On Sunday, 23 December 2018 the club honored 2 special members of Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC.
Tanya Potter had a new IRB named after her.
Graham 'Cookie' Cook had a new Surf Boat named after him.
With around 100 members, family and friends on the lawn at the surf club, both new crafts were unveiled displaying the names of these great members. In the crowd were 17 of the club's 26 living Life Members.
Tanya Potter has the honor of being the first female Bronze Medallion Holder of the club, and now she is the first female to have her name on an IRB. Tanya joined the surf club in the mid-1970's and gained her Bronze Medallion in 1908 alongside David Anger, Kevin Morton, Mark Wallace, Robert Reynolds, Ray Beacroft, David Van Zyl and Geoff Hodgeson. She has been a strong contributor to the club over the years gaining here Instructors Certificate form ARC and BM, and her Examiners Certificate, competing in the first seasons of IRB competition, doing publicity for the club and organising "The Big Patrol" for the club's Centenary Celebrations.
Tanya recalled her days of IRB competition during her acceptance speech, were due to mishap or malfucntion she was often left out the back waiting for someone to come and pick her up.
The IRB bearing Tanya's name was funded by a NSW Government Community Building Partnership Scheme Grant ($14,300). Local MP Lee Evans, Member for Heathcote was on-hand to help with the christening of the IRB.
This is the club's 13th IRB coming 41 years after the first craft.
Life Member Graham 'Cookie' Cook was honored with his name on the club newsest which is the 20th surf boat for the club in it's 111 year history.
Graham joined the club as a Nipper and gained his Bronze Medallion in the 1970/71 Season alongside Peter Braz, Terry Braz, Graham Hargraves, Glen Hunt, Bruce Keating, Grant Thompson and Alan Watts.
Cookie was an Instructor, Examiner and Assesor for Bronze Medallion and IRB's, as well as holding positions on the club's committee including Chief Instructor, Club Captain and Vice-Club Captain, IRB Captain and Vice-Captain and Deputy President.
He was heavily involved in the planning for the club's current building in the early 1980's
In competition Graham competed in ski races, and won the 1981 Illawarra Branch Open Boat Championship as sweep with his crew of Phil Doran, Chris Emmett, Dave O'Grady, and Geoff Woods.
The surf boat was funded primarily through the support of WestFund Health Insurance ($10,000), Peabody Energy ($5,000), CFMEU Helensburgh Lodge ($2,500), Boaties Fundraising ($7,000). Lence Naumovski from WestFund was on-hand to assist with the christening of the new boat.
Both Tanya and Graham were fortunate to have all of their family surrounding them for the event.
Both boats were simultaneously launched from the beach, with both boats successfully negotiating the surf break. Unfortunately there was a small mishap with the surf boar resulting in a broken sweep, fortunately the crew Dakoate Curkoski, Matt Anger, Drew Walsh, Mitchell Sweent and Sweep Ed White were able to return the boat safely to shore.
Thanks to all the members, family and friends who supported the event and joined these 2 great members at the club after the launch for refreshments, renewing acquaintences and story tellings.
A big thanks to the Illawarra Mercury and WIN New Illawarra for reporting on the event, and Lachlan McDonald for photographing the event for the club.
