Woolamai Newsletter - August Edition
Telephone: 0467 475 263 Postal Address: PO Box 49, San Remo, VIC, 3925 Web: www.woolamaibeach.org.au Email: secretary@woolamaibeach.asn.au
In this Edition:
President’s Update
AGM summary
New directors
Peter Moate life membership
Development fund board
Bronze and SRC Update
LSV Awards of Excellence
Woolamai Youth Leadership & Development (WYLD)
Happy Birthday San Remo Bendigo bank
Social Event - Spooky Rave Halloween Party
Vale Geoff Atkins
President’s update - Jason Close
Hi everyone,
At the Annual General Meeting held at the Clubhouse on 30 July, I was honoured to be returned as the President of Woolamai Beach SLSC for a second season.
I would like to acknowledge all of our returning Board members and congratulate Fiona Blackmore and David Ellison who are joining the Board for the first time.
Fiona, along with Annie Coleman will be one of our Vice Presidents while David takes over the Director of Assets role from Darrell Clark. I am very excited to be working with Fiona and David who both bring valuable skills to the Board.
I would like to thank Brendan Smart, Darrell Clark, Louise Smith and Susan Fawaz for their incredible work during their time on the Board. All leave an impressive legacy of achievements.
Whilst Louise and Susan have stepped off the Board, Louise will remain as our Manager Sustainability, while Susan will be our Manager Competition.
While we have filled our Board positions, there are still plenty of roles that we are looking to fill so keep an eye on this and future newsletters for ways that you can contribute to the Club.
Woolamai Beach SLSC Environs Management Plan
It is very exciting to finally see the recent significant progress on works surrounding the Clubhouse following years of planning.
At the end of July works began on the removal of sand and stabilisation of dunes surrounding the Clubhouse. Sand will be relocated to repair dune blow outs, strengthen the foredunes and distributed along the beach.
60 metres of 1.7 high retaining wall is being assembled around the Clubhouse to prevent future dune encroachment and to widen and retain access around the Clubhouse.
These works are expected to be completed at the end of August.
During this period, the Clubhouse will be accessible, but please stay out of the fenced off areas.
During September, October and November there will be a significant amount of revegetation of the dunes. Keep your eyes on our Facebook page and future newsletters as we will be seeking assistance with planting.
A new concrete path will also be built to connect the car park to the Club entrance.
It is really important that once these works are completed, that all members stick to the pathways and not enter the dunes or vegetated areas. We will be putting a lot of time, effort and money into revegetation and stabilisation of the dunes and so we do not want to undo this good work through human activity. Should you see members of the public in the dunes please ask them politely to return to the beach or pathways.
Darren Adams Memorial Trophy
For many seasons our Club has awarded the Darren Adams Memorial Trophy for the Most Courageous Rescue.
According to ‘Wild about Wooli’, Darren Adams joined Woolamai in 1965 and passed away in 1972 aged 28 years. Darren was a dedicated member and involved in many rescues. The trophy was donated by the Adams family in memory of Darren.
For the 2022/23 season we did not award the trophy and it was remiss of me not to explain this at Presentation Night.
The trophy is one that is not awarded each season. Due to the significance of the award, it is only awarded where a rescue stands out above all others.
In 2022/23 we had several very good rescues however none met the threshold required for the trophy to be awarded.
Given the challenging conditions and ever present dangers involved in life saving at Woolamai Beach, I am sure we will see the trophy again in coming seasons.
See you down the beach soon.
Jason Close
President
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting was conducted on the 30th July and a new board has been finalised. Please see below members appointed on the Woolamai Board of Directors for the 2023/24 season.
A big thank you to the outgoing Board Members on another successful season and a big welcome to our newest Board Members.
To see what we have accomplished in the last 12 months, make sure to check out the Annual Report - https://www.woolamaibeach.org.au/annual-report-2022-23
2023 AGM Minutes - Click HERE
New board for the 2023 seeason
Peter Moate ‘ Moatey’ life membership
Congratulations Peter Moate!
At the Annual General Meeting, Peter Moate was awarded the honour of life membership of the Club.
The following is an extract from Pete’s nomination which was prepared by Andrew Crow and seconded by Georgie Wettenhall and Hamish Derricks.
Peter has been a highly active, passionate and dedicated member of the WBSLSC since joining in December 1991 at the age of 18. He has contributed significantly on and off the beach.
From the outset, Peter was committed to development and improvement and gaining as many awards as he could, including his Gold Medallion within a year, to enable him to begin lifeguarding at Woolamai that summer.
Pete has embraced all opportunities that has been afforded him during his long and distinguished time at Woolamai. He has been involved in both summer and winter competition teams, won Open Male Club Champion 3 times, was a Patrol captain for 5 years, and has worked as a Professional Lifeguard for a total of 13 years (including 5 years as Chief Lifeguard).
In 2006 Pete was awarded the Victorian Beach Lifeguard of the year award, by LSV.
Peter has served in many roles on the club committee (11 years in total).
He has been an active Off-shore Rescue Boat crewman and RWC operator for many years, and most recently represented Woolamai as a Rescue Swimmer and then Senior Air Crewman (Dispatcher) with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter for 8 years.
Peter has enthusiastically contributed his time and skills not only on Patrol and as an instructor, but also in administrative roles and assisting with numerous club fund raising and water safety initiatives.
Pete has helped demonstrate what’s possible for Woolamai members to achieve, including the opportunities available for personal and professional growth through Surf Lifesaving.
Peter’s leadership, involvement and passion over many years has no doubt been inspirational.
Development Fund Board
With Richard Wong rotating off from the Development Fund Board (DFB), this opened a “General Member” vacancy. Andrew Crowe was nominated and subsequently elected as the new member of the DFB.
Thank you again to our members for your outstanding contributions during the 2022/23 season, our members on the beach, our members on our various committees and working groups, and our members holding junior and senior leadership roles. It is amazing to see what we achieved last season and we are excitedly looking forward for what the 2023/24 season brings!
Bronze and SRC Update
Bronze Medallion Camp
While our Bronze camp capacity still sits at 50 people, the training team is working on expanding this capacity to allow our members the chance to participate on the course. If you missed out on securing a spot but would like to attend please fill out the waitlist form below.
Waitlist: https://form.jotform.com/231949323241858
Waitlist Form will close 30th September 2023
Bronze Camp Managers Appointed
I would like to congratulate our 2 newly appointed Bronze Camp Managers for the upcoming December Bronze Camp. Ellie and Jordan bring a number of year of experience both from training courses and their ability in the water. The dynamic duo are very thrilled about the upcoming camp and can not wait to get started.
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to be appointed as one of the Bronze Camp Managers alongside Ellie. We are ready to create an unforgettable experience at the upcoming December Bronze Camp. ”
— Jordan Kuerschner - Bronze Camp Manger
Bronze Camp Leader Applications
Applications to become a Bronze Camp Leader are still open until 1st September 2023. There are a number of roles that need to be filled such as:
Coordinator Positions (Training, Water, Kitchen)
Trainer
Water Safety
Group Leader
Further details on each role are outlined in the PDF. Please Apply - HERE
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
SRC Registrations
SRC Registrations are still Open with plenty of space still available. The Surf Life Saving Surf Rescue Certificate is the base level of award for patrolling members. Candidates will learn the core skills to begin their lifesaving journey as a patrolling member at Woolamai Beach SLSC.
To register for the SRC Course - Click HERE
LSV Awards of Excellence
Congratulations to Jordan Kuerschner and Terry Aslanidis for being finalists in the 2023 Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence held at the Sofitel on Collins on 12 August.
Jordan was nominated for the John Wishart Memorial Medal -Lifesaver of the Year which is arguably the most prestigious individual award in life saving in Victoria.
Jordan didn’t win the award but as a finalist has been recognised as being one of the 5 most outstanding life savers in the state. We are so proud of this enormous achievement.
Terry was also nominated for the Volunteer Trainer of the Year Award. This award recognises the trainer who has made a significant contribution toward the training and education of LSV volunteers across Victoria.
While Terry didn’t win the award he has been recognised as being amongst the best trainers in the State and has had an enormous influence on the development of our members.
Jordan and Terry have been incredible role models, are amongst our hardest working members and thoroughly belong alongside the best in Victoria
Woolamai Youth Leadership & Development (WYLD)
WYLD is made up of current youth members within the club and was established to help gain confidence in youth members to take on leadership opportunities and to establish youth development programs that will increase youth member retention within the club.
The WYLD committee will target members who have just graduated Nippers going onto SRC and members who have gained their SRC waiting to obtain their Bronze Medallion.
We currently have 4 members on the WYLD Team:
Ellie Glenk
Bailey Lawton
Oscar Goodger-McGrath
Sophia Hungerford
Why did you decide to join the WYLD group?
If you are a current SRC/Bronzie (age 13-18) and wanting to be involved feel free to message any of the above members.
Terry Aslanidis
Director of Member Development
Happy Birthday San Remo Bendigo Community Bank
On 25 June the San Remo District Financial Services and San Remo Bendigo Bank celebrated 20 years of operation and supporting the local community.
As well as being the Club’s bank of choice and a long time supporter of the Club and events such as the Bass Coast Series, the bank plays a very important role in the community.
Over the past 20 years, the bank has contributed over $5 million dollars to local community groups.
This year the bank has granted our Club $22,968 to contribute to the Welcome to Woolamai project which will see a new concrete path outside the Club entrance as well as some updates to signage at the entrance.
The bank celebrated its 20th anniversary with a celebratory dinner and grants presentation at the Kilcunda Bass Football and Netball Club.
Tanya Pinnock, Alan Hailes, Dave & Steph Ellison & Michael Sorensen represented the Club at the event, while Jason Close took part in a happy birthday video which was shown at the event.
The bank has a branch in San Remo and is always keen to welcome club members as new customers.
Please support the businesses who support us!
Social Event - Spooky Rave Halloween Party
This season we are focusing on our members and creating a culture like never before.
As we start to get closer to the season, we want to bring members together to connect and what a better way to start our socials calendar with a Halloween party at the club!
It will be Spooky…
It will be Wild...
And it will be a night you don’t want to miss out on!
📆 Date: Saturday 28th October 2023
📍 Location: Woolamai Beach SLSC
💲 Cost: $10
👻 Dress Code: MUST BE IN COSTUME!
RSVP here 👉 - https://form.jotform.com/232071832584860
There are also prizes to be won!
All costs are going towards decorations and food!
Please RSVP by 15th October!
Vale Geoff Atkins
Recently we received the sad news that Geoff Atkins, a long time friend and supporter of the Club had passed away.
Whilst not a member of the Club, Geoff had a long time association with many members of the Club.
Geoff was also part of our Woolamai Beach SLSC Environs Management Plan project team and as an engineer was responsible for designing the retaining wall which is currently being built to protect the Clubhouse. Geoff also prepared much of the project’s approval documentation and assisted the Club in negotiations with various government agencies and contractors. Geoff will be greatly missed.
Callout for historic club items!
Hello to all Woolamai Members
From Graeme Clauscen, Club Historian
From the Archives a little bit of History !
S.L.S.A. Poster from 1977
Woolamai Aerial Photo 1987
I am currently working on the Club’s archives and cataloguing a lot of new items that have been given to the Club.
It is proposed that all of the items in the Club archive will be digitized and uploaded to Victorian Collections where anybody can access all of the items, on line.
The family of Dennis Harris recently provided a large number of photos and documents collected by Dennis over many years.
This is an appeal for donations of items of Historical interest to Club Members past and present. I am looking for the following:
Club Garments
T Shirts, Tops, Shorts, other Any item of clothing with the Club Name/Logo on it, condition not important.
Photographs
Color or black and white photographs of Club activities over the years 1959 -2022. Where possible, detail of, Location, Date, Names, and any other relevant info.
General Memorabilia
Any item of Club interest, Medallions Trophies Certificates Pennants etc. In other words if it is part of Woolamai History I would like to know about it and see it.
IMPORTANT. PLEASE PROVIDE – NAMES DATES TIMES LOCATION AND ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION
If you would like to donate any item that would be great, if not we will photograph the item and return to you.
Best Wishes
Graeme Clauscen
If you would like to contact me, 0412 789 499
Wild About Wooli! A 50 Year History of the Club
Want a segment in next Month’s newsletter?
Hi all,
If anyone would like to submit something for next month, the best way to do this is send me an email at communication@woolamaibeach.asn.au with a title for the segment, and text of what you’d like to be included as well as any pictures or images and I’ll be sure to add it in.
Deadline for September’s Newsletter - 8th of September
Cheers,
Ryan Box - Director of Communications