Hipsters and Hippies celebrate over 5500 hours and 12 lives saved

Congratulations to the giants of the club with 100-plus patrolling hours for the season (hours + water safety hours): Mel Dennien (117 + 17.75), IRB Award winner Stuart Wilson (115.25 + 39), Vicky Schooth (100.50 + 37), Best Senior Member Mark Lawler (111.75 + 32.75), Best Club Member Ron Organ (102 + 32.75), Cliff Kuhn Award winner and President, Shane Handy (132.25), Champion Lifesaver for the second year running Anton Klekor (177.75 + 28.25), Club Captain Brad Hethorn (129.75 + 40.50), Absent: Dan Robertson (100.7)
That’s right! Over 5500 hours on the beach patrolling, as well as keeping our Nippers safe every Sunday morning.
Club Captain Brad Hethorn addressed the RBSLSC Awards evening, themed Hipsters and Hippies, “This season our members performed 12 rescues, another five major incidents, over 10000 swimmers between the flags, nearly 30000 public members on the beach, treated almost 400 blue bottle stings and advised over 1000 swimmers and craft users – well done team!”
Led by Mark Lawler, 30 cadets in two separate week-long live-in camps, and four adults over eight weekends were put through their paces to gain qualifications.
He thanked Nerissa Legge for organising Nippers over the last three seasons, to his amazing wife Tracey, “who has the food tent humming with all your cheerful helpers” and to ” humble and dedicated leader” Club President Shano, “the work you put in for this club is insane”.
Brad personally thanked Nigel Worthington, admin officer, Nicole Lunney, the team upstairs at the Supporters Club, Bruce, Tanya, Dave and the staff, as well as the amazing job running of the club that the executive do.
“I personally know each and every one of you, something I am very proud of, as this to me is what sets us apart from our bigger clubs down the coast. With just under 100 active members, we again achieved our goal of zero deaths between the flags.”
Many awards are listed in the photos captions, as well as:
100% Rostered Attendance Tas McClintock, Anton Klekor
Encouragement Award Rebecca Duggdale
Harden Up Lachlan Roche
Dunny Seat Award Matthew James
National Patrol Awards Five Year Mitch King, Anton Klekor, Don Reid, Stuart Wilson, Leah Schulz, Shannon Dennien
National Patrol Awards Ten Year Ashleigh Dodt, Greg Dodt, Kirsty McCarthy, Tasman McClintock, Emily Simpson
“We as a group sometimes don’t stop and think about what we actually do here, but it is massive. There are twelve families out there tonight with a loved one they can hold tight and tell them they love them.
“If it wasn’t for you people out there, that situation may be entirely different. So take the time to give yourselves a pat on the back because you deserve it.”
More images on: www.facebook.com/RainbowBeachCommunityNews/
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out RBSLSC member Floss Adams’ inspiring video on the Bronze Camp, showcased at the award night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK80KiGLGTc
- The Best Patrol Team – Team 2 – performed seven out of the 12 rescues, Patrol Captain Justin Schooth members present on the night: Mitch King, Vicki Schooth, Best Junior Patrol Member Jasmine Wintle, Best Junior Member Abby Schooth, and most Outstanding First Year, Hugh Gilmore
- A huge help, literally single handed he can set the beach up in record time, he also assisted in team five’s only rescue this season, the Most Efficient Patrol Member and a “damn nice bloke to boot” Michael Brantz
- Described as a joy to have on patrol, one of the first to lend a hand and he throws himself into gaining as many qualifications as the club can offer, Zac Shroeder wins the Peter Bargenquast Award
- The Most Unusual Experience Award had something to do with an IRB crewie falling in, then a driver flipping the boat, congratulations Edwin Thompson and Alex Wilson
- The previous and current administrators of the RBSLSC, Helen Brown and Nicole Lunney in their hippy garb