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1989/90

FIRST BUILDING LOAN REPAID

One of the highlights of this season was the completion of our first building loan...a great effort by all officers and members of the club since 1981. Their initial determination to unencumber our guarantors as quickly as possible never waivered. In turn, the following people were honoured at this season's annul dinner, where they received plaques in appreciation of their confidence in our club: Vic Guest, Michael Gowland, John Roberts, Drew Pearson, Janis and Rod Evans, Mark Campbell, Michael Horner, Max and Sue Halloway.

JUNIORS AND CADETS

This season also saw the introduction of many Juinor and Cadet members. Over the years previous to this, it was realized that to truly secure the future of the club, we needed junior lifesavers coming through the ranks. Due to the fantastic efforts of Janis and Rod Evans, the club established a great junior base upon which to build.

Each year Sunshine Beach members continue to participate at Branch and State levels, and continue to improve in their performances. Russell Green finally broke through, after years of effort, to win the Champion Lifesaver of the Sunshine Coast Branch, a testimony to the life saving skills that this club stalwart possesses.

In the arena of the clubhouse, Bar Manager Glenn Puckeridge and his staff have also maintained and improved their high standards of service. In the 1989/90 season, our upstairs area underwent many improvements in terms of member comfort, including new furniture. Upgrading of the outside area took place, as well as relocation of the exterior stair to enable landscaping improvements.

VALE - MARJORIE TRIPP

It was also in this year that, sadly, Sunshine Beach SLSC instigator and historian Marjorie Tripp passed away, at the age of 83. For those who were lucky enough to meet her, Marjorie's enthusiasm in seeing the club established and successful will never be forgotten. She was made honorable life member in 1987.

A second Supporters Night function was organized for this season - a way for the club to thank those who had supported the club and its life saving activities.

Over 50 important and necessary awards were gained throughout this season including bronze medallions, advanced resuscitation certificates (ARC), ARC instructor's certificates, radio operator's certificates, and radio and IRB examiners certificates.

1990/92

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating our 10th successful year, the club continued to show growth in both active and associate areas. At season's end active members numbered approximately 130, and many of these were involved in the many rescues and first aid cases that occurred during this summer.

It was pleasing to again announce that no lives were lost between the flags at Sunshine Beach during the 1990/91 season. The life savers that year may well feel proud of their efforts and dedication in a season which tragically saw many people perish while swimming at unpatrolled beaches on the Sunshine Coast.

President Geoff Potter wrote that "having been associated with the club since its inception, I can confidently say that we have, in 10 years, achieved great success, while providing a safe swimming area at Sunshine Beach. We have built and paid for a beautiful clubhouse in which we take great pride.

"We possess the best of life saving equipment, from vehicles, IRBs, board and skis. But far from the material possessions and achievements there still exists that most important club spirit and pride that has, over the first ten years, made our involvement, whether active or associate, such an enjoyable and happy one."

With such club spirit and enjoyment the future of the Sunshine Beach SLSC is assured.

The club's annual dinner was held at the Noosa Bi-Centennial complex because of the numbers of members and their guests expected to help celebrate the first 10 years of the club.

SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED

In 1991, acting upon the advice of the State Liquor Licensing Commission, it was proposed that the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Supporters Association Incorporated be formed, and application be madefor licensed club premises.

1991/92

This summer season saw good old Mother Nature providing a succession of ugly weekends, with huge seas and 'beach closed' conditions.

On an open beach such as ours this was the second season where weather conditions affected our standards.

It is very hard to become enthusiastic about patrols when you are restricted to the club truck or clubhouse for five hours at a time due to the weather!

VALE - SEAN HARRINGTON

A particularly low point for the club was the tragic passing of past junior and senior club champion Sean Harrington (1967 - 1992). The Harrington family donated the Harrington Memorial Trophy in his memory, with the coveted award being for the Best Life Saver of the Year. Ramon Pettigrove won the inaugural trophy in 1992.

Quote from Club's Annual Report:

President Rod Evans: "Firstly, the inaugural year of Junior Activities: Hilary Harding and her team have shown the skeptics our beach is not too wild and there is plenty of support in the club. They found their own sponsors and put no pressure on our budgeting at all. The injection of this enthusiasm has been fantastic, and the new members, if we can retain them, can give us a depth the club has never had."

LICENSED PREMISES APPLICATION

It was pleasing to note there was not one objection to our application for licensed premises. The benefits of being a licensed club are many - but the most important are the financial savings, and not havingto apply for monthly or special permits whenever the club wished to hold a function.

New legislation was introduced into State Parliament to allow licensed clubs to admit temporary members. This was most welcome, as it meant we were able to admit overseas, interstate and intrastate visitors, whose place of residence was at least 40 km from the club.

Even though the inclement weather continued for most of the season, which basically brought training to a halt, we still managed to achieve the following awards: 5 Surf Life Saving Certificates, 25 Bronze Medallions, 8 ARC and First Aid, 11 Radio Operators and 2 Jet Boat Crew members.

Staying afloat this 'rough seas' season was a problem for some IRB Drivers (8 cartons in fact). More...

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