Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC - Robert Brunton Legacy Award

Helensburgh‐Stanwell Park SLSC encourages and accepts junior membership from children 6 years and over through to 15 years old at which time they are eligible to become fully qualified senior patrol members.

Throughout this junior section period the individuals are given training and familiarisation with beach and water safety as well as competitive opportunities for both water and sand events. Combined these activities enable development of the junior member’s surf lifesaving skills and experience as well as team and individual achievement.

Surf Lifesaving Australia has formal awards that junior members can undertake to develop skills and demonstrate competence as they progress through the junior age groups. The most significant in terms of progression and development is the Surf Rescue Certificate (the aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge of basic patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations). At age 13 years a junior member is able to nominate as a candidate for the Surf Rescue Certificate. These cadets are then able to undertake the Bronze Medallion course at age 15 years and subsequently, as senior Patrolling Members, the Silver Medallion Beach Management course at 17 years of age (the aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and experience required to manage a beach and a team in emergency and non‐emergency situations. The course is aimed at people wishing to be Patrol
Captains or Patrol Vice‐captains).

Typically, in any seasons Helensburgh‐Stanwell Park will have 20 ‐30 nippers (U/6 Age Group) join the Club and will see 15‐20 juniors (U/15 Age Group) graduate into the senior ranks. Two years prior to progressing to the senior ranks, on average, 10‐15 members in the U/14 Age Group will undertake and be awarded their Surf Rescue Certificate, whereupon, whilst still part of the junior activities section within the Club, these competent juniors are able to participate in formal beach patrols as cadet members.

The Executive Committee is always looking to recognise the development achievement of junior members, retain members and to encourage their transition to senior lifesavers and Patrol Captains.

Club member, Robert Brunton, who was awarded his Bronze Medallion at Helensburgh‐Stanwell Park Surf Club in 1958, has advised the Club that it is his intention to leave $10,000 to the Club as a formal legacy in his Will. In discussions with Club Executive representatives it became apparent that when the time comes it may be appropriate for these funds to be used in some way to support the recognition of junior/cadet members as they achieve progression with surf lifesaving awards.

With this in mind it is proposed that when these funds become available they be placed into an interest bearing account and used to:

1. recognise junior members in the U/14 Age Group who satisfactorily demonstrate their competence to be awarded the Surf Rescue Certificate and are able to be rostered for Patrols as cadets. This recognition would take the form of:
a. a suitably embroidered bag/backpack for use during surf patrols, e.g. in club colours with name and year, plus a reference to the Robert Brunton Legacy; and/or,
b. attendance at a formal Surf Lifesaving development camp (where available);
c. recognising recipients of a Surf Rescue Certificate at the Surf Club’s formal Awards of Excellence event as part of the Brunton Legacy process.

2. encourage and support former cadet members who have completed their Bronze Medallion to undertake the Silver Medallion Beach Management course once they attain 17 years of age. This support would take the form of:
a. identifying suitably competent Patrol Members aged over 17 years old and nominating them for enrolment in a Surf Lifesaving Australia Silver Medallion Beach Management Course;
b. funding any costs involved in attending a Beach Management Course;
c. recognise recipients of the Brunton Legacy Silver Medallion Award at the Surf Club’s formal Awards of Excellence event.

The Club would aim to have a representative of the Brunton family present at its annual Awards of Excellence event to present the respective awards to successful participants.

Putting $1,000 per annum towards this recognition by using the Robert Brunton Legacy funding, would provide at least a 10 year legacy period. This could be extended by:
1. Savings on the annual budgeted expenditure;
2. Topping up the fund with interest earned;
3. Topping up the fund with other donations (or a percentage thereof).
4. Other suggestions – the Club would periodically monitor and appropriately address any other suggested top‐up strategies

It is recommended the Club proceed with an approach along these lines, subsequent to this being consistent with Robert and Elizabeth Brunton’s wishes for the use of the legacy funds.

Peter Turner
Deputy President
June 2016

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