
BULLI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB AWARDED FOR BEST PRACTICE AND COMPLIANCY
Bulli Surf Life Saving Club has been recognised for the high quality services its team of hard working volunteers provides to Club members and the local community. The Club recently achieved Bronze Level Status in the Surf Life Saving NSW Quality Club Program.
Bronze Level Status is awarded to Clubs which have completed a variety of compliance and operational activities which assist the Club on their path to achieving higher level status. The Quality Club Program recognises best practice operations within all areas of Surf Life Saving including lifesaving and patrols, training and education, surf sports, member services and a range of Club management areas including administration, finance and marketing.
Volunteer surf lifesavers work hard each summer to keep the public safe on our beaches and the Quality Club Program is one way to recognise the commitment, teamwork and high level skills achieved by Clubs throughout the state.
The program focuses on developing and maintaining the health of the Surf Life Saving movement throughout NSW by recognising the continual improvements and achievements that are made by many Clubs.
Encouraging and awarding Clubs for achieving best practice not only recognises the efforts of the Club’s volunteers, but provides the local community and visitors to Bulli Beach, a safer beach environment.
Club President, Keith Caldwell says “Bulli Surf Life Saving Club has worked extremely hard at improving its operations and achieving best practice and is pleased to see its efforts rewarded. We have a hard working group of members, remembering they are all volunteers, that tireless work for the good of the community. This season is going to be challenging as one specific area of improvement will be our actual premises. We have a complete refurbishment & building extension happening this summer, so our members will be living out of a site shed near the beach whilst on patrol & lifesaving equipment will be stored in 2 containers in the surf club car park. But in saying that I have every confidence in our leaders in administration, life saving, education, nipper activities & surf sports to meet the challenge head on.”
Bulli Surf Life Saving Club now has its sights firmly set on achieving Silver or Gold Level Status, the pinnacle of success for Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout NSW.
Bulli Surf Life Saving Club will be required to maintain its Bronze Level status while continuing to work towards Silver and Gold level accreditation in this program. This process ensures that Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout NSW continue to work on achieving best practice in all areas of operation.
If you’re interested in joining the team at this fantastic Club, please contact Sean Taylor (Club Secretary)seanleannetaylor@bigpond.com to find out how you can become a member.
Congratulations to Balin Munro U14, Max Ottaway U14 & Jeremy Woodford U13 who have been selected in the Surf Life Saving NSW 2016 Junior Development Academy to be held at Sydney Academy of Sport on Sydney’s Northern Beaches next month.
All three are talented surf sports athletes within the club, This program targets 12-14 years athletes who have demonstrated potential in the water. This is the first chance for these talented youngsters to be exposed to a high performance environment.
Many previous graduates have gone on to represent both NSW and Australia in surf sports with some even travelling as part of the Australian contingent at the recent World Lifesaving Championships. The Junior Development Academy will include training sessions with state coaches, technical analysis and a focus on improving skills across all water based disciplines. Athletes will also attend sessions on nutrition, recovery and training techniques.
Over the years we have had a large number of talented kids attended this program.
Last Saturday night at The Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney Bulli Surf Life Saving Club Open Men’s Boat Crew were acknowledged as the best!
It was the Surf Life Saving New South Wales Awards of Excellence where lifesavers from around the state were acknowledged for their achievements in life saving, administration, education & surf sports from season 2015-2016.
The crew of Shane Geloven (sweep), Heath Mercer, Dean Roberts, Fraser Worthington & Ben Lowe were awarded the title of SURF LIFE SAVING NEW SOUTH WALES ‘ TEAM OF THE YEAR ‘
The crew had a tremendous season performing at a high level all season in the Open Men’s Boat section;
1st Rooster River Run (Marathon)
1st Surf Life Saving Illawarra Championships
1st Warilla Bowls South Coast Boat Series
1st Battle of the Boats Pacific Palms
1st Surf Life Saving New South Wales Championship
1st Best of the Best Surf Boat Challenge
3rd Australian Surf Rowers League Championship
1st Surf Life Saving Australian Championships
The crew finished 2nd in the Australian Team selection trial just missing the opportunity to represent Australia in consecutive years. 4th NSW Championship win in a row which in its self is a great achievement against quality Open Men’s crews. The crew had a clean sweep season with Branch, State & Australian GOLD.
Club President Keith Caldwell states, “This past season has been an absolutely fantastic effort by these local juniors who represented our club so proudly. This crew is committed towards their discipline with training & commitment to surf boat rowing. All the guys are active members of the club and contribute to any aspect of the club including lifesaving, fundraising & social events. They train together in the gym and push each other to the max, they are great mates and socialize together, plus are very supportive of other sections within the club. This award is the icing on the cake for the guys and they were pretty exciting in winning this award.”
Bulli Team: Holly Holmesby (U12), Zara Sharman & Kaimana Fittock (U14), Kelsey Cresswell (U17) & Alexandra Smiroldo (U19) Team Manager Keith Caldwell
What a great 3 days of racing by our team of 5 girls at the 2016 SLSA Pool Rescue Championships, picking up 1GOLD, 2 SILVER & 3 BRONZE medals along the way. Massive congratulations to Holly who collected a full set of medals. The girls achieved 9 top 10 placing & heaps of personal best times, you can't ask for much more. The club finished in the top 20 in the overall point-score.
Results;
Holly Holmesby 1st U12 Female 50m Freestyle with fins (AUS RECORD)
Holly Holmesby 2nd U12 100m Female Obstacle Race
Holly Holmesby 3rd U12 Female 50m Brick Carry.
Alexandra Smiroldo 2nd U19 Female 200m Obstacle Race
Kaimana Fittock 3rd U14 Female 100m Manikin Tow with fins
Kaimana Fittock 3rd U14 Female 50m Freestyle with fins
Team Manager Keith Caldwell said, “ All the girls raced really well, after the success at the state championships it was pleasing to see the girls achieving many personal best times. Special mention to Holly, Kaimana & Alexandra who picked up medals in their respective events. Holly is definitely a star for the future, she has all the skills collecting 3 medals from 3 individual events at these championships, also picked up 3 medals in the surf earlier this year at the State championships. It was great to see Shannon Eckstein take time out to get a photo with Holly.”
AT CORRIMAL POOL, SHORT ST, CORRIMAL
SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2016 10AM-12NOON
SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 2016 10AM-12NOON
(POOL ENTRY FEES APPLY)
Please note: Proof of age/birth certificate must be shown for all new children joining our Surf Club.
We encourage registering and paying online,
please click here and follow the directions to register and make payment.
Any further enquiries please contact Lynette Kirkland (Junior Registrar) bullinippers@gmail.com.au
Last Sunday 31st July we held our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Bulli Workers Club, a first in the history of the surf club due to the renovations/extensions happening at the clubhouse at present. Our Annual Report & Financial Statement 2015-2016 was presented to the members in attendance, an excellent role up (35).
Elections for the 2016-2017 season took place & congratulations & thank-you to all members taking positions for next season. Click here to see who will guide the club next season.
Reminder that our Annual General Meeting is to be held this Sunday 31 July 2016 at 3pm at BULLI WORKERS CLUB.
Our 2015-2016 Annual Report will be available for perusal from 230pm on the day prior to the meeting.
Members must be financial prior to the Annual General meeting to vote.
Registrations can be done by the following options:
Option 1- Online Renewal & Payment Renew and Pay online at Bulli SLSC Website (bullisurfclub.com.au)
Detailed instructions on how to renew memberships and pay online can be found on the Bulli SLSC website at the Renew Membership & Pay Online page. Note: You may need to create a Members Portal account.
Option 2- Renew at AGM 31st July 2016. Facilities/membership forms available from 2.30pm prior to the AGM.
Regards
Sean Taylor
Secretary
Bulli SLSC

Director of Life Saving (Club Captain) Scott Gordon, Lord mayor Gordon Bardbery OAM & Club President Keith Caldwell discuss the building extensions.
After years of planning and hundreds of hours of raffles, lolly drives and other community fundraising efforts, construction has started on Bulli Surf Lifesaving Club’s much-needed clubhouse extension.
Initiated by the club, which lodged a development application to extend the overcrowded headquarters in June 2010, the extension will provide a second-storey to the council-owned building.
The upgrade will also ensure better public access and amenities and storage for council lifeguards. Construction is expected to be complete by autumn next year.
Councillors voted in June to award the $1.6 million building contract to Project Coordination Pty Ltd.
The club has contributed $640,000 to the project, including $350,000 from Surf Life Saving NSW, $30,000 from the NSW government and hundreds of thousands from fundraising.
The club’s director of lifesaving Scott Gordon said members had breathed a sign of relief as construction on the long-awaited upgrade began.
“We’ve got 500-plus members, more than half of those are female competitors and members and we have two toilets, so we definitely need to expand,” he said.
“We’ve got various grants and collectively the club had raised over $600,000 – that’s come from raffles, lolly drives, we’ve been up at the markets, dollar coin donations and community events, so we’re more than happy to partner with the council on this upgrade.”
He said the “iconic” club had up to 280 Nippers and had the “number one boat crew in Australia”, and hoped the expansion would encourage more members.
“Basically, if we build it, they will come – and we want more to come,” he said. “And just having increased facilities to allow up to do the operations – the surf lifesaving side of things that we’re all about – will be amazing.”
Likewise, Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the refurbishments would allow the club to continue its proud tradition and commended club members for putting in the effort to contribute to the project.
“This is recognition that it’s a really active club, and has churned out so many champions over the years,” he said.
“We couldn’t act immediately, because we had to finish Sandon Point [surf club] and that took up a lot of our surf club resources. But this has been our next priority, and here we are.”
Exciting news for the surf club with the building extensions on the southern side finally been given the tick of approval from Wollongong City Council and the sucessful building company Project Coordination (AUSTRALIA) Pty Ltd to start works on Monday 25th July 2016.
Unfortunately for us the pain will be that we won't have access to the surf club until February 2017 (proposed completion of stage 1 of the project).
Stage 1 is up to lock up for ground level. Stage 2 is the fit out of level 1 of the extensions, which is financially our responsiblity, this was negoitated with council. The approx cost with-out Stage 2 fitout is around $2.3M.
This has been a 6 year process securing funding including grants, club fundraising and council coming to the party to make this a reality for our members.
The works also include a complete refurbishment of the existing club premises, new electrical work, painting inside of the surf club, extra bathroom and change faclitiies for our members along with the extensions.
A quick overview of the extensions is listed below;
Ground Floor
- Provide additional enclosed storage space for surf lifesaving craft and equipment (surf club & council equipment)
- Convert existing meeting room into storage space for junior activities section, smaller training room and additional shower area
- Expand exercise room into existing storage area to suit existing equipment needs
- New entry, stair to upper floor and disability access lift
- Existing car-park to remain with ambulance access maintained
First Floor
- Provide new training room for club meetings and large group training sessions
- Provide new office for club manager/secretary
- Kitchen and toilet facilities
- Storage for tables & chairs
- New observation deck/balcony facing beach and parkland
- New stair access, including a disability access lift
- Maintain access to lifeguard observation room
The proposed development will alleviate the current storage/amenities problem at the surf club and is seen as a great development for the future needs of our members.
Season 2016-2017 is going to be challenging but we are sure that our leaders within the club will be prepared to operate with all facets of surf club activity happening as per normal...well as effeciently and effectively as possible.
Bulli Surf Life Saving Club took a small squad of 14 athletes to the 2016 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships last weekend at Ryde Aquatic Centre and came away with a swag of medals. Athletes ranging in age from U12 through to U19 competed against the best pool rescue athletes in the state.
Bulli Team consisted of U12 Holly Holmesby – Emily Gordon, U13 Isabella Ravino – Jade Timbrell U14 Zara Sharman – Kaimana Fittock – Bronte Sweeny – Georgia Green – Jade Swann U17 Timothy Gordon – Sheree Farrell – Natasha Burke – Kelsey Cresswell U19 Alexandra Smiroldo
Team Manager Keith Caldwell Assistant Team Manger Ngaire Brown
Some stand-out performances came from;
Holly Holmesby in the U12’s where she swam in 3 individual events & collected 3 gold medals
Isabella Ravino in the U13’s with 3 individual swims for 2 silver & 1bronze medal
Kaimana Fittock & Zara Sharman in the U14’s who both collected 1 Gold & 1 Silver in individual events
Sheree Farrell & Kelsey Cresswell in the U17’a picked up 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze & 1 Gold & 3 Bronze respectively
Alexandra Smiroldo in the U19’s took home a Silver & 2 Bronze medals in individual events.
Our relays performed strongly over the two days with our U12-13, U14-U15, U17-U19 collected medals in each discipline.
The club finished 3rd in the Open Point-Score & 6th in the Youth Point-Score.
Massive thank you to Scott Gordon who was the Chief Pool Setter for the event, he was in the water for the two days of competition. Thanks also to Neil Roberston from Bellambi SLSC who assisted as one of our rostered pool setters. To the mum's that each took on roles as time keepers in our allocatted time slots, a big thank you.
Team Manager & Coach Keith Caldwell said, “ The whole team performed outstandingly over the two days. The performances were better than expected with 24 clubs contested the championships with large numbers in the younger age groups. Our team made up of 13 girls & 1 boy did the club proud, pool rescue is a good discipline to teach the kids some skills involving rescue techniques and this only makes them better lifesavers for the future. It is all about speed, skill, technique in a great range of events. Jade Swann recently joined us from another northern beaches surf club and now she has picked up her first state medal in surf life saving, how good is that to see for a young girl in team events. We have a strong history in pool rescue, it is a pathway to higher representative honours and the future is looking bright.”
Congratulations to Isabella Ravino, Emily Gordon, Jade Swann, Kelsey Cresswell & Alexandra Smiroldo on being sucessful in gaining a start at the 2016 SLSNSW Pool Rescue Clinic this weekend (2/3 July 2016) at Lane Cove.
The clinic runs over 2 days and supports the growth of pool rescue competition, it provides athletes and development coaches with the opportunity to be coached by some of the best Pool Rescue coaches in NSW.
These clinics will be tailored towards all skill levels and aims at improving athlete’s fundamental skills in order for them to achieve their personal best in pool rescue competition.
The clinics on offer will be separated into squad groups (guide only): Beginner: Little to no pool rescue experience (U12 to Masters) Intermediate: Consistent level of pool rescue training experience (U14 to Masters) Emerging Elite: Competed in pool rescue competition and consistently making finals (U14 to Opens) High Performance: Competing at the highest level of pool rescue competition, medaling in events and aspires to be in the 2016 State Team (U14 to Opens).
This will be a good experience for our girls leading into next weekend's State Pool Rescue Championships at Ryde. We have 14 athletes competing next wekend.
HON SHARON BIRD MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM
LABOR SUPPORTS THE UPGRADE OF BULLI SLSC
A Shorten Labor Government will upgrade the Bulli Surf Life Saving Club so local lifesavers can continue to do their great work and protect beachgoers.
The project is a partnership between the Club and Wollongong City Council, and Federal Labor will provide this funding to help get the upgrade completed.
Bulli Surf Life Saving Club has over 500 members, including 135 patrolling members, and they have outgrown the existing facilities.
An upgrade is needed to modernise the Club and provide a proper home for lifesavers, who completed 4,130 hours of patrol last summer, including 37 rescues, 41 first aid provisions and 672 preventative actions.
Sharon Bird said that local surf club volunteers provided an essential service to the community in keeping local residents and tourists safe on the beach over summer.
“I know how much work it takes to keep our many beautiful beaches patrolled over the summer months. Our volunteers undertake many hours of training and then volunteer their own time for patrolling. Our local surf lifesaving volunteers are recognised as some of the country’s best having won numerous state and national awards,” Ms Bird said.
In government, Labor partnered with local governments on more than 6,000 community projects across the nation including building libraries, community centres and swimming pools, and fixing roads.
Labor understands the need to invest in local community infrastructure, and will provide $200,000 towards the cost of the new extension and fit-out on this project.
This pledge reaffirms Labor’s commitment to putting people first in the Illawarra.
Club President Keith Caldwell said, "It is always a pleasure to have Sharon Bird at any club activity/event. She has been so supportive of us over the years but now we sit and wait and see if Labour win the election. Which ever way the election goes Sharon is a true believer in our efforts within the community and for that I thank her personally on behalf of our members."
Another great night last Saturday (18 June) at Bulli Workers Club where we acknowledged the outstanding achievements by our members in all aspects of surf life saving.
Close to 110 member and guests attended the night with our MC Noel Freeman (Life Member) keeping the crowd entertained, between him & President Keith doing a duo comedy routine some thought amusing.
Special Guests in attendance included Hon Sharon Bird (Federal Member for Cunningham), Lord Mayor of Wollongong Gordon Bradbery OAM and Surf Life Saving Illawarra President Val Zanotto.
A 20 min DVD produced by Ingrid Cardillo & Keith Caldwell showed the crowd in attendance how much the club does during a season and the community service we provide.
Our loyal sponsors and supporters were acknowledged and club umbrella’s were given to each that attended as a token of our appreciation.
A detailed summary of our award winners will be listed in our Annual Report.
Listed below are our 3 Club Person's of the Year. Congratulations to Holly, Morgan & Markus...the 3 thoroughly deserve the accolades given to them for a great season.
U16 ‘Jack Horne Memorial’ Club Person of the Year
Holly Colquhoun – first year out of nippers, Holly gained her Surf Rescue Certificate and completed 65hrs this year patrolling & recorded 100% patrol attendance. Holly assisted with Foragers Markets & Lifesavers Appeal Week plus the Riding the Wave Special Needs Program thoroughly enjoying the experience. A keen young member of the club, Holly is also an Age Manager. She is a very polite young lady and respects her peers.
U19 ‘Fred Dunn Memorial’ Club Person of the Year
Morgan Richards – completed 42.25hrs patrol this season and holds the following lifesaving awards Bronze Medallion, Silver Medallion Basic Beach Management, Spinal Management, ARTC, also receiving her 5yr National Patrol Service Award. Morgan was part of the State/National Rescue of the Month and showed maturity above her years in assisting in this dangerous rescue. She embraced the Riding the Wave Special Needs Program and was outstanding looking after the kids. Morgan also competed at the Branch Championships in individual & team events picking up 7 medals in total.
‘John Bruton Memorial’ Club Person of the Year:
Markus Meier-Lindner – like a good wine only getting better at what he does! 2nd consecutive year as Club Person but no one in the club could deny this bloke the award. During the winter months he organised a Maintenance Program for our ATV/IRB’s. He also put together a ‘Roll Over Recovery Kit’ & Manual for our IRB’s....it had to be used during the season and definitely prolonged the working life of our IRB engine’s with this procedure. He had 100% patrol attendance completing 111.25hrs patrol (not mentioning all the hours he is down at the beach not signed on). Markus has the following life saving awards Bronze Medallion, IRB crewman/driver, ARTC, Silver Medallion Basic Beach Management, First Aid certificate, Junior Age Managers Course. When the call goes out for assistance in any club activity, Markus is available. Markus completed many hours at Foragers Markets, sold raffle tickets at Bulli Beach Caravan Park, assisted with our Sea Cliff Ocean Paddle. Stepped up to the mark and looked after patrols due to Scott’s work commitments this year and never missed a beat. All round another outstanding season for Marcus and a worthy Club Person of the Year.
After voting at the Special General Meeting on 29th May and after registration with NSW Fair Trading members can find the clubs new Constitution & By-Laws on the links page of the website or in the Bulli section of the library in the Members Portal.
Great night at the SLSI Awards of Excellence last night at the Novotel North Beach. Members really enjoyed themselves, hmm maybe some more than others 🍻🍻🍷🍷 well done to all of our nominations & congratulations on the achievements of all Illawarra lifesavers last night. The club had a good night winning Surf Sports Official of the Year (Peter Hammersley), Surf Sports Club of the Year, Team of the Year (Open Men's Boat Crew), Initiative of the Year (Sea Cliff Ocean Challenge) plus along with High Commendations given to Kaimana Fittock (Junior Athlete), Jamie Caldwell (Trainer Education), Kiah Taylor (Young Lifesaver). Our Branch, State & National Rescue of the Month (Dec 2015) was also acknowledged. Congrats everybody👏👏
BULLI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB proudly presents our 103rd Year Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation
Please join the President and Management Committee in celebrating the 2015-2016 Surf Lifesaving Season on Saturday 18 June 2016 at Bulli Workers Club Princes Highway Bulli.
6pm Pre Dinner drinks Commence 6.45pm
Cost $40 includes 2 course meal plus sweets/coffee/tea table
Please advise of any special dietary needs
Dress ‘Casual’
Contact either Secretary Sean Taylor seanleannetaylor@bigpond.com or President Keith Caldwell mkcaldwell@bigpond.com to book your seat.
Come along and celebrate our great season in life saving & surf sports. Congratulate our members who obtained education awards and those that will receive club awards on the night.