Dragons Unveil New Committee

Cooloola Dragon Boat Club AGM

The Cooloola Dragon Boat Club held its Annual General Meeting in October and some crucial decisions and appointments were made.

Pam Gorey retired as Club President after holding the role for the past two years. Pam has steered the club through a tumultuous period having held the position during the worst times of the Covid pandemic. All members of the club wish to thank Pam for her unstinting service and friendship.

Robyn Clarke was duly elected as this year’s President and will take over the role immediately.  Robyn brings a wealth of business experience having owned and operated a busy motel near Crow’s Nest for many years.

Incidentally, Robyn’s husband Rob (yes, they are sometimes known as ‘the Robs’) has volunteered as a cook at the club’s Dragon’s Lair Café. We welcome Robyn to her new role and know that the Presidency of the club is in good hands.

In other business, the AGM took the decision that Heather Dickson should continue in the role as Vice President for the coming year. This will be the second year that Heather will hold the role of Vice President (not too bad for a ‘bass-playing muso’).

Kerri Southern was returned as the Club Treasurer, a role she has held for the past two years.

Elaine Dimock was re-elected as Club Secretary to begin her ninth year in the role. The club also bestowed life membership on Elaine in recognition of the great service she has provided over the years.  Many thanks Elaine!

The entire club welcomes all the office holders and looks forward to a competitive and successful year ahead.

Profile:  Sandra Wooster Life Member and Head Coach

Sandra is one of the long-term members of the Cooloola Dragon Boat Club. She is a life member of the club and is currently the head coach.

Sandra’s dragon boat coaching career began with a coaching course in Bundaberg in 2013. She gained hands-on experience under then-Head Coach Gayle Bennett. In April 2014, Sandra was a member of the Queensland Regional Team that took part in the national competition in Melbourne.

Gayle retired in December 2016 and Sandra took over as the club’s Head Coach. Since that time, Sandra has been the Cooloola Dragon Boat Club’s Team Manager for the Wide Bay Series of dragon boat regattas. She has also been the Team Manager for the Wide Bay Warrior teams that compete each year at Lake Kawana. Sandra has also regularly represented the Wide Bay region at the Dragon Boat Queensland meetings. Along with her “official” roles,

Sandra is one of the cooks who volunteers at the club’s Dragon’s Lair Café on Tin Can Bay market days. As well as these roles she and husband Chris host the club’s annual end-of-year party at their property.

In addition to her Dragon Boat commitments, Sandra served as a volunteer at the XXI Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April 2018.

More recently, Sandra has been selected as the Team Manager for the Central Queensland Team that will compete in the National Titles which will be held in late-April 2023 at Wodonga.

Sandra’s extensive experience as team member, drummer, head coach and team manager is an essential part of the club’s organisation. Her commitment to the club and her generosity with her time go a long way to making the club competitive, fun, and friendly for all members (and guest paddlers).

All club members join together in thanking Sandra for her many efforts for, and great input to, the club over the years.

Toni Archer