THE red and yellow flags have gone up on Park Beach, Coffs Harbour for the 100th year in a row.

The Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club (CHSLSC) has been the heart and soul of the Coffs Harbour coastal community since its official formation in 1923 and plans are underway for a big celebration in 2023 to commemorate the milestone.

Life saving used to require a strong swimmer attached to a rope with four people holding the reel and managing the rope.

But things have come a long way since then, with vital sponsorship funds from the C.ex Group through their ClubGRANTS Program enabling the club to purchase and maintain much needed lifesaving equipment.

“Patrons at Park Beach are blessed to be able to enjoy the water while being watched over by our exceptional, volunteer patrol members,” Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club President Terry Maher said.

“We need to have life-saving equipment like all-terrain vehicles, inflatable rescue boats, patrol shelters and oxygen equipment.

“These things aren’t cheap, and they also need to be maintained.

“Not only that, we invest a lot into our volunteer education and training to upskill our members to ensure our beaches
are as safe as they can be,” Maher explained.

“So, we are extremely grateful to the C.ex Group who are continuing their platinum sponsorship again for this season.

“The C.ex Group have contributed $20,000 in much needed and very much appreciated funding to the Club.

“Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club welcomes all past and present members to celebrate 100 years of patrolling Park Beach.”

2023 will mark a century of CHSLSC – 100 years’ worth of volunteer efforts, including surf patrol, water safety education and community programs.

Platinum sponsor and long time partners the C.ex Group will host the event on Saturday 6 May, 2023.

For more information and tickets, visit https://100years-chslsc.eventbrite.com.au/.

By David WIGLEY