President's Chat - Mar 24

Our apology for the delay in getting the latest Bluing magazine out, its certainly been an extremely busy start to 2024 with action aplenty on many fronts.
Why so you ask? Well allow me to explain.
Linda once again ran a very special ‘Remembering Our Members Day’ on Sunday 14/1, where we came together to recognise valued members that have passed most notably this year Horst and Tony Brown. We successfully conducted our Sportspersons Day in January after months of planning, thanks are extended to table captains, record attendees and of course event sponsors who provided goods for the day. A fantastic day was had by all with plenty of laughs, great range of guest speakers, wonderful food via Top Cat Catering along with MC Chimes who was in great form. All funds raised went to our Australian Touring Teams as did the Spring Festival funds. An early reminder (and diary entry) for next year Sunday 2/2/25 is our scheduled Sports Day due to when Australia Day falls. 
We conducted our annual Australia Day bbq shortly after Sportspersons Day another great day with equally big turnout. Nippers returned from their Christmas recess late January. We said goodbye to another Life Member in Ray Robinson who passed after a long health battle and joined together after the funeral to celebrate this top bloke.  We ran our Gold Members Day and invited all of our Life Members along to enjoy the food, refreshments and good company. We also conducted our very special ‘THANKYOU LUNCHEON’ and sponsored equipment display in acknowledgment of current sponsors that support our club operations and as we hit 2000 members and operating 12 months of the year now I take this opportunity to reach out for additional support. Can you, a friend, an organisation assist?
Also in the first couple of months we took possession and set up our new storeroom (the old public mens changeroom) where all club signage, files and property are now stored that are used infrequently. Last weekend our nipper committee conducted Nippers Trivia night with record turn outs, ran Social Sundays throughout the season wth great success and popularity with members and public alike. Participated in Branch Championships, completed selections and budgets for State Nippers and Australian Touring teams and with the overwhelming support of our IRB drivers and crew, managed to secure sufficient unprecedented water safety numbers for State Nippers, Masters and Open carnivals allowing us to compete.
We took possession of our new ‘Clovelly (Bendigo) Community Bank’ trailer and as of next week head to the Northern Beaches for State Nippers, Masters and Open Competition. On that note we wish all of our members good luck whilst representing South Maroubra, have fun and always display great sportsmanship. 
Finally and in recognition of the hard work by all of our Lifesavers during what has been a very busy surf season with some memorable moments we installed an afterhours rescue equipment stand located near the kiosk ensuring our members have quick access day and night to equipment if they need to rescue swimmers in distress.

So what does the next few months hold?  
Yes there is so much more! 

• Thursday 7/3 to 17/3 as above we head off to State Championships which kick off at Queenscliff, so big couple of weeks ahead. 
  
• Sunday 17/3 – After Nippers we’ll be enjoying some Irish charm on St Patricks Day courtesy of resident Irish ex-pat and member Andrew McCabe
  
• Saturday 23/3 we host a traditional surf boat carnival from 6am to 2pm with thrills, spills and plenty of action. As hosts we will be reaching out to ALL of our members to lend a hand for a few hours on that day. From 12pm to 4pm we’ll have our favourite solo musician Oscar (from uptown funk band) keeping the crowds entertained with club bbq and refreshments up and running so everyone is welcome to pop on down.
  
• Saturday 13/4 to 22/4 a record number of  club competitors head off to the Sunshine Coast for the Australian Championships
  
• Sunday 28/4 we host the South Maroubra Ocean Swim and again will be calling out to ALL senior and nipper club members to help out. We also complete our patrol season so hope all our lifesavers come down to support the swim and afterwards enjoy a thankyou bbq, band and refreshments.
  
• In May/June we start our relocation plan. A three way move with Lifesaving moving into their new facility, gym moving into the old lifesaving room and old gym becoming a dedicated training, overnight stay and youth facility so we’ll certainly be looking for help.
  

Wow what a season and guess what? It all starts again in September.
See you at soon
Paul ‘Stretch’ Fownes APM OAM
President.