Trust supports Torquay SLSC with new IRB hulls

THE Jack Harris Trust has continued its legacy of supporting the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club, with its latest donation going towards vital lifesaving equipment

At the club’s 2022/23 annual general meeting, held on Sunday, trust secretary Richard Greenhaugh presented a cheque for $28,218.18 for two Thundercat IRB hulls to the club.

Sunday’s donation follows the trust presenting a $5,490 cheque in April for 14 Little Annie CPR training manikins, and brings the total amount donated to the club over the years to more than $224,000.

Originally established in 1995 by a contribution from the estate of the late John (Jack) Dudley Harris, a Torquay resident who was friends with members of the club, the Jack Harris Memorial Trust is a registered charity and am entirely separate entity to Torquay SLSC, and its capital does not form any part of the assets of the club.

Torquay SLSC life saving director Mathew Blair (left) and Jack Harris Trust secretary Richard Greehough with the two new Thundercat IRB hulls purchased with the trust’s donation.

“The capital base of the trust is preserved in perpetuity and income from investments only used to fund core lifesaving activities of the club,” Mr Greenhough said.

He said he and the other nine trustees were volunteers and received no payments for their time administering the trust.

“The majority of donations to the trust have come from deceased estates.

“By bequeathing money to the trust, a person can, even after death, be assured their bequest will continue to contribute to a safer community.”

The trust has now donated more than $224,000 to Torquay SLSC to support its core lifesaving activities.

Torquay SLSC director of member services Daniel Hayden, thanked the trust for its donations.

“I think it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway for the record – this club’s lifesaving capacity would be a pale imitation of what we’re able to do without the Jack Harris Trust,” he said.

The Torquay SLSC AGM also saw eight members receive pins for their long service:

70 years – Neil Inglis

60 years – Adrian McKenzie and David Marshall

50 years – Janice King, Rodney Costa, David Steed and Stephen Taylor

40 years – Ted (Edward) Unwin.

Two club members were unanimously voted as life members: Dennis Carty, who joined the Club in 1968 and has held several key positions within the club; and David Shore, who joined the club in 1959 and has been Torquay SLSC”s solicitor since 1986.

The election of office bearers for the 2023-24 season saw Peter Quinlan, John Mercer, and Sandie Richmond resigned from the board, and the club has appointed Tim Altman as competitions director, Greg Minter as treasurer, and Jonathan Griffiths as facilities management firector.