IT’S THAT time of year where more bracing weather sees fewer people in the water and the hard-working volunteer lifesavers hang up their red and yellow caps. It’s also when we get to thank them for their exceptional service at local award ceremonies.
I am so very honoured to be patron of the small and mighty Mudjimba Surf Life Saving Club and the equally gutsy and longer-standing guardians of the surf, Marcoola Surf Club.
Marcoola has topped the league table of all the Surf Life Saving Clubs in Queensland this year winning Queensland’s Surf Club of the Year. Their Queensland trophy was proudly on display at their recent club awards night as they partied with a Havana Nights theme, a great meal from the club’s outstanding kitchen and live music. It is so good to see people enjoying themselves.
The awards saw many volunteers recognised for their service, with special mention to Jude Allsopp, Trev Allsop and Noel Messer who received their 25 Year Club Service Awards – that is true dedication and loyalty. I couldn’t imagine the number of volunteer service hours this time of service equates to.
I was also honoured to hand out the Volunteer of the Year Fiona Simpson MP Award to Andy Cullity whose enthusiasm, leadership and energy is infectious and inspires club members to fully embrace all that Surf Life Saving and their Club has to offer.
It was a great night to spend with so many passionate people that are helping to keep our beaches safe.
No less passionate and equally inspiring was the awards ceremony for Mudjimba Surf Club.
This club punches above its weight and now has such a great space for hire by the general community.
I was delighted to present the club’s Junior Surf Life Saver of the Year trophy to Kendal O’Neall.
Congratulations to all award recipients and everyone who makes these clubs tick. They are truly an inspiration.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can be of assistance with.