This last weekend we have well and truly started on the journey towards summer. The AFL Grand Final event at the club was well attended by members and a great atmosphere ensued, especially when the winning goal was kicked. Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who helped set up, serve drinks, and then clear up at the end of the game, it was very much appreciated.
The same day, our patrolling season started but Wiamea was reduced to a surveillance patrol due to the weather. Sunday however was a very different day, with a well-attended Torquay patrol looking after the beach in glorious spring weather, it almost felt like summer! As we enter the new season, the final touches are being made to plans for the first Club day on 14 October. Winter sports have finished and the beach is looking great for a fun packed season…not long to go now.
Sandy Clarke is heading over to Sydney at the end of October to take part in the SLSA Awards of Excellence after taking out this year’s WA state crown for Volunteer and Official of the Year, so we wish her the best of luck in bringing the national awards home!
I had the privilege of being selected for and attending the Surf Life Saving Australia Leaders Masterclass recently in Adelaide, joining 19 other club leaders from around Australia. We were joined by the SLSA CEO, Adam Weir, and Vice President John Baker who gave their visions on the future direction of Surf Life Saving and also the challenges that we need to overcome. It was great to spend time with the group and amazing to see the similar challenges faced by clubs all across the country. I have taken away many ideas and thoughts from the weekend that I’ll be sharing these with the management team.
Our newly elected Board members have leapt straight to their roles and we have had several productive meetings to date. Our aim is to provide members with a regular summary of our plans as we progress through the season to ensure everyone is on the same page. The Executive Committee and Management team have been working extremely hard throughout the winter period to ensure everything is ready for the season ahead, supported by Karen and Jen in the office. Thank you all for your hard work!
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that our club is almost entirely run by volunteers for volunteers – without your help and dedication what we do wouldn’t be possible. Welcome to all of our new members, we’d love you to get involved so please reach out and offer your time where you can.
As a final thought heading into the new season, I’d like to highlight our club values which I challenge you all to reflect upon as you enjoy the club this year:
- Family – embrace family values and promote inclusion
- Safety – promote safety as a part of core activities
- Respect – respect and value all individuals and the club community
- Integrity – conduct of self and club affairs, according to the highest standards of ethics and behaviour
- Unity – to operate as a team including effective communication with, and involvement of, all of our stakeholders
- Excellence – strive for excellence in everything we do.
I look forward to seeing you all on the beach for the first Club day of the season very soon!
Alistair Cook
President