Warbesulisac June 2022

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2022 AT 7 PM – 10 PM

Join us to celebrate another successful season and recognise the contributions of our members and supporters. Tickets will be available in the coming days. Please register via our event calendar – we’d love to see you there!

The Views, 200 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne

Dress: Semi Formal

On Sunday 17th April, WBSLSC hosted the Support our Youth – Sandy Point fundraiser. The event was a partnership with Tommo from Sandy Point General Store that aimed to raise funds to support and empower young people in Sandy Point to help them and our community to build a positive future.

The evening saw a large number of people join us in the social room at the Surf Club for a great view, drink, BBQ and auction. The event was a huge success and raised $3,100 from the auction of Boards donated by Tommo, auction of other items, donations and food and beverage sales.

These funds have been gratefully received by members of our WBSLSC youth.

Enormous thanks to Tommo for his initiative in suggesting this event and his donations to the auction. We also would like to acknowledge our auctioneer for the night, Ross Neilson and all the WBSLSC members that volunteered their time to run the bar, BBQ, and promote the event.

Thank you also to everyone that attended and supported this important event in Sandy Point.

It takes a small army of dedicated volunteers to keep our club running and we are calling on volunteers for the 2022/23 season.

The Organisation Chart below shows roles that we filled this past season in blue and roles which were absorbed by others and sometimes were not done at all in yellow.

There are a range of roles, and we are seeking expressions of interest from people interested in sharing their expertise and helping around the club.

Not everyone currently in positions will be standing again, so if any of these roles appeal to you please contact anyone on the Board. If any of these roles trigger an “I wonder what would be involved” moment please reach out to Richard at [email protected].

Marine Search and Rescue at Sandy Point

NEW INDEPENDENCE FROM THE CLUB – WESTPAC HELICOPTER STRUCTURE

First things first: We are sure the wider community appreciates the efforts of many past and present members of the MSAR unit for their work to keep the public safe. Many regular members of the Club have also done their bit to support and fundraise for the MSAR unit over many years.

Building for Growth: The resources to properly run the unit have been gradually pulled together. Since 2018 MSAR have received specific government funding to meet the group’s needs for training and operations. In 2020, the Rob O’Brien base was opened and in 2021 a grant was obtained for a dedicated motor vehicle.

Now is the time: There have been moves for over a decade for the unit to have more independence. At the same time, the expectations of the public have continued to increase and there have been some well publicised incidents around the coast which have ended up in the Coroner’s Court. Over the last two years, Life Saving Victoria have employed two people with massive experience in the Victorian Water Police to boost their resources in the area.

The Problem: The board of the surf lifesaving club have prioritised the viability of the unit over the next 10 to 20 years and ensuring that every member comes back safely. The board has been in the difficult position of being legally responsible but not having the full set of skills to provide the necessary  oversight in this increasingly demanding environment. The MSAR group have been looking to streamline communications.

First Steps: Changes were put in place in 2020 for the unit to work directly with Life Saving Victoria who would manage the relationship with Emergency Management Victoria (who in turn represent the Federal Government) with the MSAR unit copied into all those communications. From time to time there have been robust debates over direction but in the main, people have apologised and urged everyone to be on board with the increasingly higher standards and requirements for compliance.

The exciting news: The Club has secured an arrangement with Life Saving Victoria for the unit to operate as an independent unit in the same way as the Westpac Helicopter – with training and operations by volunteers but with the administration, sourcing of finance and the equipment maintenance all managed by Life Saving Victoria and with the input and direction of professionals to training and compliance. The MSAR members can do what they do best out on the water. Long term budgeting flowing into full funding is an extraordinary opportunity. Another benefit of this arrangement is the ‘grandfathering’ of awards for current members which allow the MSAR members to continue their work.

Recruiting members over the long term was a critical objective for the Club and having the unit still part of lifesaving gives a ready-made pathway for active members and parents to become involved in MSAR as well as active members of other clubs, just like the Westpac helicopter service.

Life Saving Victoria are keen to work with members to finalise the details and talk through the mechanics of the best ways to start working together to deliver a great service.

Waratah Beach SLSC