Words from President Stretch

Hello again Members and Friends and welcome to the March edition of our Bluing Club Newsletter. Please take the time to have a read this newsletter in full, we very much want to keep you up to date.
So what’s news in brief at South Bra?

1. State Title Competitions concluded last weekend with South Maroubra SLSC realising its best results ever. The first competition was State Age Championships (Nippers) where South Maroubra surged on the last day taking out an outstanding 4th place in the State of New South Wales.  To say we are proud of our young athletes, their coaches and supporters would be a massive understatement. Success also extended to our Inclusive Competitors taking out multiple Gold and Silver medals. Plenty of photos on our South Maroubra SLSC Facebook site!
2. Last week our Masters and Open competitions took main stage and achieved the BEST ever result taking out 4th Place in the State, just incredible. Our Masters Team excelled in all age groups and events including sand, beach and boat with some terrific results as seen on our Facebook page. Following Masters were our U/17 and U/19 Belt Races (a traditional and demanding sport) where we again excelled taking Gold, Silver and Bronze medals (full results on our Facebook page). Last Saturday and Sunday one of the most incredible scenes took place at a State level competition with our Beach Team under the watchful eyes of Coach Andy realising record success never seen before at our club. To many results to mention here but it’s been incredible experience to witness our competitors dominating this sport. A big well done to our board, ski, boat, march past competitors that also performed extremely well with success not far away. Again, photos and highlights are on our Facebook pages!
3. Aussies 2025 is officially on after the Gold Coast copped a bashing from Cyclone Albert. North Kirra has come through the cyclone well so it’s all systems go, we hope by now competitors have booked their accommodation and flights. For those boaties staying with the club at Tweed Heads, you’ll soon be receiving your accommodation invoice. Please be sure to settle accounts asap.
4. Last week, friends and club members said a sad farewell to Rod MacDonald 59 years old. Well known to his friends as ‘Chicken Dinner’ Rod was a wonderfully gifted athlete and brave journeyman who spent much of his earlier life discovering parts of the world whilst undertaking Lifeguard and Ski Patrol duties in Europe during which time he was recognised for bravery. Thank you to his many friends who worked hard to look after Rod in his later years whilst suffering the effects of MS. RIP Chicken Dinner you will be sadly missed.
5. The Ocean Swim is again scheduled for the final surf patrol day in April, so we’ll need help in and out of the water and importantly we’ll need to help to spread the word. More to come in the next edition!
6. Thank you to Age Managers, Assistant Age Managers and Nipper helpers as we bid farewell to our U6 to U8’s last Sunday and all other age groups next Sunday 23/3 during what a day of fun and entertainment for all.
7. Our annual Gold Members event with our Life Members and some guests is also scheduled for Sunday 23/3. Pizza Boys will be catering for this event, acclaimed musician Jarrod (one of our nipper parents) will be entertaining the crowds from 12.30pm with some classic hits, NRL game of the day and members draw so big big day planned. Make a day of it and stick around!
8. For your information our Social Sundays will continue every Sunday 12 months of the year plus remember, we welcome Private Functions in our Heritage Room including all types of celebrations, wakes, conferences for members and non-members. A beautiful, place to bring families and friends whilst enjoying wonderful service from our bar staff and ambience of the area. Simply refer to our website or email [email protected] for more function details.
9. We’re still looking for a NEW BUS SPONSOR. Our current bus is due for changeover after Aussie Title travel commitments in April. We will be purchasing a brand new replacement bus and now searching for one or two sponsors to advertise on one or both sides of our NEW bus, sponsor branding can take the full centre area of  the bus on both sides, an excellent PR and advertising tool as this bus travels throughout Sydney and interstate.  A sponsor will get 3 years of advertising at a very reasonable $25k (total) plus cost of decals if more complicated such as a wrap. Please ask your boss, ask your partner, all enquiries via email [email protected]

 
See you at South Maroubra SLSC, the best club in the east!
Paul ‘Stretch’ Fownes APM OAM
President