Equipment lifeline for Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club

Posted December 16, 2019

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has secured $13,550 for the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club so it can buy new equipment for rescue, training, first aid and resuscitation purposes.

Photograph: Discussing the future vision for the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club during a recent meeting were Club Vice President Simon Rothwell, Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, Vice Captain Patrols Ray Tomlinson, House Manager & Surf Sports Manager Peter Syomns. President Paul Hibbird, Club Captain Andrew Meyer and Grants Officer Keith Holman.

The Community Development Grant, successfully advocated for by the local MP, will assist a club that has been struggling to fundraise since a severe storm last year led to the demolition of the clubrooms.

“The club has been working out of sheds and shipping containers until its new Operations Centre was officially opened recently and it could be another 18 months until members have a fully functioning kiosk and restaurant to use as an income stream so it’s been tough for these dedicated volunteers to find the money for much-needed extras,” Rebekha said.

“Aldinga is an area new to Mayo thanks to the electoral redistribution in SA at the 2019 election so I was delighted to accept an invitation from the club to visit the executive a few months ago and hear first-hand about their plans for the future.

“The funding I successfully advocated for with the Federal Government will assist the club with their vision to operate satellite surf patrols at the ramp north of the club and at Port Willunga.

“It will also enable the club to upgrade training equipment for their Nippers program for juniors.

“I would like to thank the Federal Government for providing this grant for the Aldinga community and I would like to acknowledge the dedication of the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club in protecting us on the beaches this summer.”

Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club Board Member and Grants Officer, Keith Holman, welcomed the announcement.

“Morale was at its lowest when the storm blew through Aldinga, taking our clubrooms with it along with our vision and our hopes for the future," Keith said.

"Rebekha Sharkie MP was not slow in lifting our morale, making suggestions of how we could assist ourselves and also assisting with funding so could bring our vision for the future back on line."