Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I would like to congratulate the Hunter Surf Life Saving team on the very special milestone of its centenary. One hundred years ago, the First World War had ended and our surf lifesaving club saw a massive expansion as returning soldiers signed up in droves. Newcastle is famous for our coastline and spectacular beaches, and the six surf lifesaving clubs in my electorate have always been central to our community and our lifestyle. I'd like to formally recognise the immense work and contribution of Stockton, Newcastle Nobbys, Cooks Hill, Dixon Park and Merewether surf lifesaving clubs to the Newcastle community and pay tribute to their amazing team of volunteers and the extraordinary work they do, both individually and collectively. Through these clubs, generations of Nippers have been trained, thousands of volunteers have undertaken countless hours of patrolling our shores and, undoubtedly, thousands of lives have been saved. I'd also like to commend the great local initiatives that ensure children with disabilities, refugees and other vulnerable or sometimes socially isolated groups get to enjoy the surf safely. For this and for everything else that the surf lifesavers and surf lifesaving clubs do in our community, I say thank you and I send to you my very best 'Happy 100th birthday' wishes to each and every one of you.