HERVEY Bay is well-known for its beautiful stretch of oceanfront with calm waters that are a much-loved playground for thousands of visitors and locals alike.
However, where there is water, there is a risk! That’s why it’s so important to have the Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Club members patrolling our beaches and keeping the community safe.
Surf lifesavers take on various roles, including aquatic rescues, providing first aid and emergency care, and educating the public about the dangers of the surf.
The Hervey Bay RSL recognises the not-for-profit organisation’s valuable contribution to the Fraser Coast region and is only too happy to help keep them afloat with a grant for $5000 a year, for the next three years, through the club’s Community Grants Program.
The funds will assist in training young and upcoming junior lifesavers through various Nippers programs and cover the costs of running the annual Nippers Carnival.
The money will also help purchase specialty nipper boards for the bigger kids that outweigh the normal limits of a standard board.
The Nippers Carnival, being staged in December, is one of the biggest events on the club’s calendar and attracts about 300 people, including Surf Lifesaving Queensland members from Bundaberg, Elliot heads, and Emu Park attending.
Chief Training Officer Andrew Eason said the club was grateful for the RSL’s financial assistance to run the highly anticipated event.
“We always have the first one so the novice nippers don’t have to worry about waves and can compete to gain their confidence,” Andrew said.
“It (grant) allows the club to go that extra mile to ensure the carnival runs smoothly and, of course, gets the Hervey Bay RSL brand out there.”
Andrew has been involved with surf Lifesaving from the age of five and said the camaraderie, friendship and knowing that volunteering may make a difference to someone is what he loves most.
“Water Safety is a huge concern considering where we live,” he said.
“Our aim is to hopefully get the kids to follow through after nippers to become patrolling members of our club.
“We want to educate and assist our nippers to become leaders of the future! They take away skills that they can use well into their adult life.
“Surf Lifesaving is one of the most recognised volunteer agencies in the world.
“It’s fun and exciting, and you get to learn lifelong skills.”
To find out more, visit the club’s website at herveybaysurfclub.com.au or email admin@herveybaysurfclub.com.au.
