LIFE PLEDGE Morrison Government commits $500,000 for Torquay SLSC if elected

A RE-ELECTED Morrison Liberal Government would pour half a million dollars into the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club to help fund the renovation of its ageing clubhouse.

The announcement was made earlier this week by Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson who joined  members from the surf life saving community at Torquay Surf Beach. 

“I am so pleased the Morrison Liberal Government will provide an incredible $500,000 toward the club’s redevelopment,” Ms Henderson said.

“This commitment comes on top of the $20 million the Liberal Morrison Government has budgeted for an indoor aquatic centre, including a 50-metre competition pool.

“This investment is another important boost for Torquay, with the Surf
Life Saving Club (SLSC) a crucial hub for water safety and community activity.”

Ms Henderson’s commitment will see the improvement of disability access to the club and will upgrade training and first aid facilities.

Torquay SLSC secretary Rob McAlister said the club and its complex needed financial support so volunteers could continue to carry out essential services on the beach.

“It’s a fabulous gesture from the Morrison Government to upgrade our facilities,” he said.

“The club is 50 years old and we really need these improvements. We are very excited about this announcement.”

Ms Henderson made her pledge official alongside club president Tiffany Quinlan on Wednesday May 8 at the clubrooms.

“I am absolutely delighted to be here for a very special announcement,” she said to a sizeable crowd of Torquay SLSC members.

“Can I first of all just say and pay credit to what you do for our community. We don’t understate the importance of your role in not just keeping people safe, but in saving lives, and the incredible work and the thousands of volunteer hours that are contributed from the surf live saving movement is like no other country.”

Ms Henderson said she learned the Torquay SLSC had some “pressing needs” which led her team to work “very hard” to evaluate how the Liberals could support the club.

The club room echoed with whistles and cheers when the incumbent federal member for Corangamite made the announcement.

“It’s been a long time in the making, there’s been a lot of work go into this,” said Torquay SLSC president Tiffany Quinlan.

“Sarah has been a long-time advocate of the club and has worked with previous presidents and committees in a very supportive manner.

“As a club we’ve come a long way, and we’ve got a long way to go, but this contribution opens so many doors for us – it enables us to go for grants we couldn’t previously go for, it enables us to allow people who have never experienced the joy of being in the water the ability to now go into that, and that’s something we all take for granted.”