TGHN SLSC host annual awards night honouring Club members’ contributions Myall Coast Myall Coast - popup ad Myall Coast News Photo Gallery by News Of The Area - Modern Media - June 28, 2023 Foundation Members (L-R) Owen Holbert, John White, Roy Grogan, Chris Purcell, Paul Blackstone, Robin Ireland (seated). HONOURS and historical milestones marked the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saver Club (SLSC) Awards Night on Saturday, 24 June. Lifetime member Phillip ‘Flipper’ Everett was honoured for his vast array of services and time given to many years of beach patrols. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au A major highlight of the night was the recognition of the 60th anniversary of the ‘Foundation Members’, six of the first to be awarded Bronze Medallions, and have the TGHN club officially recognised, back in 1962-3. Foundation Member Roy Grogan, who literally wrote the book on TGHN SLSC history, spoke about the past, present, and future opportunities of the club. “Being a member of the SLSC is a commendable choice, and if it were compulsory for youth to join, there would be no street crime,” Mr Grogan declared. Max Fortunaso received ‘Rookie of the Year’, and Jackie Bower received ‘Patrol Person of the Year’, with a staggering 95 hours of patrol, and an essential role obtaining government grants. Jan and Tony Logue received ‘Outstanding Service’ for frequently journeying from Port Macquarie to fill in for patrols. ‘Club Person of the Year’ was Sharon Taylor, while President’s Awards went to Wayne Bower and Kristina Fortunaso-Klocker (junior), as members who “epitomise what it is to be a volunteer”. The Rose Dunlop Award went to Jill Wiseman. Amanda Osmond was recognised duly for her recent award as ‘Life Saver of the Year’ at the Newcastle Permanent Hunter SLS awards, for her tireless efforts with co-ordinating Nippers, running the bar, RWC training and assessing. Chris Elkin was thanked for helping install the new shark alarm, emceeing the meat raffles, sorting out security and helping at the bar. Many members were thanked for their stepping-up to get RSA and volunteering on Friday and weekend nights at the bar. The room was also treated to a presentation of the aerial footage taken by the UAV operators over summer, showing pods of dolphins, squadrons of stingrays, the odd turtle, and local celebrity ‘Bruce’ the shark. By Thomas O’KEEFE Phillip ‘Flipper’ Everett was honoured for his years of service in many areas. Roy Grogan spoke on behalf of the 60th Anniversary Foundation Members. Outstanding Service awardees Jan and Tony Logue. Patrol Person of the Year – Jackie Bower. President’s Awards recipients Wayne Bower (senior), and Kristina Fortunaso-Klocker (junior) with Club President Andrew Eden. Club Person of the Year – Sharon Taylor. Rookie of the Year – Max Fortunaso.
