Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club's Annual Presentation Night was held Easter Saturday 2016.  This evening is a highlight on the calendar and recognised the achievements of many dedicated members. President Craig Watson, welcomed members and set the tone for the evening outlining the successes of the season.  The 2015/16 season saw:

- 21% increase in patrol attendance
- 24% increase in preventative actions
- 50% increase in first aid
- 26% increase in club membership
- 194% increase in awards attained and
- 58% increase in the success of our fundraising

 

Chief Instructor, Kimberley Gee presented 179 training awards, showcasing this was the most successful season ever in award training and development.

Club Captains Leah Gates, Josh Latto and Jack Roper presented an array of awards to the actives including Patrol Person of the Year which was awarded to Harry Watson who amassed an amazing 109.5 patrol hours.  Award recipients are listed below.President Craig Watson presents Leah Gates with the President's Award

 President's Award  Leah Gates
 Social & Fundraising Award  Heather Roper
 Chief Instructor’s Award  Sarah thompson
 Active Club Person: Senior  Lachlan Martin
 Active Club Person: Junior  Declan Woolf
 Active Club Person: Cadet  Harry Watson
 Club Captain's Award  David Gee
 Encouragement Award: Senior  Tom Goode
 Encouragement Award: Junior  Lucinda Smith
 Encouragement Award: Cadet  Kent Bennet
 Patrol Person of the Year  Harry Watson
 Patrol Hours Medallion 50+hrs Service  Harry Watson
 Kiara McJames-Court
 Elisabeth Zagon
 Emilia LaMontagne
 David Gee
 Daniela Lombardo
 Carla Moran
 Declan Woolf
 Heidi Woolf
 Gee Brooke
 Elise McCorriston
 Martin McCorriston
 Joshua Latto
 Martin Cameron
 Rose Starlight
 Patrol of the Year  Patrol 2
 Captain: Joshua Latto
 Vice Captain: Josh Kaye

Spinal Management Award Recipients

 

Nipper registrations are now open for the upcoming 2016/17 season!

The 2015/16 nipper season saw record numbers and was a resounding success under the brilliant stewardship of Ann Cornish, who was assisted amazingly by Annette Patterson, the tireless Age Management Group, fantastic Water Safety, the Coaches and Nipper Parent helpers!

The nippers enjoyed learning how to stay safe in the surf, progressing from ankle deep water activities in the under 6 age group, up to swimming through the break out to deeper water in the under 13 age group. The program ran over two weeks from the day after Boxing Day and culminated in an exciting and all inclusive club championship with events including swimming, board riding, backwards crab races, sandcastle building and the iconic flags.

One addition to the program this year was our first Starfish nipper award. Starfish nippers is a dedicated program for special needs students aged from 6 years of age. This program was developed by Angelsea SLSC and the club is hoping to involve  more participants over time.

Venus Bay nippers reclaimed the Venus-Invy trophy at the Junior Carnival and sent a team of over 100 juniors and parents to the Junior States. It is fantastic to see the continued development in skills and friendships that the competition team brings to our members.  Other highlights of the nipper program included the disco, talent night and nipper presentation.

The 2016-17 program will be lead by Anna Kenneally and registrations open July 1st 2016. The program dates have been set as December 27, 28, 31, January 1, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 14. Please put these in your diary! Please contact nippers@vbslsc.org.au for more information and to be placed on the registration reminder list.

Ann will be stepping away from the main role this year for a well earned break, and the club would like to take the opportunity to thank Ann  for all of the work she has undertaken to ensure the program continues to thrive.

Thank all of our Nippers for showing Sportsmanship, Respect, Participation, Passion and most of all FUN for the season. We look forward to welcoming you back next year and look forward to seeing our SRC's on patrol as they enter the Senior Club.

Nippers is a place where you make friends for life... and - as you grow into adults - Nippers will form some of your favourite memories of the beach... So thanks for attending... and most importantly... participating!

 

Venus Bay Life Saving Club has a long and proud history, and is keen to pay tribute to that in the newest clubhouse built in 1999.  As surf swimming grew in popularity in the early 1960’s, the need for a surf rescue club at Venus Bay was recognized by a group of locals.  In December 1961 the Venus Bay Surf Lifesaving Club was founded and since that time, the surf club has continually patrolled the beach for the benefit of the general public. The club can proudly boast that no lives have been lost at the beach while patrolling members have been on duty. 

A lot has changed over the 52 years that the club has been operational, from evolving through three clubhouses in 1961, 1970 and 1999, to having a helicopter rescue base in 1980.  The history of the club is rich and as such should be preserved for all to see.  Venus Bay SLSC is currently gathering significant items of memorabilia to put on display and invites all members, past and present to contribute through photographs or other historical artefacts.  It is important to recognise the contributions made by many volunteers who have made the club what it is today.  Any members who have items to share should contact Kimberley Gee, kimandsimongee@gmail.com


Nippers circa 1981.

 

Please congratulate the new committee for the 2017-18 season. We have an exciting mix of old hands and new faces leading the club for the upcoming season.

Click here to view Our Committee

 

The Venus Bay SLSC Bronze Medallion Camp was held mid December with an enthusiastic group of 25 candi­dates completing either their Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion. The week long live in camp provided candidates with the core qualifications for patrolling.  Candidates demonstrated proficiency in surf awareness, radios, patrol and rescue procedures, first aid, and resuscitation.  The first aid sce­narios proved to be a highlight as always, with candidates applying the theory they learnt in practical situations.  A big thank you to Zac Kennedy, Simon Gee, Sarah Thompson, Joel Webb, Britt Wilton, and all the water safety crew for all their assistance with instructing during the week. All of the club’s training would not be possible without the organisation, guidance and support from our Chief Instructor Kimberley Gee.  A lot of volunteer hours go into ensuring our training programs are run to the highest standard.


 

2015 Bronze Medallion Candidates & Instructors.

 

To check out our video of Bronze Camp - click here

 

 

 

 

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