Woolamai Newsletter - June 2025 Edition
Web: www.woolamaibeach.org.au | Email: secretary@woolamaibeach.asn.au | Postal Address: PO Box 49, San Remo, VIC 3925 | Telephone: 0467 475 263
In this Edition:
President’s Report (June 2025)
Board Meeting Updates (April - June 2025)
Club celebrates end of 2024-25 season
Calling History Enthusiasts: Help Preserve Our Club’s Legacy!
Floating into off-duty season
President’s Report - Jason Close
President’s Report April - June 2025
We’ve reached the end of another season. With the incredible summer weather that kept going throughout autumn, we were kept busy with large numbers of visitors at our beaches.
It was a successful season. Everyone that visited our two patrolled beaches went home safely.
We performed more performed more than 25 rescues, thousands of preventative actions, provided first aid and responded to call outs to other beaches throughout the season.
Our members responded to a particularly difficult incident at Punchbowl near San Remo where 3 people were swept off rocks on the morning of Good Friday. One was able to get out of the water, however tragically one drowned and one was unable to be found after several days of searching.
Life Saving Victoria passed on some feedback from Victoria Police who led the search and they spoke of the professionalism, skills and willingness to assist of our members, they could not speak highly enough of those involved.
Ash Smith comes to the aid of unconscious patient at Smiths Beach
Ash Smith demonstrated urgency, initiative, resourcefulness in providing assistance to a man pulled unresponsive from surf at Smiths Beach on Friday 11 April.
Ash who was not on duty, was working at a nearby building site on the hill above Smiths Beach and saw a situation unfolding on the beach nearby.
A family of four were in difficulty in the water and were rescued by bystanders. A man in his 40s was pulled unresponsive from the surf.
Ash ran to the beach as bystanders brought the man to shore. A member of the public called for an ambulance. Ash opened up the unmanned Smiths Beach Rescue base and pulled out first aid/oxygen equipment and defibrillator.
Ash utilised his first aid/ CPR knowledge, checked for signs of life, placed the man in the recovery position, and administered oxygen therapy to assist the man who was semi-conscious but breathing. Ash called other Club members known to be nearby to come to assist.
Ash continued to assist the patient as other Club members and paramedics arrived and then helped paramedics transport the patient from the beach via the Club's mobile beach chair.
Without Ash's early intervention, the patient may not have survived until paramedics arrived.
It also demonstrates the importance of the Smiths Beach Rescue Base even when it is unmanned.
Congratulations Jordan
Congratulations to Jordan Kuerschner, our Director Life Saving Operations who has been announced as a finalist for the John Wishart Memorial Award - Victorian Life Saver of the Year.
The winner will be announced at this year’s Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence to be held at the Sofitel on Collins in August.
Jordan has had an outstanding season in his first as co-Club Captain. Jordan has led the Club’s life saving operations team, lifeguarded, been a member of the RWC (jetski) service, patrolled 100 hours, co-ordinated Bronze camp, competed for the Club at beach and IRB carnivals and been a positive influence and leader of our Club.
Good luck in August Jordan!
Club residence deck gets a makeover
During May, Club member Ryan Box led a team from the Dulux Group’s and Cabots graduate program to give the club residence deck a much needed refresh.
As part of the DuluxGroup’s graduate program, the 3rd years are encouraged to lead a community based project to support an organisation of their choosing. Naturally Ryan chose our Club.
The weathered timber was first cleaned using Cabot’s Deck Clean, then coated with two fresh coats of Cabot’s Aquadeck, enhancing its natural colour and protecting it for years to come.
We are very grateful to Ryan and the team from Cabots and Dulux for donating their time and products.
Thank you Rotary
In April we received the exciting news that the Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo would be donating $20,000 to the Club to support our Smiths Beach Rescue Base upgrade fundraising campaign.
On 17 May Gea Lovell, Rotary President and about a dozen members of the Rotary team visited Smiths Beach Rescue Base to present the Club with a cheque and inspect and tour the rescue base.
After a few photos and a tour of the rescue base, a small morning tea was enjoyed in the tower.
We are very grateful to Rotary for their support.
Smiths Beach Rescue Base upgrade fundraising campaign reaches its target
In May we received more exciting news that the Club will be receiving $50,000 towards the Smiths Beach Rescue Base upgrade project from the State Government’s Tiny Towns fund.
We are very grateful to the Victorian State Government and the support the project received from our local member, Jordan Crugnale MP.
Due to the generous support of the local community, the Rotary Club of Phillip Island, the Smiths Beachcombers Association, the Victorian State Government and Phillip Island Nature Parks, the Smiths Beach Rescue Base project has now reached its fundraising target.
Our Club is now able to confidently proceed with the project. We are now planning the upgrade, liaising with local authorities, and finalising project specifications. We expect to commence the project in the coming months.
Planting Day
On 10 May the Club held a successful planting day thanks to a Landcare grant and the efforts of Mark Merryfull from Phillip Island Nature Parks, Fi Blackmore, Louise Smith and a small but dedicated team of members. Over 200 new plants were added to the dunes around the Clubhouse.
Planting days will be an annual event as we need to do everything we can to protect and stabilise the dune system around our Clubhouse.
We would love to see some more volunteers join in next season.
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting will be held at the Clubhouse at 3pm on Saturday 26 July 2025.
The bar will be open after the meeting finishes. All members are welcome to join in for drinks and nibbles to celebrate the end of another season and the appointment of our Board for the 2025/26 season.
Keep your eye out for separate letters and posts with nomination and agenda details.
Nominations for positions on the Board can be made up until 5pm on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
Thanks to the Board
At the end of the season, as we approach the Annual General Meeting which will see a new Board appointed, I would like to express my gratitude to all members of the current Club Board - Fi Blackmore; Nick Reynolds; Jordan Kuerschner, Erin Close, Emma Gallagher, Phoebe Clark, Darrell Clark, Grant Edmunds and Heather Ridley. They’ve all worked extremely hard over and have achieved so much this season.
See you down the beach soon.
Regards,
Jason Close
President
Board Meeting Update - April to June 2025
Our 2025 Board Members
Board roles and contact details
Woolamai Beach SLSC - 2 April 2025 Board Meeting
Meeting - Murrumbeena & online
Present: Jason Close, Fi Blackmore, Nick Reynolds, Jordan Kuerschner, Erin Close, Phoebe Clark, Darrell Clark, Emma Gallagher, Heather Ridley, Grant Edmunds
Decisions
$60K of funds shifted from the Club’s Operations account into fixed term accounts to take advantages of increased interest rates.
Board supported Dave Ellison representing Club at San Remo Anzac Day Service and funded a wreath to be laid on behalf of Club.
Life membership nominations received and it was voted to refer to Life Member Nomination Committee.
General Business
Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Cross Council Working Group Water Safety Framework released. This involved input from Club. Future actions noted.
Our Club has been selected by Disabled Surfing Bass Coast as its preferred charity to support for a fundraising golf day to be carried out on 31 October 2025. The Club will receive proceeds from the event.
Presentation Night planning discussed.
Smiths Beach Rescue Base project update provided. Progress being made, quotes and approvals being sought. Fundraising and grants have almost covered the project.
Jason Close to attend Phillip Island and San Remo Rotary Meeting on 7 April to give a presentation about the Club and accept $2K Channel Challenge Market cheque.
Lifesaving Operations & Member Wellbeing -member fatigue being monitored as patrol sizes decline towards end of season. A number of social events will be held over Easter.
Assets -a big clean up of gear room has taken place, surplus mattresses from Clubhouse to be relocated to residence. Bunkroom upgrade to take place over winter.
Woolamai Beach SLSC - 7 May 2025 Board Meeting
Meeting online
Present: Jason Close, Fi Blackmore, Nick Reynolds, Jordan Kuerschner, Erin Close, Emma Gallagher, Heather Ridley, Grant Edmunds, Darrell Clark, Heather Ridley
Decisions
Two life membership nominations were endorsed by Life Membership Nomination Committee held on 6 May 2025. These were endorsed by the Board and now will be referred to the Annual General Meeting on 26 July for members to vote on the recommended appointments.
The Board confirmed that a call would be put out for life governor nominations ahead of AGM. Objectives and accountabilities of the role outlined. Board identified that it would be desirable to have 1-2 appointees.
General Business
End of season debrief discussion took place.
Some of the positives included: Club leadership; fewer on & off beach issues than last season; patrol standards; new Club-Captains shared role; Sunset Sips has worked really well; key stakeholder relationships developed relationships; successful Nippers program; wellbeing initiatives; training program, assets -getting stuff done
Some of the challenges included: volunteer fatigue; patrol strength/numbers as season progressed; filling patrols at Smiths Beach; Nippers parental volunteer contribution, handover continuity opportunities; Club Champs high workload; Clubhouse and residence accommodation concerns -failure of members to book, particularly junior members; events co-ordination; need for more senior patrolling members to attend pre-season patrol leadership day; tasks/gaps that arent immediately evident; comms gaps; how to address changes to Facebook for Under 16s.
Punchbowl incident (1 drowning/1 missing) on Good Friday involved several members whose efforts helping with the search were greatly appreciated. Andrew Crow did an excellent job representing Club as spokesperson to media outlets.
This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held at the Clubhouse on the afternoon of Saturday 26 July. The AGM will lead into drinks and an evening event at the Clubhouse. A number of Board members confirmed they intended to re-nominate.
Presentation Night to be held at Silverwater on Sat 31 May. Discussion of awards and planning for event.Venue booked, deposit paid. A small organising committee needs to be put together. Erin Close and Nick Reynolds to lead.
Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence to be held in August. Nominations now open. Club to purchase a table at the event for awardees and other Club leaders.
$20K donation for Smiths Beach offered to Club from Phillip Island and San Remo Rotary following visit to Rotary meeting on 7 April. A photo opportunity, morning tea and tour of rescue base with Rotary members to take place on 17 May 2025.
Planting Day to be held on 10 May. Mark Merryful from Phillip Island Nature Parks, Fi Blackmore & Louise Smith to co-ordinate.
Club archive storage options discussed given rising costs at Newhaven facility. No immediate solution.
Woolamai Beach SLSC - 4 June 2025 Board Meeting
Meeting online
Present: Jason Close, Fi Blackmore, Jordan Kuerschner, Erin Close, Darrell Clark, Nick Reynolds, Emma Gallagher, Grant Edmunds
Decisions
Life governor nominations received and it was voted to refer to Life Member Nomination Committee.
General Business
Annual General Meeting notification process discussed. Potential Board structure discussed and gaps identified. Audit/financial statement and annual report in development.
Presentation Night went well -good feedback
Rotary Smiths Beach donation event on 17 May went well. 12 Rotary members and several Club members attended. Good article in local paper.
Smiths Beach update -funds now raised, contractor not locked in as yet.
Downstairs of Clubhouse will be out of action for some time due to bunkroom upgrades.
Busy period for Assets -Club residence deck stained (thanks to Ryan Box and Dulux), fence fixed, alarms serviced. As alarms are set over winter, members will need to seek prior approval to visit Clubhouse for non Club related purposes (due to recent incidences of alarms being set off)
Missing IRB motor found safe and well at a repairer’s workshop.
Life Saving Victoria is reviewing Standard Operating Procedures for all Clubs. Club will review and provide input.
Silver Medallion Patrol Captain course held in May.
Newhaven College Bronze Medallion Course assessment to be held on 11 June. 13 candidates.
Plans to expand bar operation and roster for next season. Social memberships/social passes may be introduced.
Club will put in for grant applications to provide outside defibrillators at Clubhouse and Smiths Beach Rescue Base.
Mental Health Training grant received -training to be delivered by November.
Club celebrates end of 2024-25 season
Featured in The Advertiser - June 2025
Calling History Enthusiasts: Help Preserve Our Club’s Legacy!
At our July AGM, beloved Club historian Graeme Clauscen announced this will be his final season as he plans to retire.
A founding member and near-lifelong contributor, Graeme has dedicated himself to preserving our history, including authoring the remarkable Wild About Wooli – 50 Years at Woolamai Beach SLSC, chronicling the Club's journey.
Wanted: Club Historian
With over 50 years of service, Graeme has held many roles including President, but his most impactful contribution has been as Club historian. His legacy leaves a strong foundation and while his shoes will be hard to fill, this role is vital to preserving our heritage.
We are seeking a new Club Historian and volunteers to help catalogue the collection. If you're passionate about history and interested in contributing, Graeme is happy to chat. Contact him at historian@woolamaibeach.asn.au.