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1982

SURF SAFETY DAY

The club hosted its first 'Surf Safety Day' on March 7th 1982, advising interested surfers/swimmers of what dangers to look for when in the surf. Lifesavers provided various displays of rescue techniques, along with practical water safety procedures. This very timely 'Surf Safety Day' followed the wild and wonderful days of Noosa under the influence of Cyclone Abigail.

FIRST ANNUAL DINNER

In May 1982 the club's first Annual Dinner was held at Noosa Bowls Club. More than 150 guests attended, with the highlight of the evening being the presentation of awards to club members and supporters - in particular Patrolman of the Year (Bill Ross) and Lifesaver of the Year (Mike Gowland).

A special Basket presentation was made on the night to Darlene Timms for representing the club in the 1982 Miss Surf Girl Quest, and for her great effort in raising $3,300. Together with the government subsidy it attracted, this made a total of over $5,000.

BEER FESTIVAL CANCELLED

Plans for a beer festival at Pomona Showgrounds to raise $30,000 towards the cost of the new clubhouse were thwarted at the last moment - the breweries were unable to supply sufficient brands of imported beer because the majority of their suppliers and equipment were obligated to Commonwealth Games functions in Brisbane.

NEW SURF BOAT

The club launched its new surf boat, the 'Noosa Fair' on Tuesday 5th September 1982 - the ex-Maroochydore boat was re-named after the boat's major sponsor. There was a moderate swell running, which allowed the crew to thoroughly test out the newly reconditioned boat. The crew handled the conditions extremely well and showed that they would be a force to be reckoned with in the 1982/83 competition season.

Local identity Garth Prowd was appointed the club's first Publicitiy Officer. His main aims were to boost the club's membership base, in order to help make Sunshine Beach a safe beach for all, and also to organise fundraising for the clubhouse. A surf club without a clubhouse does present problems, but we were determined to succeed in our fundraising efforts.

In November 1982, the club was about to gain title of 690 square metres of land at Sunshine Beach to build its clubhouse on. It was reported in the local press that Noosa Shire Council was expected to draw up a 15 year lease, with its Finance Committee recommending that the terms include a provision for a $50 per annum rental for the first five years, with an increase of not more than CPI level for the remaining period of the lease.

1983

COMPETITION

During the 1982/83 summer season, the club showed that it was developing a good competitive team by placing second in a five-way carnival at Coolum in January. Noosa Heads came first, with Coolum third, followed by Marcoola and Rainbow Beach.

VANDALS STRIKE

In contrast to highlights such as these, an unfortunate incident also took place this season. Vandals struck, ripping out the floor and seats of the beach tower and then pushing the structure into the surf. Club Captain Mike Gowland stated that he was naturally disappointed, especially as the tower was unusable during the busy Australia Day weekend.

FIRST BUILDING PLANS

Local Architects Maurice Hurst and Neil Harris, and Draftsman John Roberts were elected to the building committee. At a later meeting, Architect Maurice Hurst gave an outline and showed plans of the proposed building, which had been passed by Council on principle and would cost approximately $46,000.

Architects working on the project were keen to keep the building low profile, to complement the natural scenery and protect the fragility of the area's sand cliffs. The building was to be located at the rear of the carpark so that trees could be retained. There was much to do - affiliations to be arranged with Surf Life Saving Australia, Surf Life Saving Queensland, and Sunshine Coast Branch; equipment had to be purchased and stored; and perhaps most importantly lifesavers had to be trained for the first official surf patrol of Sunshine Beach. These volunteers would be wearing the official club colours - designated as black, yellow and red.

BUILDING FUND

Many local businesses and organisations supported the new club with donations of money, equipment such as rescue boards, oxy-viva resuscitator, and training manikins. Special clubhouse fundraising events were also being organized. One in particular was a luncheon for over 1000 people in the home of Rose Dowd in Belmore Terrace. Several substantial donations to the clubhouse building fund were made that day.

CLUBHOUSE LAND LEASE

Stop press: February 1983 - Sunshine Beach SLSC was granted leasehold rights over land adjacent to the existing carpark for the purpose of commencing building of a clubhouse. Gordon Simpson, MLA and Mrs Marjorie Tripp, resident of Sunshine Bewach, were official guests at the 'turning of the sod' for the new clubhouse on Sunday 10th April 1983.

At the ceremony, President Vic Guest paid tribute to the many organizations (including Noosa Lions and Lionesses and Rotary Clubs) that helped raise the necessary finance, the donations of labour and materials, and the services of Architects Stenders, Wright and Partners, in association with Hurst and Harris, Surveyor David Lau, Solicitor Drew Pearson and Engineers Anthony Todd and Partners.

The remaining funds comprised a $50,000 loan from Westpac Bank, $25,000 raised by the club through fundraising activities and substantial donations from the Dowd family of Sunshine Beach, David Allen and Marjorie Tripp, as well as government subsidy. The President also said that the Noosa Shire Council had bent over backwards to help, in particular Bert Walmsley and John Kelly.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Soon after the start of construction, vandals and thieves struck the club again, setting back funds ofr the new clubhouse by at least $500. Two expensive laminated beams were stolen from the building site just five days after delivery, with bags of concrete opened and filled with water. However, with plenty of help from members, friends and volunteers, the construction forged ahead, with the hope that the new clubhouse would be fully operational by October 1st, ready for the 1983/84 season - a welcome change from the 3 x 2 metre tin shed that the club had operated from since its inception in 1981! More...

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