Wamberal Surf Life Saving Club

Members

Director of Lifesaving – Bruce Gould

I would like to thank all our members for their dedication & efforts in “Lifesaving” on Wamberal Beach over this past season – the statistics show that we saved many lives and prevented many more people from placing themselves in life threatening situations in our surf.

We saw the “Year of the Lifesaver” come to a close thus reinforcing the National significance & recognition of our local voluntary life saving activities and our surf club’s place within our local community.

I would also like to thank my fellow Executive Committee members for their on-going support & assistance with the Life Saving efforts & patrols at Wamberal – their counsel & companionship has been great throughout the season.

The following people deserve special recognition for their fantastic efforts & contributions in the past season:- Patrol Captains – Gary Skow, Kylie Stewart, Tony Jennar, Shane Knight, David Ardley, Craig Adams, Troy Colmer, Steve Mally, Bill Creemers, Vince Minto and Darron Camden

These are our “Patrol Managers” & are charged with managing the beach and our human resources – which can be challenging & rewarding.

IRB Captain – Vince Minto – there were several IRB motor issues that kept both Vince & our mechanic busy (the Wambi shore break is not getting any kinder to our members or equipment)There was over $3000 spent on motor maintenance & repairs this year – all efforts in the future need to be made to minimise these expenses to the club.

Radio Officer – Tony Jennar – with this season seeing the introduction & usage of the Gath Radio Helmet for IRB drivers. Also another “Icom” radio has been procured for patrol usage.

First Aid Officer – Felicity Phillips – has kept the 1st Aid supplies & materials well stocked and ready for usage when & as required.

Training/Assessing – Tony Jennar, Malcolm Spinks, Ramzy Fawzy & Jeff Britt

Bruce Gould receiving his Gold Medallion
at 2007-2008 Presentation Night –
presented by Christine Hornery from
Financial Management Solutions (FMS)

Summary of our club’s awards/training achievements:-

SRC - 21
Bronze Medallions - 19
Gold Medallion- 1
ARC - 9
IRB Crewman - 13
Silver Medallion (IRB Driver) - 4
Silver Medallion (Advanced Emergency Care) - 1
Silver Medallion (Basic Beach Management) - 12
Spinal Management - 4
Training Officer - 2

Patrolling Statistics for season 07-08
Total Patrol hours4050 by 76 Active Members (51 Male & 25 Female)

Rescues

Without Gear - 8
Tube - 1
Board - 4
IRB - 3
Total - 16

First Aid

Fractures/Dislocation - 1
Major Wounds - 0
Marine Sting - 88
Minor Cuts/Abrasions - 13
Other - 5
Resuscitation - 1
Spinal - 0
Total First Aid - 108
Total Preventative Actions - 734

Cadet of the Year – Rhiann Sarich
presented by Kathy Goodhand

The end of this season has seen the demolition of our club house & has created many challenges for the management of our club’s resources – with our equipment housed in shipping containers in Lett Park. As it is impossible “to make pavlova without cracking eggs” we will need to be co-operative, patient & flexible with the location of our patrol equipment until the new club is completed & handed over for our use (I suspect this will not be until Early in 2009). I can’t wait to utilise our new club house as it will provide us with simpler access to the beach for our vehicles & greater storage/access to our patrol gear.

Again I wish to convey my thanks & gratitude for all members “lifesaving efforts” on our beach AND I wish to encourage you all to come back next season where we hope to have a new club house & modern facilities completed. I would encourage all our members to assist in recruiting more members to join in our club’s activities & share some of the “Wambi Spirit” – as the work load & demands on our service will keep increasing.

See you between the flags in 2008-2009

Bruce Gould
Director of Life Saving

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