Happy campers give life saving support

THE Golightly Caravan Park Residents Association has donated $1000 to the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club.

The money will go towards equipment for a new state-of-the-art clubhouse facility which is now just months away from completion.

Grant Wiltshire, president of the Golightly Caravan Park Residents Association, said they chose to support the club in recognition of the amazing work it does in protecting the lives of beach users.

“Many of the park residents’ children enrol in nippers and are members of the surf club and they are an integral part of the Point Lonsdale community,” Mr Wiltshire said.

“It’s great to see the progress of the new facility which will further enhance the capabilities of the club.”

The two-story building received $2.25 million dollars in community donations as well $2.2 million from the Victorian Government and more than $1.25 million from the Federal Government.

Point Lonsdale SLSC president Charlie Pitney said despite the clubhouse structure being fully funded, more support is still needed to help fit out the building and purchase new equipment when it deteriorates.

“Day-to-day equipment is exposed to the elements so it needs to be turned over regularly,” he said.

COVID-19 restrictions caused the cancellation of the club’s major fundraising events including the Rip View Swim Classic and the annual door-knock.

This season volunteer surf life savers from the club have performed 17 rescues and the paid weekday lifeguards performed 18 rescues since Christmas Day.

According to Mr Pitney, Point Lonsdale back beach is one of the most dangerous beaches in Victoria and the pandemic has increased the risk.

“The beach can be quite dangerous for people that don’t know it,” he said. “During the pandemic people haven’t been able to travel overseas, so they have done more travel in Australia, potentially to beaches they haven’t been to before.”

Mr Pitney said throughout 2020 a lot of people weren’t able to swim or attend exercise classes as much as they usually would, which will have impacted on their swimming ability and fitness.

“Where they would normally be able to swim out the back and catch a couple of waves in 2019, they don’t necessarily now have that same level of fitness,” he said.

“We are asking people to understand their abilities and know their limitations before getting in the water.

“And, of course, always swim between the flags.”

Lifeguarding season at Point Lonsdale has been extended to February 21 and the beach will be patrolled seven days a week during this period.