Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I recently took the opportunity to speak in this place about some of the surf clubs on the southern Gold Coast. Today I would like to go into some further detail about some of the ventures that are currently being undertaken by the Surf Life Saving Queensland Point Danger Branch. The Point Danger Branch is entering its 88th year and as a branch supports 11 of the 13 surf-lifesaving clubs within my electorate, including Tallebudgera, Pacific, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Bilinga, North Kirra, Kirra, Coolangatta, Tweed Heads and Rainbow Bay. There are a total of approximately 6,796 members of these clubs within the Point Danger Branch and these same members are also teaching local nippers in surf sports as well as training new members so that they have the necessary skills to be able to assist with all aspects of beach patrols. These members are part of one of the largest community volunteer organisations in the country.

Recently, eight volunteers from clubs within the Point Danger Branch received awards at the Queensland annual awards dinner. I would like to congratulate Claudia and Sam Fien from Rainbow Bay, Jessica Attenborough from North Kirra, Marsha and Chris Maynard from Currumbin and Anthony Cassone from Kirra. I would especially like to congratulate Bev Walsh from Currumbin and Ray Fien from Rainbow Bay for also winning awards on the night and for being nominated for the national awards in October this year.

One of the concerns for surf-lifesaving clubs in general has been the decrease in the number of volunteers. However, the Point Danger Branch membership numbers remain strong and they are proud of the quality of lifesaving services that they provide. In addition to these services, the Point Danger Branch are continually looking at opportunities to get the local community involved. They are putting programs together that include School Surf Talk visits, youth development initiatives and programs aimed at attracting the retired community into surf lifesaving. The School Surf Talk program has been designed to educate primary and secondary students on surf safety and surf awareness. This program intends to educate around 4,500 Gold Coast students, including students from Caningeraba State School, Currumbin Valley State School, Currumbin Primary State School and Hillcrest Christian College. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the president of the Point Danger branch, Mal Barnes, along with the deputy president, Tony Wischnevsky, and the rest of their committee for their commitment to the local surf-lifesaving club. I would also like to thank Kerrie Barnes, who manages the branch, for keeping me up-to-date on the branch activities in the local community.

Debate adjourned.

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