President’s Report

From the Club President

Another challenging season done and dusted and I am very happy to report that our team did a stellar job on the beach this past season.

With the previous season coming to an abrupt end, none of us expected to still be dealing with Covid for the 2020-21 season, but the pandemic has certainly left its mark on our 61st season patrolling the Cape Paterson surf beach .

Our pre-season saw a plethora of online meetings both internally and externally, with various Covid briefings for our management team to get their heads around . We all should be very grateful for all the hard work that our ‘Covid Coordinators’, Wendy Graham and Nicole Cowley, contributed across the season . Thanks guys . Our entire Committee of Management collectively steered through the Covid maze, all while dealing with the challenge of moving into our wonderful new building . Thanks to you all for the work done this season . On the sand, our patrolling team did an awesome job completing a total of 4359 .75 volunteer patrol hours for the season . This didn’t happen by chance and was greatly due to the efforts, hard work, and sheer determination of our Club Captain Andrew ‘Naps’ Napoleone . This Covid stuff really threw you a curve ball, so well done to you and all our patrolling members for your work over the season . Special mention to our top patrollers for the season, too . We had 20 people who patrolled (inc . water safety) over 50 hours for the season; 10 of those recorded more than 100, while three here topped and one more than an incredible 300 hours – an amazing 303 hours were completed by Aly Schapper, topping the list again for most patrol hours . Well done Aly . Our training has again been exceptional, with Chaz adapting to the ever-changing regulations to keep the program rolling on . Unfortunately, the restrictions meant we did not get to have a live-in summer camp, but we still put through a great program for our new Bronzies . There was also one of our school programs for the Koo Wee Rup Secondary College, along with our annual IRB training camp . A great new initiative from Chaz was a community CPR day, a fantastic way to encourage community involvement and connections, something we are hoping to be an annual event on the club’s calendar . Our gear in its new home looks amazing . Darcy and Riley Manks, and Naps, have kept our equipment in top notch condition and as we kit out the storage area with shelving and storage cabinets, I know everything will have a home and remain in this pristine condition moving forward . This season we held our first ‘Pink Patrol’ thanks to Caitlin Westerling, our Junior Club Captain, albeit with a slight false start due to the February mini-lockdown … we considered that a ‘practice run’, and then held the main event over the Easter weekend . This event highlights and celebrates the significant contributions that females make to our club and surf lifesaving in general . Great work Caitlin, and we look forward to seeing this event continuing in coming seasons, potentially expanding to similar initiatives around men’s mental health .

The Cape Nipper program continues to be a great success . Its foundations have been built over several years now and the program is getting better every season . This summer, as with our operations and training, the Covid restrictions moved the goalposts on us several times – only a couple of weeks before the start of Nippers, there was a chance the program would not be going ahead . Ultimately, we managed to have a (mostly) normal season with our Nippers not being overly affected . Great work Charlie, and thanks to all our age managers for your time and efforts . Our team off the beach were kept very busy as well and worked hard to keep the Club and our season on track . Thanks to all the team for your support, work and help . While our new building is ‘physically’ completed, there is still much work to do to get the final configuration exactly right . Again, my thanks to the team for all your work in getting us here and now on perfecting the set up . Kate, Ray, Keith, and Pete: great work . Thanks also to Nicole for all she does as Secretary, again keeping us (read: me) in line and on track . Add to this taking on the Covid challenge and Nicole had a huge workload this season, so a special note of gratitude for her support to me and the broader Committee . Equally, I wish to recognise other committee and support members:

- Ray, thanks once again for your hard work, continuing to strive to build and progress the club forward . - Pete and Keith, our financial dynamic duo (just need masks and capes), your efforts over the past season, and many prior, have kept us financially stable and ready for anything . Great work . - Melinda (Whitehouse), Fred, and Dave have been fantastic to work with and thanks for all you have done, too . With a growing organisation like ours having a team of people we can throw all the ‘miscellaneous’ jobs to is essential .

- And to Sue, our Registrar, her role is essential to the club and is greatly appreciated . The work you do keeping registrations smooth and efficient is fantastic . On the fundraising front it was great to see some of our regular events return after Covid . Doogs’ weekly Tavern raffles have been a welcome sight, and thanks also to Michael and Sue at the Tavern for their ongoing support; it’s great to be part of your Tavern family . Our Trivia night also returned, with a flashy new team running the night . Chaz and Charlie clowning it up on the night made for great entertainment for all . Thanks also to Melinda (Menz) for all your work with local businesses for the great prizes . The launch of the Kiosk this year was fantastic and grabbing a morning coffee turned the club into a genuine community focus and meeting point . Wendy and Melinda (W), I know there was a huge learning curve for you but you both did a sensational job getting the ‘Seahorse Kiosk’ up and running so smoothly . Unfortunately, restrictions made it too hard to run the Aquathon this year but I’m sure it will be back for the 25th edition as soon as we can . It is clear that the Club’s future looks amazing . We are financially sound and our growth potential post-Covid is very exciting . As we continue to grow in our home, in a expanding community, I see our challenges being to maintain the culture that has made us an attractive, welcoming organisation in the community – one that is family focused – and to ensure our core function of Surf Lifesaving and patrolling the beach remains front of mind . In essence, all else we do (fundraising, training, recruitment, governance) leads back to this purpose . Thank-you as ever to my fantastic family, who have supported me throughout my time as President . Love you guys, it wouldn’t have happened without you . This is my last report as President . I’d like to thank all our members for your support and allowing me the privilege of this position for a number of years – it has been a truly amazing journey and the Club is in excellent hands as it looks forward .

– Dean Manns

From the Secretary

On behalf of the Committee of the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club Incorporated, I submit for your consideration and adoption, the 61st Annual Report and Financial Statements covering the activities of the club, for the 2020-21 season.

This season was one met with many challenges, working within the constraints of a global pandemic . When I was asked to be Covid Coordinator for the club I gladly stepped into the role; little did I know how encompassing a role it would be .

Thus, I was extremely grateful when Wendy Graham agreed to share the role with me . Wendy did an extraordinary amount of work getting the clubhouse ready for our season start and ensuring we had all things ‘Covid ready’ to operate . With the many changes to restrictions throughout the season, there were numerous discussions with our key personnel to ensure everyone was operating within the restrictions outlined by Lifesaving Victoria . I would like to thank our operational, training and Nipper groups for working with us to ensure we operated within these restrictions .

Finally, a thank-you to the Committee and Sue Hayes, our Registrar, for all the work you do throughout the season and year .