LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
GOLDEN Beach Surf Life Saving Club would like to reiterate that it is currently in recess, not closed.
The circumstances of several of our long standing committee members have changed and they are unable to continue their previous commitments to the surf club.
We still have all necessary equipment available to enable new and enthusiastic community members to join the surf club and provide the necessary commitment to get this club up and running again.
This is an extremely dangerous beach and a patrol on the beach for the summer months would enable the local community, holiday makers and visitors to swim and play on our beach with more confidence.
It may take more drownings before Life Saving Victoria is prepared to give us any support.
Commitment from the local community in the future may speed up the process and possibly save lives.
We have asked many times for help from Life Saving Victoria with various issues.
For example we suggested that we would pay to have a patrol on our beach for the main holiday periods, but this idea was rejected.
It was suggested that we become affiliated with other clubs in an attempt to provide the numbers required by Life Saving Victoria to safely patrol our beach.
This was also rejected.
We have had a successful Nippers program running, with three qualified aged manager members and appropriate water safety personnel.
Unfortunately, lacking affiliation, we were unable to continue this program.
With Nippers being the future of our club, not only are they no longer participating they are no longer assisting in the future development of our club.
We have been requesting assistance with radio reception issues since 2012, and as yet have still not had a positive response.
We have bought all required equipment to run patrols on our beach as stipulated by Life Saving Victoria guidelines and have still not had any support from it.
We have passed gear inspections every year without fail.
We have tried.
Our executive committee would like to thank those members of Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club who have taken the time to support and mentor our club.
Our thanks also goes to those members of the local community who have supported us in recent years.
And lastly a big thank you to all of our club members for the help and commitment.
We wish the Golden Paradise Beach Men’s Shed all the best for the next two years, as it is leasing our premises.
