Message from our President - Oct 2020

Well folks, as we head into November 2020, so much has been done in such little time. Let's take a moment to review some of them and what's also coming up!

• Our COVID plan is being updated and distributed (see Covid Updates). Currently, all rooms are operating under COVID rules including registration, sanitising stations for hand/equipment and room number restrictions, with the exception of change rooms/showers, which remain closed. If you need to quick shower, please use the public shower outside the club.
• Congrats to our Nippers who have embraced their Covid Nipper Plan. For the benefit of all Nipper families, we encourage you to take advantage of the ‘drop off and go’ facility as it reduces car parking pressures; please also remember to maintain social distancing on the beach.
• I would like to remind all members across all club sections, including nipper parents  that official club wide communication is by way of Surfguard (SLSA system), which could be via emails and texts (SMS) and club authorised social sites (Facebook pages, Facebook groups, Instagram and Twitter). TeamApp is ONLY used for communication within specific competition groups and does not reflect the broader club business. If Sunday Nippers is cancelled due to adverse weather, that information will be communicated by the aforementioned methods.
• Bronze and SRC training for the season is now underway with large squads in both categories. Thank you to our wonderful and dedicated education team.
• Competition training is also well underway. If you have an interest in competing and representing our club, please send through your expression of interest to [email protected].
• We are now taking bookings for the Heritage room and its BK Lounge for that special event of yours. Please note that Covid rules do apply which will be explained by Michelle in our Club Office. Information about club hire is available here.
• South Maroubra paid our respects to Women in Lifesaving on Sunday acknowledging all women that have contributed to our great club over the last 40 years. I was chuffed to  present two special and long serving women with flowers on behalf of the club. Congratulations once again to Life Members Yvette Rutherford and Linda Perrin who continue to contribute to our club as part of our Board of Management.
• Boaties Fundraiser: State of Origin 1 in the BK Lounge and Heritage Room. Support our members by raising a few dollars towards their touring expenses this Wednesday (4/11/2020) when Queensland takes out game 1. Come along for a laugh and good time, details are in our Club Calendar.
• There’s lots happening in and around the club with a full review of storage and equipment rooms. Excitingly, a couple weeks ago the Competition Section finished the construction of a new board room next to the first aid room. Work was led by George Alexiou, thanks to George and his team. Whitey and George are now looking at improving storage methods in the Board/Ski and Nipper rooms. 
• We’re working closely with our fantastic partners Randwick City Council (RCC) to improve parking and amenities in Arthur Byrne Reserve. It is anticipated that during the months of November and December, the car park overflow will be fully sealed and incorporated into the parking capacity of the park. With the coast walk and park improvements we are seeing a massive increase in visits taking up valuable parking. The upgrade of the overflow will see a reduction in parking capacity in that area but will be compensated by parallel parking along Bernie Kelly Dr, so no loss of parking at the end of the day. South Maroubra SLSC has approached RCC to open Broadarrow reserve during works and are hopeful of the park being open to cover the unavailability of the overflow for a couple of weekends. We are also working closely with RCC in regards to the new amenities block in the park which will reduce the reliance on our 1970 toilets located at the Southend of the club.
• Social Sundays are up and running, so be sure to bring your family and friends down on a Sunday for a swim, a bite and an ale or two. Things have been tough with Covid so help us out whilst building club camaraderie by coming down to the BK Lounge each Sunday 11am to 5pm. Remember Mick's kiosk for schnitzels, variety of fresh salad rolls, hot dogs, ice-creams and drinks (Remember cash only).
• If you have a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate, Gus Taylor, our Club licensee would love to hear from you to volunteer your time to help out once or twice a season on Social Sunday, call the office on 02 9314 0070.
• Other events conducted/scheduled include our 2019/20's Gold Members event, the 2020/21 event is scheduled for April, Sport Person's Day scheduled for Sunday 24/1 (we're reaching out to you for a sportsperson guest speaker) and Sponsors recognition luncheon.
• It's great to see the Sunday's Surf Race back each Sunday commencing 8th November at 9am sharp. Come along for a bit of fun, thanks to Whitey and Dubbo for restoring this club tradition.

 
See you at our Social Sundays
Paul  ‘Stretch’ Fownes AMP OAM