We received $350,000.00 towards our Building Extensions
This week 17 surf life saving clubs were announced by the NSW Government as being successful in their grant applications under the 2012 Surf Club Facility Grant Program.
BULLI SLSC will receive $350,000.00!
Four surf life saving clubs in the northern suburbs will share in more than $690,000 of State Government funding to improve facilities.
Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC will receive $29,390, Era SLSC $146,000, Thirroul SLSC $165,000 and Bulli SLSC $350,000.
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said surf life saving clubs were the backbone of our coastal communities. "The Surf Club Facility Grant program exists to help clubs develop their facilities and increase usage and member numbers, these clubs have been neglected for 16 years while volunteers fought tirelessly to keep us safe. It is a disgrace that some buildings were allowed to deteriorate so significantly," he said.
NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesleysaid the NSW Government was committed to Surf Life Saving NSW having better facilities to support the hard work of surf life-savers and provide valuable community assets. “There are over 120 surf clubs along the NSW coastline patrolling more than 200 beaches during the surf season and each and every one of them is a credit to their community,” he said.
Mr Annesley said the NSW Government had committed a further $2 million a year for the next two years to assist surf life saving clubs provide facilities and services to enhance beach goer’s safety.
Club members Keith Caldwell (President), Barry Adams (Secretary), Peter Lord (Junior Chairperson), Noel Freeman (Life Member) & Sean Taylor (Junior Parent)met with other successful clubs at Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club for the announcement. Both Lee Evans & Graham Annesley were present and our members expressed appreciation towards the NSW Government & Surf Life Saving NSW.
Club President Keith Caldwell said, "This is a great announcement and our members are very excited. It is unreal and really gives our club a big boost. Our building committee has been working hard over the past 18 months towards DA approval for building extensions from Wollongong City Council. Since our DA was approved late 2011 we have been pushing towards gaining some funding and this $350,000.00 is a great start. The hard work will continue to make this happen for the future of our surf club members. Our membership base has increased by over 200 in the past 4 years and we are struggling to meet our members & councils needs with storage space at a premium for both organisations life saving equipment. I would like to personally thank Lee Evans (Member for Heathcote), Graham Annesley (NSW Minister Sport & Recreation) & Phil Vanny (CEO Surf Life Saving NSW) for their continued support of our club & surf life saving."