Woolamai Newsletter - January 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:
Alan Lawry
President’s Update
Board Meeting Update (14 January 2025)
Celebration of 50 Year Anniversary of WBSLSC Junior Boat Crew winning Australian Championship
Cowes Classic and Little Penguin Dash Water Safety Callout
Sharing our Shores
Pride Patrol Event
Nippers 2024/25 Season: A Celebration of Community and Skill Development
Calling History Enthusiasts: Help Preserve Our Club’s Legacy!
Communications Introduction
Taking the plunge into 2025
Welcome to 2025!
As we kickstart a busy season, we’re excited about the opportunities this year will bring. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or continuing your journey with us, there’s plenty to look forward to.
Stay safe, stay connected, don’t forget to get involved and keep an eye out for updates—we’ve got exciting plans in store!
Here’s to a fantastic start to the year.
Louisa Williams
Alan Lawry
Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club is very saddened to hear of the passing of much revered Life Governor, Alan Lawry last week.
Alan along with his brother Peter gained his Bronze Medallion at Woolamai Beach SLSC in 1965 and served the Club with distinction as a lifesaver, competitor, national surf boat champion, Club Treasurer, Club Captain and was a friend and mentor to many.
Alan was awarded Life Membership of the Club in 1976 and then in 1991 had the Club’s highest honour bestowed upon him by becoming the Club’s inaugural Life Governor.
After Alan and his family moved to Queensland, he and his wife Pam were regular visitors to Woolamai, he still found many ways to contribute and was a current member of the Club’s Development Fund Board.
Alan has made an enormous contribution to the history, culture and direction of our Club. Alan will be greatly missed by all at Woolamai and the Club sends its deepest condolences to his wife Pam, Sam and Tim and his brother Peter (himself a life Member of our Club), sister in law Kerry and the extended Lawry family.
Jason Close - President, Woolamai Beach SLSC
President’s Update - Jason Close
We are now in the peak of the season. Late December saw another terrific Nippers season with 400 participants and over a hundred of our younger members providing water safety and acting as junior age managers as well as many parents volunteering as age managers and in other roles. There were also some great social events held at the Clubhouse.
Our Surf Rescue Certificate program, this year run by Sophia Hungerford and Ava Close, saw 45 13-14 year olds gain their SRC and begin their lifesaving journey.
We have had some fantastic events with strong participation in the Club Champs on Saturday 11 January and Sunday 12 January. Adding to the celebrations, members of the victorious Junior Boat Crew that claimed the 1975 Aussie Surf Boat title in Dee Why, NSW, reunited for a special lunch and our 50-year celebration at the Clubhouse.
There’s more to come throughout January and February with our ‘Captains patrol’, Community Native Plants Working Bee and Beach Clean up Day on Saturday 25 January, Pink Zinc Patrol on 15 February, Cowes Classic, Channel Challenge and a whole lot more.
Most importantly, I would like to thank everyone who has been patrolling throughout summer so far. On Saturday 4 January, our members performed a significant mass rescue at Woolamai while our lifeguards were kept busy with rescues at Smiths Beach. While we have performed other rescues this season, this was one of the busiest weekends of the year for us in recent years and across Victoria the busiest weekend in 20 years with over 170 rescues; 31 of which were in the Bass District. The work we do is important and everyone who has visited our patrolled beaches this season has been able to go home safely thanks to your efforts.
Woolamai in the news
Over the past month, the Club’s media profile has been at an all time high. With record numbers of visitors to our beaches and with the need to be proactive in our beach safety messaging, we have taken every opportunity to share important beach safety messages.
On New Years Day, Jason Close took part in an interview with Emily Power just after the midday news.
Club members and our Bronze camp were featured in an ABC News story on Monday 6 January (refer video).
On the same night, Woolamai Beach featured on WIN News Gippsland. Jason Close and Ellie Ryan spoke about beach safety and a busy weekend across the State for lifesavers (refer images below).
We have also provided updates and beach safety messages in several articles in the Phillip Island and San Remo Advertiser.
Sunset Sips
Sunset Sips
One of the success stories of the season has been ‘Sunset Sips’.
Each Friday evening since Christmas, we have been opening the Club bar for members and friends to enjoy a drink, BYO snacks and enjoy the views from our Clubhouse and balcony.
We are keen to host Sunset Sips every Friday evening through summer. If you can help with a shift behind the bar, please get in touch.
A huge thank you to Jackson Sinclair and Nick Reynolds for all of the work they have put into making it all come together and to Megan Crow, Maddy Reynolds, Jack Fisher, Warren Dickie, Fi Blackmore Jason Close, Christos Argyropoulos, Ash Smith and anyone else who has done a shift or restocked the bar.
Thanks Christian and Jules
In the last month, we have seen two of our Board members step down from their roles after a few years of great service to the Club.
Christian Born joined our Board as the Director of Administration and Finance in 2022. Christian has managed and grown the finances of the Club as well as introducing many administrative innovations and systems which we currently use to run the Club. Christian will leave the Club due to work and travel commitments.
Julia Hay joined our Board in late 2023 as Nippers Director. Under Julia’s leadership, the program has continued to grow and thrive. Jules has developed a strong committee who will be able to take the program forward. Jules and her family have recently sold their caravan in Cowes and will continue their involvement in lifesaving through competition with Mordialloc Life Saving Club.
A huge thank you to Fi Blackmore who has stepped in as interim Director Admin and Finance while also juggling her already busy Vice President role. Mark Bain has also provided significant support in this area.
Each of these roles has been advertised and we look forward to two new Directors joining our Board in early 2025.
The Man with the Golden Tongs
One of the most pleasing aspects of this season has been the willingness of some of our members to step up and take on roles that need filling.
Throughout the year it didn’t look like the Nippers BBQ was going to happen. The Nippers Committee had put out the call a few times for someone to co-ordinate the barbeque but no one had put their hand up.
In December, Kieren Williams stepped forward. Kieren’s 4 boys did Nippers and went on to patrol at the Club. Kieren knew how important the barbeque was to our Nippers coming off the beach after a big morning as well as hungry water safety crew and everyone else helping with Nippers. It’s also an important fundraiser for the Club.
The barbeque was a huge success with over 3,000 sausages cooked and sold in 6 days.
A huge thank you also to Kieren’s team of barbeque helpers. We are also very grateful for the support of Matt Synan from the San Remo IGA who did daily deliveries of sausages, bread, sauce, soft drinks and ice. Great team effort.
Blue Zinc patrol - Bobby Bajram
Each year our Club holds ‘Blue Zinc’ patrol to raise awareness and support men’s mental health.
After a big day on the beach, the patrol and guests were treated to a great barbeque and inspiring presentation from extreme sportsman and our honorary Club ambassador, Bobby Bajram.
Bobby was diagnosed with multiple scelerosis over 40 years ago but has managed to achieve feats many would never think possible including climbing some of the world’s highest mountains. He will be attempting Mount Everest in 2026 and is hoping to qualify as a swimmer in the 2028 Paralympics.
Bobby is a global ambassador for people with disabilities and raises money for disability causes and advocates for technological advancements to assist and empower people with disabilities.
Bobby gave an inspiring presentation to about 50 of our members and shared many personal stories of how his disability has shaped his life, his ups and downs and how he has motivated himself and achieved so much.
Bobby even managed to fit in a Spew hill/swim and board session with Stewie Irving during his visit.
May you all make a great start to 2025.
See you down the beach soon.
Regards,
Jason Close
President
Board Meeting Update - 14 January 2025
Our 2024 Board Members
Board roles and contact details
Meeting at Fiona Blackmore’s house, Phillip Island Road, San Remo
Present: Jason Close, Fi Blackmore, Nick Reynolds, Jordan Kuerschner, Erin Close, Phoebe Clark, Darrell Clark, Emma Gallagher
Decisions
The Board has approved the transfer of funds from the Club’s Operating Account to the Development Fund Account.
The Board has approved an update to the Clubhouse Accommodation Policy. The policy is being amended to define a senior member as someone over 21 years of age or in a leadership role such as a patrol captain or vice captain who is over 18 years of age. Each senior member will be limited to supervising a maximum of 3 junior members. The previous policy requires that junior members may stay at the Clubhouse under the supervision of senior members. There is no criteria for a senior member to meet other than being over 18 years of age. This has resulted in situations where 18 year old members have been responsible for the supervision of junior members and may not be suitably equipped to understand the level of responsibility which they are being entrusted with. This represents a ‘lifting of the bar’ so that anyone who is entrusted with the supervision of junior members is more likely to have an understanding of their responsibilities. This can be better managed if the senior members responsible have greater maturity or are themselves already in a position of responsibility. The new policy will be publicised via various means to members and the patarol leadership team.
The Board has approved increased funding for events which accompany special patrols eg. Blue Zinc, Pink Zinc, Rainbow Zinc patrols.
General Business
Following the resignation of Christian Born, Director Admin & Finance, Fi Blackmore has stepped in to act in the role with immediate effect until the casual vacancy is filled.
The Club is currently advertising two vacant Director roles - Director Admin & Finance and Nippers Director. There has been some interest expressed in each role and it is likely each will be filled.
The Club will be appointing a bookkeeper to support it in making payments and carrying out accounting. The appointee will report to the incoming Director Admin and Finance.
The Nippers program has had another successful season with very good feedback. The program was profitable for the Club with income from enrolments, barbeque, raffle, merchandise sales and social events. Some areas which will need to be worked on for next season will be strengthening beach management at Smiths Beach, board skills for Nippers in surf, water safety data entry and administration, first aid documentation and reporting. A defibrillator may need to be sourced for the Cleeland Bight program. There has been strong interest in Committee roles for the 2025/26 season.
Club Champs ran smoothly with approximately 85 participants. Half of the competitors pre-registered whilst the other half turned up on the day, adding to the time taken to start. The Watermen patrol were the winners on the day. A well attended pizza dinner was held in the evening.
Friday night ‘Sunset Sips’ has been going well with in excess of 50-60 members and guests enjoying the Clubhouse bar each Friday night throughout January. The volunteers behind the bar have been great but it would be good to find some more volunteers from across the Club. Friday night bar opening hasn’t been promoted ‘externally’ as procedures are still being developed and there needs to be confidence that a voluntarily run bar can continue to operate consistently before externally advertising it. A number of small improvements such as a ‘last drinks’ bell and ice buckets to be added. In the future food platters may be added as offerings for purchase. A number of bar volunteers have put their hands up to help with other Club tasks.
San Remo Community Bank Directors will be visiting Club on January 24 to view new pathway and Clubhouse entrance sign funded by a community grant from the bank.
Erin Close and Rex Mynott are fully qualified as Member Protection Officers. The roles are now more recognised in the Club and have been active recently.
Presentation Night will be held at Silverwater Resort, San Remo on the evening of Saturday 31 May 2025.
Celebration of 50 Year Anniversary of WBSLSC Junior Boat Crew winning Australian Championship
On Sunday 12 January, a small lunch function was held at the clubhouse to recognise 50 years since our Junior Boat Crew won the Australian Championship at Dee Why Beach in Sydney.
Crew members Life Member (LM) ,Trevor Clauscen, sweep and rowers, Alan Plum and Ian Weightman, attended in person and were presented with an engraved, framed photo to commemorate their achievement in 1975. Noel Humphreys wasn't able to attend but was presented with his photo in Melbourne by Alan Plum a few days later. Unfortunately we couldn't locate the fifth member of the crew, John Ogden.
A similar presentation was incorporated with last year’s Life Members and Member’s dinner at the Clubhouse in January 2024 where all five members of the Club's Reserve Boat crew received a similar presentation for winning the 1974 Australian Championship at Glenelg Beach in Adelaide. That crew consisted of Trevor Clauscen (LM) sweep and rowers Ron Barber, Ron Hay (LM), John Sill (LM) and Stewart Bell.
Thanks to Graeme Clauscen (LM) for organising the framing and engraving of the crew photos! Thanks also to President Jason Close and the Board for the support given to both functions and the framed photos each of the crew members received last year and this year recognising their significant achievements. They are the only Australian titles ever won by the Club during a period when Woolamai Beach was a powerhouse surfboat club in Victoria and Australia.
Cowes Classic and Little Penguin Dash Water Safety Callout
Date: Saturday 8 February 2025
Key Times - Little Penguin Dash:
Water Safety Briefing - 9.30am (Boards, Tubes and First Aid all present) - Cowes Foreshore
Race Start- 10am
IRBs and RWCs setting up from 10am at Woolamai Beach SLSC
Key Times - Cowes Classic
Water Safety Briefing- 1pm (EVERYONE PRESENT) - Cowes Yacht Club
Race Start - 2pm
The following positions are available; you must be available for both races if you are Board, Tube or First Aid Teams.
X1 Board Paddler
X1 First Aid Qualified
X1 ART Qualified
First in, best dressed. Please reach out to Max via email on max_eldridge@hotmail.com.
Sharing our Shores
Sharing our Shores
From 1 December 2024 to 30 April 2025, Phillip Island Nature Parks together with project partners Birdlife Australia, Bass Coast Shire Council and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Conservation Regulator, will engage with the local community and visitors to Phillip Island to ensure everyone enjoys the beaches and helps protect wildlife on our shores.
Let’s enjoy our beaches safely this summer and do our best to help wildlife nest and rest by taking these easy steps:
Stay on tracks and avoid walking on dunes
Keep your distance from wildlife
Leash your dogs, keep cats indoors
Take your rubbish with you
Join us for our Upcoming Pride Patrol
Pride-themed lifesaving patrol
We’re gearing up for a special Pride-themed lifesaving patrol!
Not only will our team be out on the sand, keeping everyone safe but we’ve got something extra exciting in store for you after the patrol — an amazing event with entertainment and fun. All to celebrate Pride and inclusion in our community.
Visit here for more. You won’t want to miss out on this unique celebration of safety, pride and togetherness!
Nippers 2024/25 Season: A Celebration of Community and Skill Development
Written by Heather Ridley and Rachel Costello from the Nippers Commitee
Nippers 2024/5
The 2024/25 Nippers season, run by the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club, has come to a spectacular conclusion. This season's program has once again demonstrated the immense value it brings to the community, not only by teaching vital life-saving and leadership skills but also by expanding participants' knowledge of the local marine environment and conservation.
This year's program saw the participation of 400 eager nippers, aged 5 to 13, each gaining essential skills and experiences that will serve them for a lifetime. The impact of the Nippers program extends beyond the participants themselves, influencing parents, grandparents, friends and family members who spectated and assisted throughout the season.
The success of the program would not have been possible without the dedication of over 200 volunteers including 100 water safety volunteers who collectively contributed more than 5000 volunteer hours. Their commitment ensured the safety and smooth operation of the events held at Smiths Beach and Cleeland Bite.
The program was also supported by more than 75 Age Managers and Junior Age Managers who provided guidance, mentorship and leadership to the young participants. Their efforts have been instrumental in fostering a sense of community and instilling a passion for beach safety and marine conservation.
The Nippers program is not only about learning and development; it is also about building community and making lifelong friendships. A whopping 3,000 sausages were consumed during the season alongside several social events held at the Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club House, highlighting the social aspect, the camaraderie among participants and their families; all of which acted as vital fund raising for the club.
The 2025/26 Nippers program took place from Sunday 28 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. With the 2024/25 Nippers season now finished, the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club looks forward to continuing this tradition in future seasons, nurturing the next generation of lifesavers and community leaders
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.