Beyond the Flags ISSUE 10 Spring 2016 Surf Life Saving NSW Welcomes New President Members Honoured At Awards Of Excellence A Lifetime Of Memories As Crowdy Head Lifesaver Hangs Up Patrol Cap In The Eye Of The Storm; Coogee Club Rebuilds IRB Premiership Series Ends On A High Your local club is a proud supporter of Surf Life Saving NSW. Find a club near you. www.yourlocalclub.com.au Ad CNSW SLS-FPC 0816.indd 1 11/08/2016 3:46:15 PM WHAT’S COMING UP 15 OCT Welcome to the 10th edition of our quarterly members magazine Coolangatta Gold, Beyond The Flags. Gold Coast Firstly, I would like to thank all surf lifesavers for their efforts preparing for this season. Surf Life Saving NSW President, David Murray had the pleasure of raising the flags at Bronte Beach to 16 OCT celebrate the start of the 2016/17 patrol season. Surf Club Open Day A lot has been going on in Surf Life Saving since the season Surf Clubs in NSW ended in April. A large contingent of NSW athletes rounded off their season at the 2016 Aussies on the Sunshine Coast. There have been plenty of opportunities for our surf sport athletes to 11-13 NOV compete over winter in the IRB and Pool Rescue Competitions. Senior Performance Many of our patrolling members have been involved in the Academy emergency callout system and have responded to requests for Narrabeen, Sydney assistance during winter, and we thank them for their efforts. We’ve also welcomed two new members to the Board after our 18-20 NOV recent elections. Former Sydney Northern Beaches President Development David Murray (North Curl Curl SLSC) was elected NSW President, Networking Program while Donald van Keimpema (Shelly Beach SLSC) was elected Sydney CBD Surf Sports Director, both for two year terms. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding contribution our outgoing President Tony Haven AM has made to Surf Life Saving over many 27 NOV years. Both he and former Surf Sports Director Michael Bate, Beach Development Clinic who elected not to recontest his position, brought experience Newport, Sydney and passion to the job and our movement is richer for their involvement. Recently I had the pleasure of attending the 2016 Surf Life Saving 10-11 DEC NSW Awards of Excellence in Sydney, and this was a fantastic Interbranch night to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our members. Championships Our thanks go to Stramit Building Products who supported the The Lakes, awards, and have been wonderful long-time supporters of Surf Central Coast Life Saving, and Mr Adam Crouch MP, Member for Terrigal who 17 DEC represented the Minister for Emergency Services, David Elliott. SLSNSW Race Day Beyond The Flags is a vital communication tool for our members Randwick Racecourse, and we aim to produce a publication that encompasses the Sydney whole spectrum of Surf Life Saving, whether your involvement is in lifesaving, sport, coaching, administration, junior activities 4-5 FEB or volunteering in support of your club. We appreciate your Stramit Country dedication and time spent in any volunteer capacity. Championships Enjoy the read! South West Rocks, 25 FEB- Mid North Coast 12 MAR NSW Surf Life Saving Phil Vanny AM Championships Chief Executive Officer Swansea Belmont, Hunter Surf Lifesavers Brave Wild Weather The patrolling off season for volunteers and state wide beach closures didn’t prevent Surf Life Saving from responding to incidents and emergencies across the state during the storms that battered the NSW coast in June. Volunteers were called on to assist Police, SES and Marine Rescue with evacuations from flooded suburban areas on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and elsewhere. In central Narrabeen IRBs from Sydney Northern Beaches Branch and local duty officers braved the downpour to assist residents with rising floodwaters threatening homes and businesses, while75 Photo: Anne-Marie Ladegaard trapped students had to be evacuated by Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB) from the NSW Sports Academy by crews from Nth Narrabeen and Newport SLSCs. Elsewhere in the state volunteers were called out to incidents including reports of a stand up board paddler missing at Fingal Head in the Tweed. New Season Launched A kayaker who became stranded in big seas Sydney’s famous Bronte Beach after he became separated from his craft on was the setting for the NSW the North Coast was extremely lucky that an season opening, the traditional experienced IRB crew from Macksville Scotts Raising of The Flags ceremony Head was able to launch a rescue effort and coincided with the release of the come to his aid. inaugural NSW Coastal Safety On the Far North Coast Australian Lifeguard Report on Friday 23 September. Service personnel were disappointed by the SLSNSW President David Murray, behaviour of some swimmers and surfers Bruce Notley-Smith, Member for who decided to take to extremely messy Coogee, Waverley Mayor Sally Betts and Bronte club waters off Byron Bay when there was a break members all raised the flags on the new patrol season. in the rain. Over 21,000 active surf lifesavers from the 129 surf clubs along the Local Lifeguard Supervisor Ruben NSW coastline will patrol during the season. Roxbourgh said surfers were ignoring warnings and obviously still hazardous “It’s a pleasure to be at Bronte to officially launch the new patrol conditions to head out on the water, making season. I know that every single lifesaver patrolling throughout the job of lifeguards even more difficult. the state will be doing their best to keep beachgoers safe,” said SLSNSW President David Murray. NSW Lifesaving Director John Restuccia commended all volunteers who lent a hand. Following a season where tragically 53 people drowned in NSW “The community is lucky to have volunteers coastal waters, the NSW Coastal Safety Report contains a realistic including surf lifesavers who have the skills and honest look at the current and historical drowning situation and commitment to help others at times like on our beaches as well as an overview of surf lifesaving assets and this,” he said. operations. Photos: David Field 4 Beyond the Flags | SURFLIFESAVING.COM.AU SURFLIFESAVING.COM.AU | Beyond the Flags 5 Vietnam Nippers Visit Hailed A Success It was a school holiday with a difference for a group of has really promoted the lifesaving development project Cudgen Headland Nippers and their parents who recently far more effectively than can be done with one lifesaving got to demonstrate their skills and knowledge about water development officer,” said David Field. “The next challenge safety to an enthusiastic audience in Vietnam. for the project is to get local public authorities to accept Drowning is a major issue in the South East Asian the importance of education in promoting water safety and nation with young children the group at significant risk. the role their lifeguard staff can play offering activities like Conservative estimates put the number at about 32 Nippers over the summer. “ drowning deaths a day across the nation, a truly alarming This is where the Cudgen tour has been so important to statistic, especially when seen through the perspective the Vietnam lifesaving development project. Locals can see of the Australian experience where beach awareness and the games and activities first hand and the skill the young safety is something drummed into young children from a Australians have in the water. “We’ve also been very lucky very early age. to have the support of the Far North Coast Branch for not In 2015 Surf Life Saving Vietnam Development Officer only this project, but also ones we have in Thailand and the David Field set up junior water safety programs in the Philippines,” he concluded. South Central City of Nha Trang. Through his ties with As part of the 2016 tour, the young Nippers from Cudgen Far North Coast Surf Life Saving, Cudgen Headland SLSC participated in a joint activities day with their Vietnamese offered to enter into a sister club relationship with the counterparts. They also had the opportunity to pass on their fledgling Nha Trang SLSC. knowledge and skills gained from many hours spent on Photo: Anne-Marie Ladegaard David and his wife, fellow trainer Susan Eke, have been Kingscliff Beach with the famous Thung boats manned by busy developing relationships with local communities local lifeguards putting in an appearance. throughout Vietnam and have helped train lifeguards to For further information follow Surf Life Saving Vietnam on hopefully assist to reduce the drowning toll. “The tour Facebook. Photos: David Field 4 Beyond the Flags | SURFLIFESAVING.COM.AU SURFLIFESAVING.COM.AU | Beyond the Flags 5 Lifesavers Honoured in Queen’s Birthday Awards Surf Life Saving NSW would like to congratulate a number of current or former members who have been recognised in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. MYRIL BUNT (OAM) JOHN TAPLIN (OAM) For service to the community of the Sapphire Coast For service to the community of Cronulla through Myril Bunt OAM began her involvement in Surf Life Saving back charitable organisations in the mid 1960s, and has made significant contributions at both John Taplin OAM has been heavily involved in the Cronulla Club and Branch level. Between 1983-92, Myril was secretary of community and in Surf Life Saving between 1996 and 2004. Far South Coast Branch, and also served as Treasurer for seven During this time he was a Nippers Age Member and Committee seasons and as assistant gear steward. She served as secretary Member at Wanda SLSC. on the George Bass Marathon organising committee four times ROBYN WRIGHT (OAM) between 1995 and 2001. At Moruya SLSC she spent a decade For service to the community of Moruya as club secretary, and was deservedly awarded a Branch Life Membership in 1998.