Surf lifesavers go above and beyond

by Justin Schooth

The surf club held its annual awards ceremony for its Golden Jubilee year, on June 20.

The club had a successful year maintaining its goal of ‘Zero Preventable Deaths and Injuries in the Rainbow Beach Area’.

The members provided 4866 volunteer patrolling hours on the beach looking after 26673 swimmers, 83073 total beach goers, carrying out 1733 preventative actions, 151 first aids and 18 life saving rescues.

A mean feat for such as small club. The awards ceremony is held each year to recognize those members who have gone above and beyond (and also some who have gone down and out !).

Highlights of the afternoon included Ron Organ receiving his life membership from SLSQ President Ralph Devlin, as well as Champion Lifesaver among a plethora of other awards.

Anton Klekar received the ‘Peter Bargenquast’ award for most outstanding junior member.

The Cliff Kuhn award for most outstanding executive member went to Mark Lawler for his outstanding work as Chief Training Officer, and Brad Hethorn best senior member.

On the not-so-serious side, Mark ‘Nana’ Perry won the coveted dunny seat for his ability to do a ten-point turn in an IRB in 20cm of water and Tasman McClintock took out the ‘Harden Up’ award for the third time.

The club is always looking for more members and will be holding the first of its three Bronze Medallion training camps starting in the first week of the September school holidays. For more information contact the club on 5486 3018 ext 5.

Congratulations to other awardees:

Outstanding first year Zac Schroder                                      

Encouragement award Emily Brantz

IRB award   John Greaney

Best junior member Remy Hethorn

Most unusual experience Sarah O’Brien and  Anton Klekar

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