participate where you are able. Social members can volunteer just as our lifesavers volunteer on the beach. There will be a few changes occurring throughout the year, this is mainly a strategy to assist with accommodating the growing membership up in the clubrooms.

In March 2010 the club will be attending the Australian Surf Lifesaving titles in Kurrawa, Queensland. This will be an exciting time of year so I can only encourage members to get on board. Please get behind any fundraising activities that will make the trip so much more rewarding.

Finally to everyone who volunteers their time this season, Thankyou.

Take care

Mark Hills
President