"Vigilance & Service"
the history of
HELENSBURGH-STANWELL PARK
SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB
1908 - 2007
The book was launched at Helensburgh Workers, Sports & Recreation Club on Sunday, 13 April 2014.
In attendance were 18 of the club's living Life Members, Cr Gordon Bradbery OAM, Lord Mayor of the City of Wollongong, John Meehan OAM and wife Sue, June Sweeney, wife of former Branch President Ken Sweeney, Val Zanotto, President, Surf Life Saving Illawarra, The Hon Sharon Bird, MP, Federal Member for Cunningham, Johnny Petrovec from PrintMedia, Peabody Energy Australia – Ryan Pascoe, Manager, Safety and Environmental Services, Metropolitan Colliery and Helensburgh Workers Sports and Social Club - Michael Halloran, President and more than 100 club members, former members, family and friends.
The book was officially unveilled by Tanya Potter, the first female to gain their Bronze Medallion at the club, Alicia McCormack, the first club member to win a medal at the Olympics, and Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery.
Tanya and Alicia spoke about their experiences at the club from a female perspeective. Tanya in gaining acceptance as a female life saver, and Alicia growing up in surf life saving enabling her to follow her dream to win an Olympic Medal.
127 copies of the book were pre-ordered or sold on the day, as well as auctioning off some significant copies of the book all signed by Editor Evan Griffiths.
Book No. 1 Sold to Terry Daintry - $800
Book No. 2 Sold to Peter McDonald - $1000
Life Members Book (Signed by all Life Members) Sold to Ed White - $1600
Life Saving Book (Signed by Club Captain and Patrol Captains from 2007/08 Season) Sold to Steven McDonald - $625
Official Launch Book (Signed by Gordon Bradbery, Tanya Potter & Alicia McCormack) Sold to Peabody - $600
The History Book Committee - Evan Griffiths, Jim Powell, Deb McCormack and Harley Dreghorn were recognised for the efforts and contribution to the compilation of the book. Both Jim Powell and Deb McCormack were made Honorary Members of the Club.
It was a great day for the club and served as a reunion of the membership, as the day went on history was repeated and replayed, the waves were bigger than the previous reunion, and the distances greater, more memories were made and refreshed.
If you have not purchased a copy of a book or you know someone who wants a copy, it can be ordered from the website - Click here to order.
Copies of the book will be available from the Surf Club Bar, out the front of Coles on 26 April 2014, and from vaiours businesses in Helensburgh (TBA).
Photographs from the Launch will be posted soon.
Steven McDonald
Life Member and President
Illawarra Mercury Article - 14 April 2014 - Click Here
