TAKE A BOW

THE Torquay Surf Life Saving Club has honoured another of its long-serving members by naming one of its surf boats after them.

The club held a special ceremony on its back lawn on Sunday at which life member Sharon “Shaz” Heathcote cracked a ceremonial bottle of champagne over the bow of the boat to christen it.

The surf boat, built by Clymer Boats of Sydney, is also the third vessel sponsored by Torquay business Frenchy’s Ice Creamery.

It follows in the wake of fellow Frenchy’s boats named for life members John and Wilma Pettigrove – “China” Gilbert respectively.

Torquay SLSC life member Rode Costa said it was particularly notable honour for a club member to have a boat named after them.

He said Mrs Heathcote especially deserved it as she awarded in 1999).

“It’s a really big thing for her, and this one was really for the girls. She led the way at the club, and the girls have kept the tradition alive… there’s as many women’s boat crews as men’s crews now.”

Over her 40 years of membership, Mrs Heathcote was a patrolling lifesaver for three years and spent 19 years in senior administrative positions.

Mr Costa said Sunday’s ceremony was a wellattended affair.

“The club’s a big thing for a lot of families – we had the little grommets and there were a couple of older people in wheelchairs.”

Mr Costa said Torquay SLSC was presently later this year.

The club is looking for 30 donors to contribute $1,000 each – it has presently raised about half that amount – which one donor will be selected to have their name on the outside of the boat.