Dear Gunn Member,

The season is nearing and we have been busy finalising patrols and patrolling start dates (with LSV), getting ready for skills maintenance and training activities, processing renewals and getting ready for the Nippers season.  More on these areas in the following sections. 

Many of the Committee attended the LSV Conference and picked up some useful tips on an array of areas eg.  Fundraising, training, grant applications, etc).  Tee Morgan as our Nipper Manager did a great presentation on our Blue Caps program in one of the Nipper sessions, which was well received.  It was also an opportunity to understand the changes to our Bronze Lifesaver training (a training app is being implemented – no more wet paper soggy cards).  Additionally there are changes to the IRB Crew and Driver courses, with David Stogdale and Toby Dobell updating their trainer qualifications and assisting with the updates that will be covered on the Skills Maintenance days (thanks to both).  Overall ,it was a valuable networking opportunity, to discuss issues/opportunities with other Clubs. 

We are also pushing hard to get better signage and awareness of the dangers of Gunnamatta and other peninsula surf beaches.  Dan Simpson (Vice Captain) attended a meeting with Sam Groth (local MP) along with Portsea and  Sorrento SLSC representatives and other emergency services stakeholders, to discuss how we address these above issues.  A series of actions have been taken to bring back signage on roadways, look at digital solutions to raise awareness and to assist the Clubs to get better beach signage and safety initiatives.  On the same theme, Ray and Phil Webb attended a meeting held by The Mornington Peninsula Back Beach Collective that is lobbying hard to petition Parks Victoria through the Environment Minister, to improve safety.  Thanks all for their perseverance on this – finally feels like we are getting some traction in support of public safety along our back beaches. 

One of the areas we are keen to turbo charge is active member recruitment.  Our active membership has been declining in the last few years and we are keen to ensure we get back to having at least 6 to 7 patrols.  We will be running our Junior Members Bronze Camp (week long course) and a Weekends Bronze camp (mixed ages) in December (see calendar for details) and we are asking all members to assist with spreading the word to friends and family about joining as an active member.  Looking forward to the start of the season and seeing everyone on the beach.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Membership and Nipper registrations are now due to be paid in full, the earlier the registrations are completed makes it easier for our volunteer committee members to prepare for the season. If you are needing support with your membership renewals please contact our Registrar, Melissa Malone (registrar@gunnamattaslsc.com.au) or Secretary Barry Williams (secretary@gunnamattaslsc.com.au).

Nipper Families need to ensure you have completed 4 key tasks to ensure your spot for the season.  If you are needing support with your nipper registrations please contact our Nipper Managers Tee Morgan and Paul Wilson (nippers@gunnamattaslsc.com.au)

1. Nippers Registration and Surfguard Membership details up to date (30th September deadline)

2. All members, including associates over 18yo have completed their WWCC and included GSLSC as an interested party, before your membership can be confirmed, please refer to Nippers in the GSLSC Website.

3.  Paid their subscriptions and nipper fees (30th September deadline)

4. Preparing and completing each nippers swim assessments and results submitted via the website here. 

    

Patrolling Members, it is imperative that we have our patrolling members enrolled and paid for the coming season, please ensure that any changes to your patrolling circumstances are emailed to Liam Vaughan (captain@gunnamattaslsc.com.au)

WWCC Compulsory Requirement of Membership 

All Members, including nipper parents and guardians must have a current WWCC check with Gunnamatta listed as your volunteer organisation, this is a legislative requirement and compulsory to your membership as mandated by Surf Lifesaving Australia.  Details can be found on the Gunn Website under Nippers / WWCC requirements.  Once received please update your surfguard member details or send to (registrar@gunnamattaslsc.com.au)

Expressions of interest for our SRC/Bronze Camp & Adult Bronze Course are now closed!

Thank you to everyone that completed the forms, be will be in touch shortly with more information regarding acceptance status and further information leading up to the courses.

Junior Bronze: 9th-13th Dec

Adult Bronze: 7th-8th &14th-15th Dec

SRC and new Bronze trainees will be required to attend a pre-camp online meeting, once confirmed individual trainee families will be updated. 

If you have any questions regarding training please feel free to contact us on training@gunnamattaslsc.com.au 

LIFESAVING COMPETITION TEAM  

Our Competitions Management Team is being headed up by Misha Allinson and Amber Smith. Expression of interest for the coming season for competition participants and event assistance teams (parental or team support) to assist on event days.

Please register your expression of interest to team@gunnamattaslsc.com.au

SOCIAL UPDATES

Lifesaving Season Launch Function, following on from the success of our member social functions over the past years, we wish to invite all our past and present members and families to join the committee in celebrating the commencement of a new season, catering will be provided with drinks at bar prices.  Last year's event attracted around 70 members and families and we are looking forward to having more members attend this coming event. 

🏆And the Winners Are: The finale results of the Gunn Footy Tipping contest are done and dusted, with our 3 top tippers receiving a Gunn T Shirt for their steely focus in getting their tips in each week. Congratulations to our three top tippers!!

🥇 Evan Harinos

🥈 Darcy Brown

🥉 Amber Smith

BEACH UPDATE: 22/09/2024 

A significant sudden erosion of the dune system at Gunnamatta has taken place over the weekend resulting in the second carpark stair case collapsing. Recent big swells and storms began the erosion of a large portion of the beach and huge tides and swell over the weekend continued to batter the beach resulting in the collapse of the dunes and stairs. It has also exposed the concrete foundation and steel frame from our old patrol tower as well as exposing rocks in front of the stairs that have not been seen in the clubs near 60 year history. 

The track to the stairs is closed and all beach access at second carpark is now via the track in front of the club. We are in communication with Parks Victoria in relation to the assessment of the damage and rectification works and we will keep our Gunn community updated. 

Once all the sand movement settles down and the beach stabilizes it will be interesting to see what sand banks we will have for summer. Stay tuned and fingers crossed some fun waves :) 

HISTORY INSIGHTS

As the club enters its 59th year our committee will begin focusing on our 60 year celebrations. Our history and existence as with all community clubs depends on our volunteers of which we are all appreciative.  One such individual dedicated extensive time to the forming of Gunnamatta SLSC and has our annual swimming competition named after them. “Geoff Alsop Memorial Swim”.