COMMUNITY UPDATE - from the Branch President, Gerard O'Brien
I am pleased to provide the following update on the project to re-establish an independent, community-based Surf Lifesaving Club at Peregian Beach (PBSLSC).
As per previous updates, lifesaving operations at Peregian Beach remain under the direction of Noosa Heads SLSC for the 2021/22 season.
So far, patrols this season have continued along well, with volunteer Peregian patrols covering Saturdays supplemented by professional Lifeguards, funded by NHSLSC, making up the Sundays and public holidays.
Peregian volunteer lifesaving numbers and skills have not yet allowed the volunteer base to start taking any of the Sunday patrols back as yet. A strong and sustainable membership is a crucial factor in our success, so if you’ve been thinking about joining please come forward and encourage your family and friends to do the same.
A local Peregian Beach Working Group, made up of Peregian-based NHSLSC members ,is working hard in the background to ensure the new Club has a sound basis to commence independent operations from 2022/23 onwards.
Pleasingly, we have seen a further increase this season in the Peregian Beach Nipper program from 165 children last season to 205 at present. It is a great sign for the future to see the enthusiasm from the parent involvement for the successful Sunday programs.
On the beach, we have 70 patrolling members across 5 full patrol groups with further support in the form of a 6th patrol being provided by the Brisbane Surf Lifesaving Service (part of Surf Lifesaving Queensland (SLSQ), the organisation’s governing body). Thanks to NHSLSC we are currently having new members trained to have the necessary qualifications to join our patrol teams which will enable us to expand our patrol teams and go further towards the full weekend coverage expected of volunteer surf lifesaving clubs.
A submission has been made to Noosa Council for the new Club to have long term tenure in the building to continue to deliver surf lifesaving services. The submission also sought support for various measures to enable the Club to generate modest income sources through which to secure it’s financial future. Discussions are still continuing.
We are also aware of a successful fundraising program by a local Community Group that raised a substantial amount of funds for “the rebuilding of the Peregian Beach Surf Club.” We look forward to receiving these funds in due course, however, the first and over-riding priority for the new Club is to drive patrolling membership numbers and capability to ensure viability as a functioning and independent surf lifesaving club (ie. being able to competently and reliably patrol the beach).
Rebuilding infrastructure is a distant priority at this time. However, any operational funding the fledgling club can secure will be highly valued.
Further to this, submissions to SLSQ have enabled an assessment of the existing infrastructure (the Clubhouse and equipment) at Peregian Beach for surf lifesaving operations to be undertaken. This has resulted in the new Club being ranked a very high priority for future Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) infrastructure funding when the time comes.
From a legal perspective, applications have been made to the Office of Fair Trading for the new incorporated associations for the club to be ready for the next season. This process has been somewhat delayed due to issues with previous registrations of various Peregian Beach entities associated with surf lifesaving. We are hopeful that this has now been resolved and the process of registering the new entities can now proceed with haste.
Under the guidance of the Working Group, the new Club is planning a rejuvenation of the social aspect of Surf Club life with Club Nights and other Social gatherings over the coming months/years. We strongly encourage local community members to support these events as the task of building a new Club in such a short timeframe is large and ambitious.
How you can help to make the PBSLSC a success now:
a) become a volunteer surf lifesaver b) become a volunteer radio operator or other supporting Award holder (which doesn’t involve the full physical requirement of a bronze medallion) c) help with the Nipper program, including volunteering for the BBQ roster d) help with fundraising e) support social events
Best contact details for any of these opportunities are via the Facebook page (Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Club) or via email at peregian@noosasurfclub.com.au
and for the Supporters Club: a) become a “Community Member” of the Supporters Club b) if you have a specialist skillset or background (eg fundraising, hospitality, sponsorship or club operations), consider nominating for the Community-based Director positions on the Supporters Club Board. These EOI's have been extended to 24 January 2022.
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