SURF LIFESAVERS RESCUED

The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club has been rescued by Alcoa of Australia Limited.

Mr. Matthew Ponsford, Media Liaison Officer for the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club reports that "Alcoa has recently come to our assistance, with the provision of funds, for an urgently required two way radio."

"Without this generous donation, our surf life saving patrols and professional lifeguards would not have been able to properly conduct their operations."

"Our existing radio (over 12 years old) had reached a point where it is unserviceable and the Club was not in a position to be able to purchase a new set, which was necessary."

"It is a fact that modern two way radios are an essential part of surf life saving equipment in the 1990's. They allow us to quickly communicate with surf life saving services, as well as other rescue services and the public."

"Alcoa have been fantastic ! In 1993 they assisted the Club with the erection of a large radio mast, which was needed to enable radio communications to pass over the large sand dune, which stretches along the coastal stretch at Point Lonsdale."

SWIMMERS PREPARE TO SWIM THE RIP

750 swimmers, from around Victoria will take part in the 10th Rip View Swim Classic, to be held this Saturday, 3rd January at Point Lonsdale.

"The annual event, which is a 1.4 km open water swim is popular with all types of swimmers"’ reports Matthew Ponsford, Media Liaison Officer for the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club.

"Swimmers feel reassured by the fact that they are not in 'deep' water, that they can 'see' the bottom and that they never too far from the shore. The fact that there are not too many people in each age group, makes it a friendly and enjoyable swim."

"The event commences at the Springs Beach, next to the Royal Oval (Bowen Road) Point Lonsdale and finishes outside the front street shops at Point Lonsdale."

"Registrations may be made at the Clubrooms, on the corner of Ocean and Buckleys Roads up until New Years Day, otherwise on the day, from 8:00am opposite the Point Lonsdale front street shops."

"Swimmers will be competing for two major trophy and two $ 500 cash prizes, which will be awarded to the first overall place getter in the male and female sections. Trophies are awarded to all winners and places in ten age group that are operating."

"The categories / age groups are Juniors (12 – 16 years), Intermediate (17 – 24 years), Seniors (25 – 29 years), Veterans (30 – 34 years), Veterans (35 – 39 years), masters (40 – 44 years), Masters (45 – 49 years), Grand Masters (50 – 54 years), Grand Masters (55 – 59 years) and Grand Masters (60 + years)."

"The swim is a major event for the Club and people should feel happy that their entry fee is helping the Club provide a voluntary service to the community, through Surf Rescue patrols at Point Lonsdale. This event is a major fundraiser for the Club and without these types of events, the Club could not continue to operate."

"If swimmers have any queries, they can either telephone the Club Office on (03) 5258 1257 or fax on (03) 5258 2823."

"For the first time, the results of all swimmers will appear on the Club’s Internet web site at

http://www.planet.net.au/~matpon This way, all of our swimmers can compare their swim time, to those of every other swimmer."

"Entrants will receive a commemorative souvenir long sleeve 100% cotton crew neck shirt, swim cap, certificate, souvenir bag with 'goodies' and refreshments."

Pre-entry fees:

Entry only $ 20.00

Entry and shirt $ 27.00

Family entry and shirts $ 65.00 (family of 3)

Entry on the day fees:

Entry only $ 23.00

Entry and shirt $ 30.00

Family entry and shirts $ 75.00 (family of 3)



715 SWIMMERS SWIM THE RIP

715 swimmers, from around Australia have taken part in the 10th Rip View Swim Classic, held today at Point Lonsdale.

"The annual event, which is a 1.4 km open water swim was conducted in near perfect conditions reports Matthew Ponsford, Media Liaison Officer for the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club.

"The fastest overall male swimmer was Matthew Smith, in a time of 12 minutes, 38 seconds and the fastest overall female swimmer was Penny O’Connell, in a time of 13 minutes, 21 seconds.

Matthew and Penny were awarded a major trophy and $ 500 cash prize each."

"For the first time, the results of all swimmers will appear on the Club’s Internet web site at

http://www.planet.net.au/~matpon This way, all of our swimmers can compare their swim time, to those of every other swimmer."

Results of all place getters follows on the next three pages.



SURF LIFESAVERS PLEAD FOR FUNDS

The most important fundraising activity for local surf lifesavers this season is to occur on Saturday 10th January.

"The annual event, which this year has a focus of ‘Target 10 000’ is an essential activity, reports Matthew Ponsford, Media Liaison Officer for the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club."

"Our aim is to raise $ 10 000, which will be used to pay for a recently obtained Inflatable Rescue Boat and for the purchase of a much needed outboard motor."

"At the start of patrols, we only had one operational IRB, which is simply not enough for our operations at Point Lonsdale. This leaves only one on the beach and should there be need for another during large rescues or if it becomes damaged, we are in a desperate situation. The Club has had to borrow the money (on a short term loan) so that we could have the much needed second craft for this season."

"IRBs are an essential piece of equipment, at the Point Lonsdale beach, which can be very dangerous and there are times when the only safe mode of performing a rescue is to use an IRB."

"Since 1990, 87 people have been rescued at Point Lonsdale alone, with our IRBs, so they are an essential item."

"Volunteer members (including our Junior Surf Lifesavers – the Nippers) will be collecting throughout the day in both Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff."

"We are fortunate that the members of the Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff communities support our Annual Doorknock each year and we hope that they will again give generously. Donations over $ 2 are tax deductible."



SURF LIFESAVERS RESCUED BY NOKIA

The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club has been rescued by Nokia Mobile Phones Australia.

Mr. Matthew Ponsford, Media Liaison Officer and First Response Unit Coordinator for the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club reports that "Nokia Mobile Phones has recently come to our assistance, by providing a new digital mobile telephone."

"Without this generous donation, our surf life saving service would not be readily and reliably contactable, out of normal patrol times."

"Our existing mobile phone was very old and had become unserviceable and the Club was not in a position to be able to purchase a phone, which was necessary."

"Like many Surf Life Saving Clubs, we offer our specialised equipment, personnel and facilities, on a year round basis to the Victoria Police, in the event of search and rescue. We provide what is known as a 'First Response' service, where our volunteer members assist the Police, in a range of ways. This service was provided twice at Point Lonsdale last season. In January, when a SCUBA diver went missing and in February when a swimmer drowned at the Point Lonsdale Surf Beach. Fortunately this year, the Point Lonsdale First Response Unit has not been activated, even though it has been a very busy season for both our Volunteer Surf Lifesavers and Professional Lifeguards who have saved over 50 lives at the Point Lonsdale Surf Beach."

"It is a fact that modern equipment, such as Nokia Mobile phones are an essential part of surf life saving equipment in the 1990's. They allow us to quickly communicate with surf life saving services, as well as other rescue services and the public."

"Nokia have been fantastic ! They realsied that we had a problem and were more than willing to assist the Club."



SURF LIFESAVERS ANGERED OVER BREAK-IN

Released: 13/6/98

The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club's Surf Rescue Base was broken into last week, some items of rescue equipment were stolen and other rescue equipment was damaged.

Mr. Matthew Ponsford, Media Liaison Officer for the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club reports that, "The Club's Surf Rescue Base was broken into last week, causing major damage. Several items of rescue equipment were stolen and some rescue equipment was also damaged."

"I cannot understand why people would break into a facility, which stores equipment, which is used with the primary aim of saving lives ?"

"A recently purchased two way radio, valued at just under $ 1 000 was stolen, which now means that we are without this vital piece of equipment, until it can be replaced."

I wonder what would happen if the people who committed this crime required assistance and their rescue was delayed or hampered by the lack of such equipment?"

"There was damage to a brand new Surf Rescue Patrol Shelter, which was recently presented to the Club, for next season's patrols, by Surf Life Saving - Victoria's major sponsor, Tabcorp." "Several panels now need to be replaced and re-signwritten."

"The Club is now pleading with either an Alarm Company to install an alarm system, to try and prevent such a crime again, or members of the community, who would be willing to donate funds, for such equipment to be installed. Unfortunately, we simply do not have the funds, to be able to install such a system. If people are able to assist, they can contact the Club Office on 5258 1257. Appropriate recognition of a Company would be arranged."

"If any person has any information about the break-in, they can contact the Queenscliff Police on 5258 4285."



STANDBY SECURITY SERVICES RESCUES SURF LIFESAVERS

Released: 8/7/98

The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club has been rescued by Geelong’s Standby Security Services.

Mr. Matthew Ponsford, Media Liaison Officer and Treasurer for the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club reports that, "Standby Security has recently come to our assistance, by providing an alarm system for our Surf Rescue Base."

"Our Surf Rescue Base was recently broken into, with some rescue equipment stolen and some damaged. We have had several ‘break ins’ over recent years and the Club was frustrated – we had simply had enough of this sort of wreckless act."

"Fortunately Mr. Angelo Kakouros, Managing Director of Standby Security Services saw a recent appeal from the Club, in the newspaper for an alarm system."

"The Club is not in a financial position to be able to purchase an alarm system, however, Standby Security were most willing to be able to provide us with a system and install it at no cost."

"Now rather than worry about the security of our facility, we can get on with more important tasks such as fundraising and other major development plans, that the Club is considering. This includes the possibility of expanding patrols into the Queenscliff area."