Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to use my time to pay credit to the wonderful surf clubs in the Shortland electorate. There are five surf clubs: Redhead, Caves Beach, Swansea-Belmont, Catherine Hill Bay and Lakes Beach surf clubs. These surf clubs are fantastic organisations of volunteers who serve their community without any thought for themselves, but along the way they have a wonderful time. Surf Life Saving Australia is the largest volunteer organisation in Australia, and I must say that the clubs in the Shortland electorate are absolutely fantastic and are totally dedicated to the protection of life. On many occasions they have been called out in some very, very difficult circumstances to find bodies when rock fishermen have been washed off the rocks, and they are always there. The beaches in the Shortland electorate are always patrolled.

As well as the senior surf-lifesaving clubs, there are the junior surf-lifesaving clubs. The clubs embrace all young people and encourage them to become involved in surf-lifesaving to prepare them for their adult lives or their teenage years, when they will be going to the beach and they will understand water safety. My own grandson attended Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club this year. Whilst he was not the fastest on the beach or the fastest in the water, he really learnt a lot about beach safety and what it is to be involved in the surf-lifesaving movement. Over the last two weekends I attended presentations at two of the surf clubs. On 19 May I attended the presentation at Redhead Surf Lifesaving Club. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the dedication of those involved in the club. The patrol person of the year was Owen Evans and an award for diligence and service went to Jeff Rodway. These are two of the club's major awards and they recognise the contribution that these people have made over a number of years to Redhead surf club.

Last Saturday night I attended the Caves Beach surf club presentation. The club's Person of the Year was Brett Main, the president of the club, who has dedicated every spare moment to the club. I congratulate him. The associate member of the year was Ross Bowmaker, a former president, who has promoted the interests of Caves Beach surf club and surf safety within the Shortland electorate.

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