2019 will be a milestone for the South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club (SWRSLSC) as we will celebrate 100 years of vigilance and service to the community.
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In the past 9-10 months, club members and the general community have been exposed to circumstances regarding a loss of money and ongoing impacts of this. A group of ‘concerned members’ has raised questions and allegations towards executive committee members, none of which have been substantiated despite legal scrutiny.
The explanation for the loss of monies, no police action against any party, compliant recording in the club’s accounts, disclosure by senior committee officers, and their actions, should have been the closure of the matter.
Unfortunately, there has been an ongoing campaign to bring the club into disrepute, deplorable instances of harassment, and underhanded behaviour by some people. The committee did not agree with publicly addressing malicious inaccuracies raised by disgruntled members. A concentrated social media ‘free-for-all’ ensued, driven by a few which is not based on fact. Assumptions in the absence of fact are speculative and of no benefit to the club.
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There has been criticism by some, that the club does not support nippers. This is strongly refuted. SWRSLSC has provided inclusiveness, a sound financial backing and opportunities for our young lifesavers, over many years.
The club has paid for competition fees, sponsored individuals to development camps, provided training courses, maintained weekly barbecues and water safety. It would be fair to say that junior members and parents have been well resourced. The juniors are an important part of our club, as are patrols, education, and fellowship.
Patrols are the basis for everything we do, facilitating the development of all members. Patrols are underway with no threat of us not being able to fulfil our obligation. It is of note that some of the concerned members have not carried out patrols ever or have not done so for years.
SWRSLSC is in a solid financial position making a healthy profit last year. Auditors endorsed the actions of the committee regarding the loss of funds as did SLSNSW.
Contacting sponsors and requesting withdrawal of support, intimidation towards members, contacting governing bodies, politicians and public misinformation have placed the club in a poor light. This has resulted in humiliation for all members, displaying no concept of the ethics of Surf Life Saving and common decency. It is clear there is no respect for the persons that have made the Club what it is today.
SWRSLSC has been one of the most progressive clubs in NSW with many great things achieved; we have strived to make our place a hub for visitors, members and locals. We have had a traditionally high standard of patrols and arguably held more major events than any club in NSW, hosting 18 major carnivals in 20 years, be it Country Championships, NSW or Australian IRB Championships. All this goes towards building a strong club and filters down to all members and the local community.
There are varied views on recent circumstances; however the motives of the ‘concerned members’ are not the overall view of the total membership of SWRSLSC or for that matter the local community who have supported the club for many years.