Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club
Annual Report
2014 / 2015
Giving to the Community
Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club Incorporated
Association ABN 14 565 507 323
Address: 4 Hughes Avenue, Port Fairy VIC 3284
Phone: Clubhouse: 03 5568 2246
Email: <[email protected]>
Postal: PO Box 134, Port Fairy Victoria 3284
Web site: www.portfairyslsc.org.au
This report was prepared for presentation to the Club's Annual General Meeting to be held at the clubhouse 3 pm,
on Sunday 13 September 2015 (postponed to 1 pm Sunday 25 October 2015). It contains reports and financial
statements for the season 2014/ 2015 and financial year (July 2014 - June 2015) as required under the Club's
constitution. The financial reports are in two parts: Surf Life Saving and Marine Rescue.
Surf Life Saving operates from a building (constructed in 2000) towards the Southern end of Port Fairy’s East
beach. During the season the Club patrols the moderately safe beach in front of the Club building as well as the
safe area to the South, and the area to the North, which is far more energetic and at times dangerous. The Club
operated as a Royal Life Saving Society Club from 1924 to 1949 at the sheltered South beach. In 1951 it was reformed as a Surf Life Saving Australia Club and relocated to the East "surf" beach.
Marine Rescue operates from a building (constructed in 2010) adjacent to the Yacht Club on the Moyne River.
Contents:



















Page
Board of Directors and other Club Portfolios
Club President
Club Captain
Club Secretary
Club Treasurer
Club Awards
Competition Manager
Nipper Co-ordinator
Surf Boat Captain
Major Projects
Property Lease
Club Membership
Assistance Given by the Club
Patrol Hours
Presentation Night
Surf Club Sponsors and Major Supporters
Port Fairy Coastal Group
Marine Rescue Service
Appendix
Vale Ray Stokie and
Financial Statements and Auditor’s Reports
3
4
5
5
5
6
9
9
13
13
16
16
16
17
21
22
23
24
27
Working With Children Checks
From 1 July 2009 all persons 18 years and over who work with children must comply with the "Working with
Children (WWC) Act 2005". This is especially important for all persons assisting with the Nippers’ programme and
Youth Development squad. The legal ramifications for breaches of the Act are severe.
Further, all active members of life saving clubs in Victoria 18 years and over, must have a valid WWC card before
they can renew their membership. The WWC card number must be entered on the membership renewal form.
Applications for a WWC card are made on-line www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren and the completed form
must be submitted at a Post Office. For volunteers there is no charge. The validity of a WWCC card is 3 years.
All members are asked to review their card and if it becomes out-dated during the coming season, renew it now.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Cover:

“On patrol” - a view from the Club’s new patrol platform

Shaun Murrihy, Paul Buchanan and Ray Stokie with the first Bronze medallion squad 2014-15 season.
Page 2 of 30
Club Board of Directors
Name
Portfolio
Meeting Attendance
Ian Powell
President / Marine Rescue Liaison Officer
8
Neil Dyson
Vice-President/ Safety Officer
9
Tania Dalton
Club Secretary
5
Gerard Cashill
Club Treasurer / Nippers Co-ordinator
5
Paul Buchanan
Club Captain / Projects Officer
10
Shaun Murrihy
Chief Instructor/ Boat Captain
9
Bob Beekhof
Power Craft Officer
N/A
Helen Finnigan
First Aid Officer
3
Pauline McDonald
Marine Rescue Representative (ex-officio)
8
Martina Murrihy
Publicity Officer
N/A
Jenny Boyer
Charlies on East Liaison Officer/
Bronze Medallion Assessor
N/A
Jesse Thomas
Grants Officer
4
Board meetings were normally held at 7.00 pm, on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Clubhouse
Other Club Portfolios
Name
Portfolio
Catherine Hetherington
Competition Manager - Seniors
Anthony Dixon
Competition Manager - Juniors
Ian Sutherland
Honorary Medical Officer
Jim Chambers
Call-out Service Liaison Officer
Club Administration
Paul Nash
Club Administrator / Membership Officer /
Corporate Secretary
Meeting Attendance
10
Vale JTR (Ray) Stokie OAM
It was with great sadness that we lost a member who had given a lifetime of service to our Club. The Eulogy given
as a tribute from the Club appears in the appendix.
Page 3 of 30
Club President
Members: it gives me great pleasure to present this report highlighting many Club achievements and successes of
the past year.
The highlight of the season was the state surf life saving carnival held here in Port Fairy on 28 February and 1
March. The last time this happened was in 1975. It was a great event with about 300 life savers from across
Victoria competing. The sun was out, the pennants were flying and spectators lined the foreshore. The organizers
were so pleased that they are intending a return to Port Fairy soon for another such carnival. This is a most
welcome proposal for the Club and the town.
It was also especially pleasing that our Club members excelled competition wise. The Port Fairy “Shearwaters” won
the open men’s surf boat category and their pennant is proudly displayed in the Club trophy cabinet. Jake
Hetherington, Daniel Murrihy, Lachlan Murrihy, and Mimi Dixson all did well in their various events.
Other successful activities were our traditional annual ones, the Shipwreck Coast ocean swim, the Moyneyana New
Year’s Eve parade, New Year’s Day duck derby on the Moyne River, and our Nipper programme. We thank Gerard
and his helpers for their commitment and hard work in running this ever popular children’s programme.
In other areas of expansion and maintenance:
•
three Charger surf skis, 5 surf boards, 10 nipper boards and an IRB have been purchased,
•
signs have been fitted to the building to identify areas of the Club,
•
a timber patrol platform has been constructed next to the boat ramp giving an uninterrupted view of the
beach in both directions – thanks Jim Chambers for your work here.
Over the season the Board has spent considerable effort in planning for an extension to the West side of the
building to house an education and training facility. This is required to cater for the Club’s increased membership
and need for current training aids. As part of this the Club’s business plan is being revised so that a comprehensive
document can be presented to potential donors.
The end-of-season Nippers Presentation Night was attended and enjoyed by our youngsters, with many awards
being made. It was most successful. The senior’s presentation night was not as well attended. There were 35
members and guests present. However, the presentation of 24 bronze medallion awards, 4 surf rescue certificates
and 357 other awards made it a pleasant function.
There is an ongoing concern about erosion at the East beach. The State Government and Moyne Shire Council
have carried out extensive rock walling several kilometres to the North of the Club buildings. This work is required
to prevent an old rubbish dump being exposed by the sea and breaching of the sand dunes through to the Belfast
Lough. Club members are actively assisting with monitoring the erosion process.
I make a special mention of the passing of Ray Stokie. He was a long serving member of the Club being on the
executive from the early 1960s until recently when ill health caused him to retire. However his interest in Club
activities remained until a few days before his death. Almost every day he could be seen walking in front of the
clubhouse with his dog “Fred” just to “check up on what we were doing”. The photo on the front cover of this report
bears testimony to this.
I thank Club patrolling members for the time they have spent in ensuring that our beach remains a safe place for
the water loving public, to all members who have contributed to making a successful season, and to the Board of
Directors who have given their time to managing and running the Club.
I present this report to the meeting.
Ian Powell, Club President.
Page 4 of 30
Club Captain
Thank you to the 89 members who contributed to our volunteer beach patrol service this season. Our 4 Patrol
Captains were Helen Finnigan, Scott Hetherington, Shaun Murrihy and Paul Buchanan.
Some Season Highlights:
•
Total of 2082 volunteer patrol hours.
•
Zero drownings, 1 IRB rescue and 32 preventative actions.
•
Purchase of new inflatable rescue boat (thanks to Port Fairy Folk Festival $10K and National beach safety .
grant $5K).
•
22 new Bronze medallion awards and 4 surf rescue, 3 IRB drivers, 4 IRB crew certificates and 1 training .
officers achieved. Thanks to Shaun Murrihy, Helen Finnigan, Paul Buchanan, Jenny Boyer, Neil .
Dyson, Antonia Balmer and Greg Dalton, our volunteer instructors.
•
Helen’s patrol did very well in both patrol inspections.
•
Bob Beekhof took on the IRB captain’s role.
Overall, it was a positive and successful year for our patrol groups. It was great to see many new, enthusiastic
patrol members.
I hope our building development program can quickly be completed, as this will help us to continue to provide this
important community service.
Paul Buchanan, Club Captain.
Club Secretary
This has been my first year as Club Secretary. It takes a lot of work to enable the Club to run successfully. I would
like to thank our administrator, Paul Nash for all the hard work he does throughout the year and the summer
season also our President, Ian Powell who puts in a huge amount of time and work to enable the Club to run
smoothly. We had a very successful season with members taking part and competing at all levels from Nippers,
Youth Development Group which I see as the future of our Club. The boaties also have done well over the
season.
Thanks also to all who have served on the Board and all the volunteers in our Club that give their time to patrol
over summer and enable Club to keep running successfully.
Tania Dalton, Club Secretary.
Club Treasurer
The Club’s financial position is sound, the books are being audited by Sinclair & Wilson and the balance sheet and
financial statements can be found in the Appendix. To the best of my knowledge they are all in order and there are
no unusual transactions. This year we have moved our general banking accounts so that both our investment
accounts and trading accounts are now with the Bendigo Bank and we look forward to the support of the
community bank going forward.
The Club is in a good financial position and I thank all club members for their assistance throughout the year.
Gerard Cashill, Club Treasurer.
Page 5 of 30
Club Awards
Award
Total Male Female
Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID]
3
2
1
Apply Surf Awareness and Self-Rescue Skills (PUASAR012C)
26
14
12
Basic Life Support [AID]
3
2
1
Bronze Medallion
24
13
11
Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) (PUA21012)
26
14
12
Communicate in the Workplace (PUACOM001C)
26
14
12
Crew small power-craft in a rescue operation (PUASAR015A)
5
5
0
First Aid [AID]
4
3
1
Follow Defined Occupational Health and Safety Policies and Procedures (PUAOHS001C)
26
14
12
IRB Crew Certificate
5
5
0
Make a Presentation (BSBCMM401A)
2
2
0
Operate and maintain a small power-craft and motor for rescue operations (PUASAR014A)
4
4
0
Operate Communications Systems and Equipment (PUAOPE013A)
26
14
12
Participate in an Aquatic Rescue Operation (PUASAR013A)
26
14
12
Perform CPR (HLTCPR211A)
1
1
0
Prepare Maintain and Test Response Equipment (PUAEQU001B)
4
4
0
Provide Advanced First Aid (HLTAID006)
3
2
1
Provide Advanced Resuscitation (HLTAID007)
3
2
1
Provide basic emergency life support (HLTFA211A)
26
14
12
Provide Basic Life Support (HLTAID002)
3
2
1
Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation [CPR] (HLTAID001)
4
2
2
Provide First Aid (HLTAID003)
4
3
1
Provide work skill Instruction (TAEDEL301A)
2
2
0
Resuscitation [AID]
3
2
1
Silver Medallion Advanced First Aid [AID]
3
2
1
Silver Medallion IRB Driver
4
4
0
SS - Coach Assessor
1
1
0
SS - Coach Mentor
1
1
0
SS - Coach Practical Presenter
1
1
0
Surf Aware Two
1
0
1
Surf Rescue Certificate (CPR Endorsed)
4
0
4
Surf Safe One
3
2
1
Surf Safe Two
7
0
7
Surf Smart One
6
3
3
Surf Smart Two
9
5
4
Surf Sports - Junior Coach
1
0
1
Surf Sports - Junior Official
2
0
2
Training Officer Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID]
1
1
0
Training Officer Bronze Medallion
1
1
0
Training Officer First Aid [AID]
1
1
0
Work Effectively in a Public Safety Organisation (PUATEA004D)
26
14
12
Work in a Team (PUATEA001B)
26
14
12
Total
357
204
153
Page 6 of 30
First Bronze group 2014 - 2015
Second Bronze group 2014 - 2015
Page 7 of 30
Shearwaters boat crew and youth
development group at “the Aussies”,
Tugan beach, Queensland
Blair Hetherington lines up for the
Australian titles board race, Kirra beach,
Queenslsnd
Last Nipper session 2015
2015 Nipper group
Page 8 of 30
Competition Manager
The competition season kicked off for Port Fairy competitors on Sunday 4 January at Anglesea. Conditions were
perfect for competition and there was a nice swell. We had members competing in under 17, 19 and open competition
in events such as ski, double ski and board events. We came home with pennants in the under 19 competition.
The following Sunday we made the trip to Fairhaven and unlike the week before at Anglesea, conditions were
terrible. Many board and ski events were cancelled due the rough sea. This carnival was part of the Summer of
Sport and was a televised event. It made for interesting viewing on the day as the best of the best were competing
including interstate competitors.
A few weeks off before the lead up to the big weekend in Lorne which included masters’ competition on Saturday
and normal carnival on Sunday. A great weekend was had by all, just a pity Life Saving Victoria changed the format
of the competition on the Sunday. Doesn’t suit small clubs at all and hopefully this won’t continue next season?
By this stage of the season we were starting to get pretty excited as we hosted out first carnival in a very long time,
a double header on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March. We were grateful for the support of Club
members who helped to make this event happen. We were also grateful for the many people from different clubs
throughout Victoria who joined us on the Saturday night for a catch-up. It’s lovely to get together with other club
members and the funny stories were flowing as the night progressed. We came away from our home carnival with
pennants in the under 19 double ski and the under 19 2km run, and the surf boat masters came in with a first.
At the end of March, we travelled to Ocean Grove for the States and had a really good weekend together. We had a
couple of really good competitors in the board and ski events and we even bought home a silver medal in the 2km run.
The pointy end of the season was upon us as we converged on North Kirra on the Gold Coast during April. Always
a spectacle to watch, we enjoyed some great competition and always come home thinking, “Wow” those guys from
Queensland are just so good. If we lived in Queensland, we could be that good too - but we don’t! We live in
beautiful Port Fairy and while the weather isn’t that wonderful, it’s always great to get to the Aussies to see the best
competitors in action.
Catherine Hetherington, Competition Manager
Nippers
Nippers continued on an upward trajectory this season with approximately 250 juniors registering for our program.
The 14 sessions saw 1939 individual attendances with an average turnout of 138.5 Nippers each day. We also had
our largest ever attendance on the 4 January when we counted 197 youngsters on the beach that Sunday morning!
The fact that we managed to get through the whole summer without any major incidents involving our Nippers is
testament to the efforts of our volunteer helpers and family members.
As always safety was our main priority and to this end we ensured that we complied with all requisite safety
measures as required by LSV including: ensuring that ocean conditions are suitable for Nippers to enter the water,
that the requisite water safety personnel are on hand, and that necessary paper work has been completed and
signed off. This season we again checked the swimming capabilities of our Nippers prior to the season by
conducting pool swims at Belfast Aquatics. The results of these swims were used to help determine the number of
water safety personnel we needed to provide during our ocean sessions. We need all current and prospective
Nippers for 2015-16 to take part in these swims, either in our scheduled sessions or during their own visits to
Belfast Aquatics in Port Fairy.
This year we again had mainly good conditions for our Sunday sessions and consequently had plenty of
enthusiastic youngsters eager to increase their water safety and surf knowledge whilst enjoying a fun and friendly
atmosphere. One memorable early January session was conducted in pouring rain - but even that couldn’t dampen
the enthusiasm of the attending Nippers! This season was the second year of the mandatory wearing of the pink
Nippers rash vest which, together with orange vests for our qualified water safety people and green vests for our
trainee water safety people, made East Beach not only much safer but also much more colourful! The pink vests
enable us to more easily spot an athlete under the water, whilst the other colours make it much easier for myself
and fellow Age Managers to ensure we have the required number of helpers for each activity.
Page 9 of 30
In particular I’d like to thank our regular Age Managers; Anthony Dixon, Jock Serong, Brad Mullins, Brooke Greene,
Scott Moore, Antonia Balmer and Jenny Boyer, as well as regular parent helpers; Jodie & Leon Carey, Kim
Conheady, Peter Hansen, Ange Hipwell, Ondrea Howie, Gary Kennedy, Jack Lawry, Mick McGoldrick, Jason
Puschenjak, and many others who assisted both in the water, on the beach, and at the uniform and clothes stand.
Big thanks also to Simeon Balmer and his BBQ team – the outcry on the day that Simeon was away and we had no
BBQ was particularly memorable!
Thanks also to all our “ex-Nipper” teenagers who helped out with water safety with a particular mention to Henry
Brock, Finn Cashill, Darcy Chandler, Ed Delany, Eva Dixon, Mimi Dixon, Mark Finch, Jack Green, Blair
Hetherington and Sami Zehir.
I cannot stress enough how important these contributions are – we’re all volunteers and without this buy in from so
many people it would be extremely difficult to run the program.
As well as a large contingent of locals we also had the usual influx of “summer locals” from Hamilton, Ballarat,
Melbourne, Hobart and various other localities who all make an invaluable contribution to our program.
Due to a number of factors this season we had limited competition against other clubs and regions with the main
problem again being that the State Championships, although being held in Warrnambool, were again scheduled
over the “Folkie” weekend when many of our families and Nippers already have prior commitments. Despite this
nippers Tilly Balmer, Oscar Pollock, Lekaya Plant, Kalani Plant, and Bonnie Williamson did compete in
Warnnambool so our thanks go out to them and their families. We’ll be trying to lift our competition participation rate
in 2015-16 and encourage any parents that are particularly keen to let me know early in the new season.
Our Nippers Awards for this season were as follows:
Best Performer
Age Managers Award
Age
Under 7
Girls
Poppy Myers
Boys
Charlie
Anastasopoulos
Girls
Charlotte Carmichael
Caitlin Gapes
Boys
Francisco Cognian
Liam McGoldrick
Under 8
Freya Byrne
Oscar Hill
Tana Nedziwe
Emily Edwards
Charlie Clancey
Joseph Conlan
Under 9
Lekaya Plant
Oliver Myers
Isabella Condon
Jordyn Edney
Charlie Adams
Fionn McGoldrick
Under 10
Maddie Green
Oscar Pollock
Ruby Conlan
Ollie Dixon
Nick Northeast
Angus Kennedy
Under 11
Bridget Delany
Charlie Searby
Tilly Balmer
Lexi Finnigan
Toby McMullin
Riley Edwards
Under 12
Melia
Anastasopoulos
Charlie Edney
Raph Serong
Dimity Chandler
Griffin Lay
Malin Atkins
Under 13
Bonnie Williamson
Sean Cashill
Meg Dixon
Izzy Finnigan
Riley Mullins
Hamish McDougall
Under 14
Siena Chandler
Sami Zehir
Olivia Wakely
Tommy Fletcher
This season’s champion Nipper award went to Bonnie Williamson who was rewarded not only for a great year,
but for several consecutive seasons of excellence. We look forward to another big year from Bonnie coming up.
Season 2014-5 was again a step forward for both the Nippers program and the club overall and I look forward to
another great season in 2015-16!
Gerard Cashill, Nippers Coordinator.
Page 10 of 30
New Year’s Eve street collection 2014
Lachlan Murrihy – men’s ski race
Nipper’s float, New Year’s Eve street procession
Jake Hetherington winner men’s board race, Anglesea
Page 11 of 30
Shearwater boat crew, “Aussie titles” Tugan beach, Queensland 2015
Launching the ducks, 2015 “Duck Derby”, Moyne river
Page 12 of 30
End of the “Duck Derby”
Surf Boat
Once again our Shearwaters boat crew were busy competing during the summer, participating at over 10 Carnivals
from the 1st at Rosebud & finishing up at the Gold Coast QLD at the Australian Titles.
There were many highlights again with a few low ones as well. We again (3rd time in a row) won Gold in our
Division at the Vic Masters at Lorne. We proudly won a pennant at our own Carnival rowing over the top of Port
Campbell on the line. We were also successful in the Navy Series winning the A Reserve title at St Kilda. We finally
finished our campaign with some spectacular crashes at the Aussies “when we go out we do it well” in the biggest
conditions I have ever rowed in. We must acknowledge John & Freda Forbes for once again transporting our boat
by road to Queensland and back, a big trip.
With the possibility of a new surf boat next season (thanks in a big way to Nicole Dwyer) and with many people
taking up surf boat rowing, things look very promising for the coming 2015/16 season.
Shaun Murrihy, Surf Boat Captain.
Major Projects
As our Club membership continues to grow, so does our need of equipment, facilities and trainers.
Our Board of Management has highlighted as our #1 priority a major building development project. This aims to
ensure our Club is able to attract, train and equip members with the skills in surf rescue and first aid that are the
core responsibilities of our Club.
The building project will give us:
•
a focal point and public presence at our East beach location
•
will be the administration and training hub for our region
•
will provide much needed emergency and competition equipment storage and maintenance area.
The $500K project is currently at the planning approval stage with strong support from Moyne Shire Council, our
local community and Life Saving Victoria. Funding grants from Isobel and David Jones Family Foundation
($11,700) and Moyne Shire Community Assistance Fund ($20K) have enabled us to engage architect Jacob Kelly
and as a result, complete plans for the extension to our current Shire owned building.
We are currently seeking further grants and will involve the Moyne Shire community in a fundraising effort, which
should see the beginning of construction in 2016.
The club’s Building project sub-committee consists of: Ian Powell, Paul Buchanan, Martina Murrihy, Neil Dyson,
and Jim Chambers.
Plans can be viewed at “the Charlies on East’ café at the Club building.
Paul Buchanan, Major Projects Officer.
Page 13 of 30
Existing Building – North Elevation
Proposed Building – North-West Elevation
Page 14 of 30
Proposed – Street Level
Proposed toilet for
disabled
persons
Proposed meeting/training area
Proposed office
Proposed entrance
to Club life
saving centre
Existing entrance to
restaurant
Existing - restaurant area
Proposed – Beach Level
Proposed - wet training, storage and maintenance area
Existing members
change rooms
and toilets
Existing - wet storage area and support rooms
Page 15 of 30
Existing ramp to beach
Property Lease
“Charlie’s on East”, under the ongoing management of Bill and Di Foran, and their daughter Emma, has continued
to flourish. As well as providing many a coffee for Nipper watchers, and numerous delicious meals for patrolling
Club members and the general public alike, Charlie’s also provides a valuable income stream for the Club. As well
as its usual function as a café-restaurant, Charlie’s is also available for special functions such as weddings and
conferences and I encourage all club members to support the business and make it known to your family and
friends.
We’re pleased that Charlies have exercised the next option on their lease – and also very pleased for Emma and
her partner Mark, who this season welcomed a new member to the Charlie’s team – their daughter Annabelle.
Jenny Boyer, Liaison Officer
Club Membership
Category
Male
Female
Total
Junior Active Members (5 – 13 years) – Nippers
138
134
272
Cadet Members (13 – 15 years)
8
12
20
Active Members (15 – 18 years)
10
10
20
Active Members (18 years and over)
51
28
79
Associate
29
33
62
Life Member
9
4
13
General (Marine Rescue)
18
1
19
Total
263
222
485
Assistance given by the Club
Assistance
Events
Beach clean-up carried out by patrols
40
First Aid administered
12
Preventative actions taken
36
Swimmer assistance
0
Rescue by Type – IRB
1
Page 16 of 30
Patrol Hours
Last Name
First Name
Rostered Hours
Adamson
Balderstone
Balmer
Balmer
Beekhof
Boyd-Walsh
Susan
Caroline
Antonia
Meg
Robert
Charlotte
27.5
36.5
74.5
61.5
47
55.5
5
19.25
59.75
35
42
33
Boyer
Buchanan
Buchanan
Canfield
Cashill
Cashill
Jenny
Paul
Meghan
Gina
Gerard
Finn
47
84.5
61.5
45
47
39.5
47.25
85.5
22
37.25
47.25
14.25
Chambers
Chambers
Chandler
Chandler
Conheady
Cooper
James
Flurry
Darcy
Siena
Isabella
Scott
51
55.5
61.5
55.5
32.5
47
50.5
16
18
16
6.25
45.25
Crosier
Crosier
Dalton
Dalton
Dalton
Delany
Zac
Mason
Tania
Maddie
Gregory
Kate
45
38
45.5
9.5
44
23
41
27
42
34
28
19
Delany
Dempsey
Dixon
Dixon
Dixon
Dunens
Edward
Scott Geoffrey
Anthony
Eva
Mimi
Oscar
30
61.5
79.5
0
0
38
3
30.5
45.5
24.75
23
33
Dwyer
Eckert
Farley
Finch
Finnigan
Finnigan
Dean
Alexandra
Adam
Mark
Helen
Amy
91
38
30
55.5
57
47
75.25
26.5
24
21.25
61.5
31.75
Giblin
Gleeson
Green
Green
Gregory
Hamilton
Rachel
Luke
Brooke
Jack
Mark
Luke
36
26.5
34
32.5
76
33.5
18.5
3.5
13.5
5
44
30.5
Hansen
Hetherington
Peter
Catherine
32.5
45.5
16.5
37
Page 17 of 30
Patrolled Hours
Hetherington
Hetherington
Hetherington
Hetherington
Hill
Scott
Blair
Tyler
Jake
Peter
45.5
49
40.5
49
43
37
34.5
31
26
25.5
Hipwell
Howarth
Jones
Keegan
Lane
Lockett
Angela
Grace
Lewys
Tom
Brianna
Jordan
36
60.5
24
24
36
20.5
10.75
21
3.5
7
8.5
5
Lynch
Martin
McCosh
Moore
Moroney
Mullins
Jemma
Isaac
Adam
Scott
Sarah
Bradley
55.5
38
30
27.5
26.5
81
16
17
22
22
19.5
65
Murrihy
Murrihy
Murrihy
Murrihy
Murrihy
Murrihy
Shaun
Martina
Benjamin
Lachlan
Daniel
Samuel
47
54.5
55.5
43.5
47
34
71
45
41.5
37
31
4.5
Pannan
Plant
Plant
Riddle
SHARPLES
SHARPLES
Sharples
Kristen
Ilona
Mark
Aaron
Lola
CHRIS
Jack
67.5
36.5
30.5
20.5
35
36
31
51
32.5
22
10
16.5
11.5
8
Sharples
Solomon
Stewart
Thomas
Whitfield
Whitfield
Bridgette
Adrian
Don
Jesse
Paulette
Aftyn
36.5
66.5
91
70
36.5
23
4.75
44.5
60.5
56
27
3.5
Williams
Williamson
Wilson
Winnen
Taylor
Joel
Amy
Damien
55.5
67.5
70
26.5
16
28
37
9.5
Young
Zehir
Lachlan
Sami
30
30.5
20.5
6.5
Total Patrol hours served in 2014- 2015 by members of the Club:
Page 18 of 30
2082
Firebirds boat crew
Shearwater boat crew
Women’s boat crew in action, Lorne carnival
Oscar Dunens and Shaun Murrihy on patrol
Page 19 of 30
Moyneyana ocean swim 2015 - presentations
Moyneyana ocean swim 2015 - start
Bonnie Williamson – Champion Nipper
Nipper flag competition
Page 20 of 30
Presentation Night
Life Saving Victoria Awards
These are Surf Life Saving Australia awards issued by Life Saving Victoria.
Bronze Medallion 2014: Paulette Whitfield, Amy Wilson, Mark Gregory, Adrian Solomon, Grace Howarth,
Oscar Dunens, Alexandra Eckert, Gina Canfield, Kiera Farley, Brianna Lane, Aaron Riddle, Adam McCosh,
Ed Delany, Lukas Egger, Finn Cashill, Angela Hipwell, Isabella Conheady, Lachlan Young, Adam Farley,
Mark Finch, Scott Dempsey.
Surf Rescue Certificate: Aftyn Whitfield, Katherine Delany, Charlotte Boyd-Walsh, Siena Chandler.
IRB Drivers Award: Bob Beekhof, Jake Hetherington, Isaac Martin.
IRB Crew Certificate: Blair Hetherington, Tyler Hetherington, Lachlan Murrihy, Jesse Thomas.
Training Officer Bronze Medallion: Paul Buchanan, Shaun Murrihy.
Moyneyana Ocean Swim Award
This is an annual Club activity held early in the new year. It attracts over 260
swimmers and can only be run with the support of our members. Port Fairy Marine Rescue, and Warrnambool and
Port Campbell clubs help with running the event. The following Club members received awards this season.
First Male Club Patrolling Member to Finish - Lachlan Murrihy (16.06 minutes)
First Female Club Patrolling Member to Finish - Rosie Roberts (16.39 minutes )
Club Patrol Awards These awards recognise our volunteer patrolling members who give many hours to the
Club’s beach patrols.
Junior Male
Junior Male Runner-Up
Junior Female
Junior Female Runner-Up
Senior Male
Senior Male Runner-Up
Senior Female
Senior Female Runner-Up
Lachlan Murrihy 37 hours
Blair Hetherington 34.5 hours
Meg Balmer 35 hours
Charlotte Boyd-Walsh 33 hours
Dean Dwyer 75.25 hours
Shaun Murrihy 71 hours
Helen Finnigan 61.5 hours
Antonia Balmer 59.75 hours
Patrol Captain’s Awards Each patrol captain nominates a member of their patrol who has given exemplary
volunteer service to the patrol.
Patrol Group 1, Captain Paul Buchanan
Patrol Group 2, Captain Shaun Murrihy
Patrol Group 3, Captain Helen Finnigan
Patrol Group 4, Captain Scott Hetherington
Bradley Mullins
Paulette Whitfield
Bob Beekhof
Tania Dalton
Michael Lockett Memorial Board Michael Lockett was a member of our Club who died young. This award is
in his memory. This major Club award recognizes a senior patrolling member who has served the most volunteer
patrol hours and provided the most benefit to his or her patrol.
Paul Buchanan
Page 21 of 30
Tracy Trimby Memorial Cup Tracy Trimby was a Club cadet champion in 1974. He left Port Fairy for Darwin
and died young. His family donated the cup to honour him and to encourage cadet aged members of the Club.
This award goes to our best performing cadet: Lachlan Murrihy
Boyce Le Couteur Memorial Award for Juniors Boyce Le Couteur was a Port Fairy doctor and his surgery
occupied a site on the present Village Green. He was the Surf Club’s first President from 1951, and served in this
position for 9 years.
This award goes to our best performing junior aged member: Mimi Dixon
S.F.R. Hedditch Memorial Board Sidney Hedditch was a Club President and a tireless worker during the building
of the 1964 clubhouse and his wife was a dynamic member of the Club’s women’s auxiliary. The “Club Person of
the Year” award honours a member who has given consistent high value service to the Club throughout the year:
Male
Female -
Gerard Cashill
Catherine Hetherington
Pickles Maloney Board Graham Maloney supported the Club over several years and donated this shield to
recognise the outstanding service by volunteer patrolling members of the Club throughout the season. Volunteer
lifesaving duties remain the core work of our Club. This “Lifesaver of the Year” award recognises a member who
has provided exemplary performance in this field:
Male Bob Beekhof
Female - Helen Finnigan
Surf Club Sponsors and Major Supporters
Thank you to our Sponsors and Supporters:
Glaxo Smith Kline
Bendigo Bank Port Fairy
Port Fairy IGA
Surf Life Saving Australia
Life Saving Victoria
Shipwreck Coast Swim Series (Moyneyana Ocean
Swim) Moyneyana Festival
Port Fairy Folk Festival
The Department Of Environment & Primary Industries
Rotary Club Of Port Fairy
Sarah Roberts
Anthony & Fiona Giblin
Garry Lockett
Kim Trimby
Ken & Betty Sutherland
Canfield Family
Page 22 of 30
The Port Fairy Coastal Group
As a volunteer community group has been monitoring East beach erosion for about 3 years. This involves
taking detailed measurements at 12 GPS sited posts along the beach. Results are collated and passed
on to Moyne Shire Council and any other interested party. This has helped contribute to the Council’s
management planning of dune erosion at the old rubbish tip sites. The monitoring team consists of a surf
Club member who is the qualified ATV driver, and two members from the group.
The group supports the work that is currently being done by Council in restoring the dune and extension
of the rock sea wall. The group will continue to monitor the beach and this area in particular, to ensure the
ongoing effectiveness of sea wall. The top photo was taken in 2015 at post 5 and the bottom photo in
1996.
The Club believes this is a pragmatic approach to a difficult problem. Time will tell if a different approach
is required in the future.
Page 23 of 30
Marine Rescue Service
The 20014 – 2015 year has seen a large number of recreational vessels using the Port yet there has been a
significant drop in call outs for marine rescue. This is largely due to the increased safety being observed by
recreational fishers and perhaps a result of our extensive distribution of safety information booklets. In the past 12
months we have had 5 callouts for vessels broken down and we have continued our radio monitoring, giving out
weather reports and safety alerts on a daily basis.
We have entered a concerted effort to raise funds for our maintenance and training programs as well as seek
funding for a replacement rescue vessel receiving a commitment from the Port Fairy Folk Festival for $100,000.
More government and community funding is being sought with a target of $750,000 by 2016-2017.
The response from the community for funding has been fantastic and Max Holmes with the help of Peter Robertson
has overseen the fund raising program. The donation box situated at the boat ramp has been a great success and
has been well supported by the users of the ramp collectively making a large financial donation toward our running
costs.
We have also set up a web site and a face book page to promote our work and advertise our service to mariners.
We have set up information displays at the caravan parks, service station, sports store and tourist information
centre where emergency information cards have been available to customers. Through the year we have
distributed over 1000 cards, the majority going to recreational fishers using the port. The card contains information
of who to call in an emergency listing the duty officer numbers for Port Fairy, Warrnambool and Portland.
We have seen some progress from the parliamentary inquiry conducted in September 2014 by the Victorian
Parliament Economic Development, Infrastructure and Outer Suburban/Interface Services Committee, in which
Port Fairy Marine Rescue gave evidence about our experiences and the state of the marine rescue service in
Victoria. As a result Port Fairy Marine Rescue Service has been invited to attend a workshop set up by Emergency
Management Victoria (EMV); to formulate a proposal for a single state financed marine rescue service. The
workshop held two meetings, one in May and another in April, and included a representative from each of the state
emergency services and a representative from each of the volunteer rescue services. The workshop dealt with the
issues of: governance, standards, accreditation, finance and communications network
A proposal for the formation of state marine rescue service was unanimously agreed and the recommendation
decided by the workshop, have now gone to the Inter Department Committee (IDC) in a report, where it will be
presented to the Emergency Services Minister who in turn will submit the report to cabinet. We now have to wait
and see what the government will decide but they are very much aware that the present situation of volunteers
having to raise funds to finance their operations, as well as the ad-hoc training, accreditation and communications
that preside across the state at present is unsustainable in the long term.
We have gained 4 new members during the year to be trained up to meet the accreditation level for crew on the
rescue vessel. Further courses for radio operator, first aid and coxswains are proposed for the next 12 months
giving members the chance to gain these qualifications.
The Port Fairy Marine Rescue Service has had a successful year fulfilling our obligation in maintaining a high
standard of rescue service for mariners. I would like to thank the executive for a fine job of administration and the
exceptional effort by members in fund raising and administering our programs. I would also like to thank our
members for their dedication to crew the boat and providing service to the community.
Russell Lemke, President
Port Fairy Marine Rescue Service
Page 24 of 30
Marine Rescue Service Committee
Name
Portfolio
Meeting Attendance
Russell Lemke
Max Atkins
Pauline McDonald
Pauline McDonald
Russell Lemke
Howard Willoughby
Pauline McDonald
Ian Powell
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Communications Officer
Training Officer
Liaison Officer to Surf Club
Surf Club Representative (ex-officio)
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Committee meetings were normally held at 7 pm., bimonthly at the yacht club rooms
Marine Rescue Sponsors and Major Supporters
Thank you to our Sponsors and Supporters.
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Gardens by the East Beach Caravan Park
Southcombe Caravan Park
Port Fairy & District Bank Bendigo Bank
Port Fairy Lions Club
Port Fairy Rotary Club
McLean's Pharmacy
Star of the West Hotel
Kerr & Co Livestock Pty Ltd
Robertson Real Estate
Port Fairy IGA
AG Agronomics
KPC Pastoral Pty Ltd
Robco Petroleum
Graheme & Judy Carbury
Alice Birrell
Bruce Edgley
David Goldstraw
Lockett Real Estate
Page 25 of 30
Page 26 of 30
APPENDIX
Vale Ray Stokie OAM,
by Paul Buchanan, Club Captain
It is an honour to speak today of Ray’s involvement in the Port Fairy SLSC. I met Ray when I came to Port Fairy
in1990 and joined the Club. Ray quickly became more to me than a fellow clubbie.
Our honour board is testimony to the service of many, many years given to our Club by Ray.
This training room already bears his name of the with the inscription:
Ray & Lorna Stokie Room
Dedicated to Ray and Lorna, in appreciation of
their commitment and work in support of the
Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club over 60 years.
May 2013
A quick summary of Ray’s contribution - 9 years as President, 6 years as Secretary, 4 as Treasurer and 2 as Club
Captain. First in 1960, last in 2007, a total of 57years on the executive.
Ray was a walking history book of our Club and anything else you wanted to know about Port Fairy, and especially
its residents. No doubt his job for many years as a Port Fairy Postie gave him the low-down!
Ray oversaw countless surf lifesaving awards, bronze requals, fundraisers, beach patrols, rescues, Moyneyana
activities, presentation nights, nipper sessions, & BBQs, let alone the myriad of administrative duties required of an
executive committee member.
He was involved in constructing 4 club buildings even down to helping make the concrete bricks for the building
preceding this one.
Along with Jim Chambers, Bob Beekhof and Wally Robertson, Ray was a dependable 7 a.m. swimmer - a feat not
many of us aspire to but are in awe of those crazy enough to do so regularly!
Ray was also a great walker, never having had the need for a car. Fred his dog was a willing companion.
When the Club instigate our annual Duck Derby, Ray spent many hours each summer manning the table in
Sackville Street selling tickets. If it wasn’t selling tickets for the Club, it was Lions or RSL.
You won’t find Ray in a lot of Club photos as he was not the one to seek accolades or to be out in front. Ray was a
‘doer’, always willing and prepared to do tedious but essential jobs.
Ray was my ‘go to’ man for many years for all things Surf Club. Sometimes over a glass of wine or a cuppa he was
a voice of reason- sometimes not to be taken too seriously, but full of good-humoured wisdom.
Ray was our Club historian, but more often, he was a part of that history. Such is his legacy to the Port Fairy Surf
Life Saving Club.
Our Club owes Ray a deep, deep, well of gratitude and he will be fondly remembered. Whenever I go down the
beach ramp in front of our clubhouse, I like many others here will picture him in speedos soaking up the sun, sitting
on ‘Ray’s rock’.
Page 27 of 30
Jack Woodrup, Ray Stokie, and Reg Harry in 1998, future visions for a 2000 clubhouse.
Photo – The Standard
Farewell Ray
Page 28 of 30
Presentation night 2015: Margaret Dalton, Kirain Dalton, Alan King & Paul Buchanan
Ray with the original Club alarm bell
Page 29 of 30
Financial statements and Auditor’s reports
Page 30 of 30