Sports

Yamba SLSC Presentation Night Lifesaver of the Year Lloyd Palmer

Yamba SLSC honour their best

A gathering of approximately eighty members, sponsors and official guests was in attendance last Saturday night for Yamba Surf Life Saving Club’s Annual Presentation held at the Yamba Golf Club.

The night was an opportunity for the club to publicly recognise and acknowledge the significant contribution made by members during the season. It was also an occasion to thank the various club sponsors for the financial and other support given to the club during the course of the year to help it continue its operations.

Club president, Joe Dougherty, highlighted the valuable efforts made by members in ensuring a safe swimming environment for the wider community on Main Beach and congratulated patrol members on their efforts with undertaking rescues, preventative actions and first aid treatment throughout the season. He also acknowledged the importance of the education side of the club with members being trained for lifesaving awards and noted the great results attained in the competition arena.

The major club award – the Club Person of the Year for 2018/2019 was awarded to Simon Worboys for his club involvement, particularly patrol work and assistance with water safety for Nippers during their Sunday morning activities.

The most significant lifesaving award of the night – the Col Goddard Award for Lifesaver of the Year which was donated and presented by Melinda Goddard was awarded to a very surprised and honoured Lloyd Palmer for his dedication to the call of ‘Vigilance and Service’. Lloyd’s contribution has been made across both the senior and Nipper ranks and he has also been heavily involved in the new drone surveillance being undertaken by the club.

Other awards during the night were presented to the winners in the Carl Schaeffer handicap surf races throughout the season. The overall winner of the season pointscore, Scott Butler received his prize from club Life Member and prize donor, Geoff Schaeffer.

On the competition side of activities the club had a successful season with five boat crews competing in various events. The medallists at World, Australian and State Titles – the ‘Boilers’ ladies boat crew and the ‘Kooks’ Men’s Reserve crew were presented with their respective medals and Josh Bridges received the Boat Captain’s award for his contribution in this arena. Masters medallist Peter Rheinberger was also presented with his State Masters medals.

During the season just on 50 lifesaving awards were gained by members in various areas. It is this education side of the club that is important in training lifesavers for the future and in enabling those who already have their Bronze Medallion to further enhance their skills by training for higher awards. All those who were involved in the education side of club activities were thanked for their significant contributions in this regard.

The new club season begins on July 1. The Yamba SLSC Annual General Meeting will be held on July 28 and patrols on Main Beach will recommence at the end of September.