Chair’s report

Chair

James Glissan AM ESM QC

From the Chair Academy is a commitment to our members, boating public.

The establishment of the Marine Rescue NSW Training Academy is a wonderful opportunity for this organisation to cement its position as the nation’s pre-eminent volunteer marine rescue agency.

The Academy will ensure we have the very best trained first responders, communications officers, volunteer managers and support crew possible.

While that is, of course, a proud achievement for us all, we do not train for training’s sake.

The great and abiding value of this development will be the enhanced safety of those on NSW waterways for decades to come.

Put simply, more lives will be saved on the water.

The State Government’s support for this initiative is an investment far greater than the immense value of the waterfront real estate that is home to our State Headquarters, MR Botany Port Hacking and soon, the Academy. It is a commitment to the safety of our members and all those who enjoy being on the water.

On behalf of us all, I thank NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott, the Attorney General and Cronulla MP Mark Speakman and the Hungry Point Reserve Crown Land Management Committee for the support they have shown our volunteers in designating the Academy as the preferred use of the site through a public Expression Of Interest process. I give them and the Sutherland Shire community our word that we will develop an asset of which they, along with us, will be proud, while preserving the Reserve’s heritage and delightful open space.

Many of you will not be familiar with the Reserve but rest assured it offers all you could want for a training establishment for a marine rescue service. The pool, for decades the site for groundbreaking fisheries research, has fallen into disrepair but can be transformed into a facility for sea survival training. The historic cottages once home to newly-arrived migrants to our country can be repurposed as classrooms equipped with modern learning tools. We have already transformed an abandoned records repository for our Stores and have room on site to carry out our lifejacket servicing and create a public collection point for expired EPIRBs and flares. Our concept plans involve replacing a more modern but unsound building with a purpose-designed facility providing accommodation for trainees from throughout the organisation, a mess hall, conference room and a restaurant and bathrooms open to the public.

Embracing our vision ... Chair Jim Glissan with Emergency Services Minister David Elliott, Attorney General Mark Speakman and the Hungry Point Reserve Crown Land Management Committee.

Surrounded by the waters of Port Hacking, the Reserve offers swift access to the ocean. The jetty that now accommodates rescue vessel Port Hacking 30 will be expanded to house dedicated training vessels. Our trainees will be able to apply and reinforce their theoretical lessons in the classroom and pool with practical activities on open water.

While we have much work to do to complete the required design, planning, consultation and approval processes, I very much look forward to the day when we open the doors to our bright new future.

At times over the past few months, as we all sat separate from each other but somehow together in our isolation, this future has seemed a shimmering mirage on the horizon. Our organisation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was swift and well-planned to adapt to the escalating restrictions on our way of life. At its heart was the safety of our people. Thanks must go to all our members and staff for their responsible and mature approach to changes that were reassuring and frustrating in equal measure. We must commit to maintaining our new public health measures and awareness as we gradually get back on board our vessels, into the radio rooms and on to our various other duties, so as not to jeopardise our hard-won return from lockdown.

The value our community places on our services and our people was highlighted again two days after the announcement of the Academy. Congratulations to Ron Calman, Ross Constable and Glenn Sullivan, who were awarded the Emergency Services Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. They can be assured of our pride in them and every one of their colleagues.

Good sailing

Jim Glissan