Woolamai Newsletter - March 2025 Edition
Web: www.woolamaibeach.org.au | Email: secretary@woolamaibeach.asn.au | Postal Address: PO Box 49, San Remo, VIC 3925 | Telephone: 0467 475 263
In this Edition:
President’s Update
Board Meeting Updates (February and March 2025)
Length of service awards
Water safety framework released
Save the date: Presentation night is on May 31
AGM taking place on July 26
Welcome back James
Calling History Enthusiasts: Help Preserve Our Club’s Legacy!
Communications Introduction
Floating into off-duty season
As summer winds down, we reflect on a season of successful patrols and community spirit.
It’s been a busy few months which is why this newsletter is coming a little later than usual. From beach safety to local events, we’re excited to share the highlights of February and March with you.
Stay tuned for updates and what’s ahead…
Louisa Williams
President’s Update - Jason Close
With our warm summer weather continuing, February and March have been busy months at Woolamai Beach.
We have seen strong numbers continuing to patrol our beaches and its great to be able to field patrols at both Smiths Beach and Woolamai. A number of remote beach and after hours call outs have tested us but fortunately all have been resolved successfully. Our members have demonstrated excellent vigilance and service.
One of the pleasing things observed this summer has been the use of our mobile beach wheelchairs which we have at the Clubhouse and Smiths Beach. These have been loaned to provide beach and water access to some members of the public with mobility issues. Its wonderful that we are able to give someone a beach experience they would otherwise not be able to have. The Smithsonians patrol even used the beach wheelchair recently to immerse a patient suffering heatstroke in the water until paramedics arrived.
Our Events team led by Ron Nicholson has put on an incredible series of summer races including the Cowes Classic, Little Penguin Dash and the Channel Challenge. Thank you also to Mick Sullivan, Max Eldridge, Melina van der Weerd Arceo, Graeme Burgan and everyone else who made the series so successful. These events are a whole of Club effort with many members doing race set up, water safety, first aid, transition areas, publicity and various other activities.
The Channel Challenge in its 39th year broke all records again and was a sellout with over 800 competitors-days before the race which is the first time in its history that this has happened. Ron and his team received over 100 enquiries from people wanting to see if there were any last minute tickets.
Ron has announced that the 40th Channel Challenge to be held in 2026 will be his final as the Race Director. Ron will leave big shoes to fill but we look forward to other members stepping up and Ron mentoring them.
Thank you San Remo Community Bank
On January 24, we received a visit from John Mathews, Janice Rowlingson and Bruce Proctor who are Directors of the San Remo Community Bank (Bendigo Bank). The bank very generously funded the concrete pathway at the entrance to the Clubhouse as well as the Welcome to Woolamai sign and information display board.
As a result of the bank grant, we have been able to significantly improve the entrance to the Clubhouse, provide safer access, improve access to the ramp and divert water away from the Club entrance. The sign provides important information about beach safety, Club activities, courses, events and fundraising.
Plant Maintenance and Beach Cleaning Day
On January 25, the Club held a very successful plant maintenance and beach cleaning day as part of the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action and Coastcare’s ‘Summer by the Sea’ program.
Nearly 20 members of the Club and volunteers from the community (some of the Commonwealth Bank grad program) spent the morning weeding and removing marram grass from the dunes around the Clubhouse and picking up rubbish from the beach and car park.
A huge thank you to Coastcare for sponsoring the event, to Mark Merryfield from Phillip Island Nature Parks for supervising plant maintenance and to Louise Smith and Fi Blackmore for organising the event.
Further planting days are proposed to help us stabilise our dunes and improve our Clubhouse environs.
Pink Zinc Brunch
The annual Bass Coast Pink Zinc brunch held at Cape Paterson SLSC was a wonderful celebration of the contribution to lifesaving of our female members. Some excellent speakers provided inspiration to the many female and male members of Clubs attending.
Congratulations to Erin Close who was nominated as our Club’s recipient of the ‘Change Maker Award’ and Zoe Scott who was nominated as our Club’s recipient of the ‘Rising Leader Award’.
International Womens Day
Two of our fantastic female Club leaders were recognised at Life Saving Victoria’s International Women’s Day event recently with Erin Close and Fi Blackmore nominated as our Club’s emerging female leader and senior female leaders. Below are the citations which outline why each are so important to our Club.
Erin Close is an emerging female leader who has made a remarkable impact on her club and its members. As Co Club Captain, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment, particularly through her role as a Member Protection Officer and organising a Mental Health First Aid course. Her passion for mental health and wellbeing is evident in the extensive effort she puts into developing programs that engage and empower members. Erin has taken on the responsibility of Director of Wellbeing, ensuring the club remains a welcoming space where everyone feels valued. Her leadership extends beyond her official duties as she actively mentors others and is always someone many junior members look up to. Erin’s dedication and ability to inspire others make her a standout leader in the club and a role model for emerging female leaders in the community.
Fi Blackmore is an incredibly hard working and inspiring leader who has made an amazing contribution to our Club over the past decade. Fi is our current Vice President and Director Admin and Finance, a patrolling member and is heavily involved in nearly every area of Club activity. Fi has introduced numerous procedures and initiatives to support Club administration, governance, stakeholder relations, merchandise and other areas of Club operations. As a former Nipper parent, committee member and age manager, Fi has inspired others to become active lifesavers and has become a mentor to many of our Board and committee members, particularly our emerging female leaders. Fi actively supports a range of initiatives which improve our Club and its culture and make it a more welcoming organisation. Fi goes above and beyond her required duties and is one of our most dedicated, hard working and passionate members.
See you down the beach soon.
Regards,
Jason Close
President
Board Meeting Update - 5 February 2025
Our 2025 Board Members
Board roles and contact details
Meeting online
Present: Jason Close, Fi Blackmore, Nick Reynolds, Jordan Kuerschner, Erin Close, Phoebe Clark, Darrell Clark, Emma Gallagher, Heather Ridley
Decisions
Following the resignation of Christian Born (Director Admin and Finance) and Jules Hay (Director Nippers/Junior Development), there were two vacancies on the Club’s Board of Directors. Following advertising of the roles one nomination was received for each.
Grant Edmunds was appointed to the vacant Director Admin and Finance role. Grant patrolled with the Club for 10 years in the 1990s and 2000s and was the Club Treasurer for 3 seasons. Grant is a chartered accountant with 25 years experience and is currently a group Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of a $250M top line national healthcare business.
Heather Ridley was appointed to the vacant Director Nippers/Junior Development role. Heather is the parent of a 10 year old Nipper and has been with the Club for the past 3 years working as an assistant/age manager/committee member. Heather has over 20 years experience in the public service in a range of senior executive roles which include 3 years at Emergency Management Victoria. Heather is currently the Deputy Secretary of Corporate Services at the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions. Heather has also been a Non-Executive Director of a not-for-profit organisation, Athletics, including 3 years as President.
General Business
Directors identified the following priorities for the remainder of the season and throughout 2025: Smiths Beach Rescue Base project, bunkroom upgrades, general Clubhouse maintenance, continuing Sunset Sips, supporting the training team, IRB camps, mental health training, amending the emergency callout response procedure, maintaining patrol numbers, standards and equipment, skills development sessions, setting up new Nippers committee, preparation for Audit, Presentation Night and AGM, onboarding new Directors, appointing new Life Governors, developing social memberships, succession planning and developing structure of next Board
Pink Zinc Brunch to be held at Cape Paterson SLSC, members to be encouraged to attend. Club will nominate members for awards. International Womens Day Brunch at LSV, Club to also encourage members to attend and nominate members for awards.
Club Captains patrol very successful. After hours rescue and call outs well handled, good leadership. Patrols doing well in managing busy and challenging beach conditions with hot weather and large crowds. Post-season will be important to keep encouraging patrol attendance.
Board Meeting Update - 5 March 2025
Meeting online
Present: Jason Close, Fi Blackmore, Nick Reynolds, Jordan Kuerschner, Erin Close, Emma Gallagher, Heather Ridley, Grant Edmunds
Decisions
The Board resolved to fund lunches for Smiths Beach patrol members for the remainder of the season to incentivise patrolling at Smiths Beach at a time of the season when the Club struggles to field patrols at both beaches ($15 per member - does not apply to Gerries or Smithsonians patrol). This recognises that Smiths Beach does not have the facilities that would enable a member to make their own lunch or heat up their own lunch as they can do at the Clubhouse.
General Business
This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held at the Clubhouse on the afternoon of Saturday 26 July. The AGM will lead into drinks and an evening event at the Clubhouse.
Presentation Night to be held at Silverwater on Saturday 31 May. Venue booked, deposit paid. A small organising committee needs to be put together. Erin Close and Nick Reynolds to lead.
Patrol hours to be compiled for purpose of Club awards and Bass 100+ Award event. LSV assistance will be sought.
Long service awards - this year a call out will be put out to members to self-nominate for upcoming milestones e.g 10 years, 20 years etc. Club will then check records to verify and determine award eligibility. This will allow administrative efforts to be more focussed (rather than going through every members full records which has proven difficult in past seasons).
Director Life Saving Services attended a meeting with Club Presidents and Club Captains from other Bass District Clubs to discuss emergency call out procedures. WBSLSC have leading processes in place.
Bass District Carnival was successful and a lot of fun -3 WBSLSC Club members competed on the day.
Bass Coast Secondary College SRC Camp was successful -28 candidates and 2 staff qualified. Newhaven College course coming up.
Club IRB camps over-subscribed with over 50 applications. 18 crew and 3 drivers will take part in March camp. A further camp will happen at Easter. Participants selected on criteria including: patrol hours, frequency, length of service, involvement in Club activities
Pink Zinc patrol fundraising bake was successful in raising funds for Share the Dignity Charity. Great effort by Michelle Murphy, Maddie Hungerford, Grace Murphy, Milly Bernardi and others on the day.
Thefts of Club property in 2 incidents on same night reported to Wonthaggi Police. Club members who witnessed have provided statements.
Kieren Williams has organised a new frame for the Nippers/Club ‘Punchy Penguin’ tent.
Length of service awards
Have you recently completed 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years patrolling at Woolamai Beach SLSC?
This year at Presentation Night, we are keen to recognise our important members who have contributed many years of service to our Club.
However, we need your help!
Going through patrol records to verify everyone's hours and years of service is a lot of work so we are inviting currently patrolling members who have recently achieved these milestones to get in touch.
It will really help your nomination if you are able to provide evidence to support your nomination eg. your SurfGuard transcript, awards gained, name some current members who can verify your involvement.
The years patrolled do not need to be consecutive; they can be cumulative. It is important that you are specific about which years you have patrolled.
You need to have patrolled at least the minimum patrol hours in each season (SLSA policy for Victoria is 16 hours per season - please note that some National awards require a minimum 30 hours).
Please submit your self-nomination to secretary@woolamaibeach.asn.au by no later than 5pm on Friday 4 April (the sooner the better). Please also add a photo of yourself that you would be happy to share at Presentation Night.
If you could also let us know whether you will be attending Presentation Night (to be held at Silverwater Resort, San Remo on the evening of Saturday 31 May 2025).
Water safety framework released
Bass Coast Shire Council has partnered with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Life Saving Victoria, City of Casey, Cardinia Shire Council, City of Greater Dandenong and Belgravia Leisure to develop the Bass Coast Mornington Peninsula Cross Council Water Safety Framework to enhance beach safety, using new research and best-practice strategies to protect visitors, especially those from culturally diverse communities.
Released just last week, the framework makes short, medium and long term recommendations including connecting lifesaving groups with CALD groups, installing public rescue equipment at high-risk drowning locations with education on usage (Venus Bay was involved in a pilot along these lines this summer) and partnering with the VicEmergency App to share warnings about dangerous surf conditions.
The Board will review the framework and consider incorporation of activities into the club’s existing array of actions and responsibilities.
Presentation night is on May 31 - Save the date!
Start planning your dressed up threads: presentation night is coming!
Silverwater Resort will again host this evening where we reflect on this season, celebrate our new award recipients (if you received your gold, silver or bronze medallion or SRC award this season, be sure to attend to receive & celebrate your achievements) and to recognise the many outstanding contributions that have been made within the club this past 12 months.
Like to throw a party? Then please join our organising committee - contact Nick Reynolds or Erin Close.
AGM is on July 26
While you have your diary out, mark in the afternoon of Saturday 26 July for our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Likely start is around 3pm but time TBC closer to the date and will be followed by drinks and nibbles at the clubhouse .
Welcome back James
The club is delighted to have James Lester back on board as club bookkeeper.
James is well known to many in the club, having served as our bookkeeper for several years. Having taken a break from us, he’s back on board again and it’s great to have his expertise and experience with the club’s financial matters, particularly as we prepare for the annual audit and preparation of financial reports.
Calling History Enthusiasts: Help Preserve Our Club’s Legacy!
At our July AGM, beloved Club historian Graeme Clauscen announced this will be his final season as he plans to retire.
A founding member and near-lifelong contributor, Graeme has dedicated himself to preserving our history, including authoring the remarkable Wild About Wooli – 50 Years at Woolamai Beach SLSC, chronicling the Club's journey.
Wanted: Club Historian
With over 50 years of service, Graeme has held many roles including President, but his most impactful contribution has been as Club historian. His legacy leaves a strong foundation and while his shoes will be hard to fill, this role is vital to preserving our heritage.
We are seeking a new Club Historian and volunteers to help catalogue the collection. If you're passionate about history and interested in contributing, Graeme is happy to chat. Contact him at historian@woolamaibeach.asn.au.