New president to push for Bancoora SLSC upgrade

INCOMING Bancoora Surf Life Saving Club president Lisa Happ is aspiring to upgrade the club’s facilities as the surrounding community grows rapidly.

Mrs Happ said she was thrilled to take the next step and become club president after four years on the committee at Bancoora SLSC and a more than 35-year career of competitive lifesaving, assessing and administration at surf clubs across Australia.

Mrs Happ said she hopes to take the club forward by modernising facilities and bringing up the standard of the club to meet those of other upgraded clubs in the region.

“It’s an honour to be one of the first female presidents at Banny (Bancoora) and to bring my 35 years of experience here,” Happ said.

“Because I have been to a lot of different surf clubs, I think I can bring forward a unique view with my background.

“This season we are celebrating the 60th year of our club and will be going through redevelopment.

“It’s a big thing for the club, we have a patrol tower that just can’t be used and it’s getting busier with Warralily and Armstrong Creek being quite close.

“Our numbers are really picking up and we just don’t have the facilities or the storage to actually keep equipment, it’s out of date and now we are probably the only club in the area to not be upgraded.”

Mrs Happ said the goal is to secure some funding to help rebuild the club rooms, facilities and patrol tower so that the club can keep up with the ongoing demand from more people using the beach.

“Because we are a smaller club it’s hard to get that support from the local and federal government and Life Saving Victoria.

“We definitely hope to achieve that goal into the future.”

Mrs Happ said she is excited to have a strong and diverse committee by her side who she will be readily available to help guide the club forward.

The lifesaving veteran is still a coach, assessor and trainer for various lifesaving initiatives across the state and hopes her unique skillset can help to deliver a bright future for the club.

Bancoora SLSC will host a number of engagement sessions over the summer to reconnect members past and present.

The first official club members day is slated for November 19.

For more details, visit https://www.facebook.com/bancoorasurflifesavingclub