Vice President
The 2020/2021 season has presented many challenges for the administration and operation of the club.
Our partnership with Upwey High School continues to flourish and despite lockdowns, restrictions, and LSV protocols we managed to run a Bronze camp at Woolamai in December with the Club welcoming 22 new Bronzies for the season.
Our relationship with Phillip Island Nature Parks was strengthened with the establishment of a working committee that became the driving force for works being done prior to the commencement of the summer season. The clubhouse footprint was re-established with substantial sand removal and dune reduction undertaken by PINP contractors. In consultation with DELWP, fencing strategies were constructed in an attempt to control dune blowouts and consolidate pathways, and a plan to revegetate the dunes with native grasses has begun and will continue over the winter months.
The working committee, in consultation with The Board, has been reviewing with Club’s master plan and is currently awaiting the outcome of grant applications that hopefully will ensure the development of this master plan in the coming years.
Our Sustainability Group presented its goals for the 2020/21 season. They revolved around implementing a new waste disposal system, a reduction of our electricity usage, and implementing strategies to reduce our water consumption. The Board endorsed these goals with many initiatives undertaken to implement their goals prior to the commencement of next season.
Woolamai’s sense of community and generosity was highlighted by an initiative to replace The Mallacoota Surf Life Saving Club caravan base that was destroyed by the bushfires of January 2020. Generous support from Jayco Gippsland, The Minderoo Foundation and the generosity of the Woolamai members meant the Club raised funds, sought donations, fitted out a purpose built patrol base and delivered a new caravan prior to the start of the 2020/21 season. Thanks to the many members who played a role in this donation.
We completed a review of our Judiciary processes and procedures as a Club which resulted in fantastic discussions and outcomes for our members. We would like to thank the following people for taking part in the Judiciary review group; Alan McLean (Life Governor), Brian Whittaker (Life Member), Troy Ross (Life Member), Georgie Wettenhall (Life Member), Darrell Clark, Michael Sullivan, Neil Hannan, Annie Coleman, and Campbell Smart. Alan and Troy will continue to work alongside the Board on some of the outcomes of this review. Alan and Troy are spearheading the completion of our Club By-Laws that will go on to serve our club for years to come.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 claimed a large victim for our organization when we were unable to run our Special Events as we normally would for the season. Channel Challenge, Cowes Classic, The Little Penguin Dash, and our Club Championships all had to be postponed. However, we are confident that they will be back bigger and better for season 2021/2022. The organizational committee, headed up by Ron Nicholson (Life Governor), is well underway with their planning for the coming season of events that promises to be bigger and better.
In the coming months, we have been invited to participate in a Life-Saving Victoria initiative to improve the support offered to Life Savers when major traumatic events occur on our beaches. As we know, Woolamai Beach SLSC has had significant experiences with these types of events in the past decade. We have learned our own lessons and gained experiences that are valuable, but that we wish we did not have to come by. Regardless, we, as a family in our club, will continue to improve and seek out whatever knowledge and support we can.
Season 2021/2022 promises to be big for our organization as we reinvigorate and recommit to our drive and passion for protecting the beaches of Phillip Island and its surroundings. We very much look forward to seeing you all at the club for what will be our best season yet! See you there!
Vice Presidents | Stafford Smith and Max Eldridge