V-Sheet June 2019 | Page 3

President’s Report Volunteer Marine Rescue PRESIDENT: Martin Walsh SOUTHPORT - SURFERS PARADISE 2018 - 2019 Assoc. Inc. PO Box 866 Southport Qld 4215 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.vmrsouthport.com.au MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2018 - 2019 PRESIDENT Martin Walsh VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY Helen Stanfield Diana Gibson TREASURER John Kaus OPERATIONS Peter Barker SEARCH & RESCUE Merv Handley COMMUNICATIONS John MacDonald RADIO OPERATORS Beverley Weldon COMMITTEE Annie Erichsen COMMITTEE Craig Maloney Vsheet Editor: Glenn Norris [email protected] Graphics: Mike Oram [email protected] Advertising: Glenn Norris [email protected] Gold Coast Seaway Tower Hours: Mon - Sun: 0500 - 1800 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] T his edition marks the 50 th anniversary of VMR Southport – from its humble beginnings as a small club on the Nerang River, who would have thought we would become one of the largest volunteer marine rescue bases in Australia. Fifty years is a major milestone for any institution. Our celebration will not only be a festivity, but also an occasion to pause and look back at the fifty year journey.  Many current and past volunteers will be joining the celebration in July. If you are a past volunteer please contact us for details. The Seaway Tower renovations have been carried out, and as planned, it is expected that a return to the renovated SWT will occur in June 2019.  Next, we will start renovating our own Radio Room to cater for the massive changes in technology that we have experienced in the last 20 years, since the internet has emerged.  Our desks are set up for physical radios whereas we now have several computer screens and keyboards, as many more of our basic tools are becoming App based. The weather is an obvious one,  but also the size of waves is now recorded and updated continuously. Don’t forget the camera footage of the Seaway – even the way we log vessels on and off  from Southport to Sydney is now an online App!! Also popping out of the boat builders in the very near future will be our new Rescue vessel, conveniently called Marine Rescue Five.  We hope to have a vessel launch day with lots of photos and specifications in an article for the next edition of the V-Sheet  -  stay tuned. As I write this article the troops are all working furiously at the Sanctuary Cove International Boatshow. This is the major annual fund-raising event for the Squadron and I very much thank those who organise and contribute their time, as well as those who are kind enough to support us through raffle ticket sales. Our Primary Rescue vessel Marine Rescue 1 has a great spot on display in the Sanctuary Cove Marina, and is the platform of our operations. Everyone’s contribution is making the waterways safer. Not much more to report on the Queensland Government’s Blue Water Review at the moment. The team has held several meetings now and everything discussed is being processed back through Ministerial channels. We are expecting to hear some results over the next few months. In saying that, we are continuing to do what we have always done and until told differently will continue to do so. This week is National Volunteer Week and once again I can’t thank enough the whole VMR Southport team who will contribute over 60,000 volunteer hours this year in making this Organisation what it is. From the Radio Operators, to the Admin team, to the Boat crews, to the gardeners, you all deserve a big pat on the back. You have made VMR Southport so big, and so successful, and I am very proud of you all. The boating public need you, and the professionalism you show towards them is amazing. In concluding, I am also very buoyed by the number of new Active Members recently joining the ranks. Just this month there have been 6 new recruits sign up, and I wish them good times with this great place. Remember also if you have friends with boats, jetskis, yachts, no matter the size, or shape, let them know about the benefits of VMR Southport membership. We can assist all sorts of vessels, and at $77 per annum, its cheap. Martin Walsh President 2018 - 2019 FRONT COVER VMR Base and Fleet DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors of articles in the Vsheet are not necessarily those of Volunteer Marine Rescue Southport - Surfers Paradise Assoc. Inc. (VMR) nor does VMR guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or accept any responsibility for any product or service statement made herein. PROUD SUPPORTERS OF VMR SOUTHPORT Vsheet - JUNE 2019 3