Welcome to the 2009/2010 Season

Dear Members,

Welcome to the 2009/2010 season at Sandridge Life Saving Club, and in particular, this mammoth edition of The Ridge. We've all been working hard over the past few months, and there is a lot to keep up to date with! This issue contains some brief updates on opportunities, news, notices and calls for help, so please take the time to read it and get to know what is happening around the club this summer.

All the best!

Banjo Anderson
Director of Lifesaving

Patrols and Operations

We're back for another year!

Patrols are back this year, starting last weekend with a stellar effort from those involved. Get behind patrols this year and let's work together to make our beach safer! Patrol rosters and lists will be circulated soon, so please keep an eye out! Text message alerts will also be issued this season. We're always looking for patrolling efficiency, so if you can please try and ensure that if you can't make a patrol, that you organize a replacement, our club will continue to build its record of excellence!

If you want to patrol this season and have not received a call from us, please email us at email@sandridge.org.au. We'd love to hear from you!

First Aid Kit

Unfortunately, it seems that our brand new first aid kit has been taken and not returned to the club. Known for its' red complexion and reflector bands, this kit will be a sorely missed patrol member this summer.

If you have any ideas as to its whereabouts, we'd be more than happy to hear them! We're currently looking to fund the purchase of a replacement, so if anybody is able to help us with contributions to the purchase, this would be greatly appreciated too. Information should be directed to email@sandridge.org.au, as well as any sponsorship interest.

Patrol Officer

Patrol management is an enormous. Very few people appreciate the logistical challenges of ensuring that your patrols run smoothly, equipment is working and accessible, members are present, rosters are kept accurate, records are centralised... the list goes on.

One person who has recognized this though is Joe Bergin, who will this year be taking on delegated responsibilities within the Lifesaving (Operations) portfolio as the club Patrol Officer. Please, if you don't know Joe, introduce yourself - he's the one helping to make sure that your patrol is enjoyable, along with our Director of Lifesaving, Banjo Anderson.

If you have an interest in becoming more involved in an area of club operations, email@sandridge.org.au to find out more! We have positions and opportunities for all.

State Communications

Life Saving Victoria is currently seeking members for volunteer work in the communications and emergency operations centre (Port Melbourne). If you have any interest in this, please email us at email@sandridge.org.au to find out more!

Join the Club

Change in the Guard

After a term of invaluable contribution to the club, our very own Amanda McPherson has decided to step down from her position on the Board of Directors at Sandridge as the Director of Membership Services. Despite the challenges of a constantly evolving job, Amanda has been a true contributor to the club, partaking in training of awards, patrols, administration, nippers, and perhaps most notably, her organization of our clubs' presentation night last year, among a myriad of other achievements and actions.

"Amanda has truly set an exemplary standard of contribution to the club since joining a few years ago..." said Banjo Anderson, "... her willingness to give the famous 110% to all she does will most definitely be missed within the club administration. We wish Amanda all the best, and thank her once again for her contributions to the club thus far".

Amanda's position on the Board will be now filled by Rebecca Schot-Guppy, a new member of the club, District Officer for South Barwon, and already a key figure within the Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club. In her time at the club already, Rebecca has established the Sandridge Culturally and Linguistically Diverse program in conjunction with Life Saving Victoria, and will captain Monday night 30°+ patrol.

We wish Rebecca all the best in her new role, and can't wait to see her on the beach soon!

Have you renewed your membership?

If not, log onto www.lifesavingonline.com.au and do so RIGHT NOW! We need you back for another season, and with so much going on at the club, why wouldn't you want to join us for another year of laughs, social gatherings, training and patrols! Applications for membership are also available on our website; www.sandridge.org.au.

Uniforms

Sandridge has begun its transition to becoming an "own your own" uniform club. This means that members are now able to purchase their own (optional) patrol uniform for $30 incl. postage. Sporting a new look this summer, old uniforms are no longer to be worn on patrol, so get yourself one of these new and improved sets today! For order forms, please email us at email@sandridge.org.au.

The Young Guns

Nippers Season Begins in Style

Nippers have once again taken to the beach for the season with Director of Junior Activities, Josh Charlesworth, kicking off the season last week with good weather sparking speculation of an exciting season for the kids ahead! If you haven't registered for nippers already, HURRY! Places are limited. Email us at email@sandridge.org.au to find out more, and to register.

Nippers - HELP US!

As many would agree, last year's nipper program was potentially one of the high points within the club's history. This year, the growing program is in desperate need of YOUR help now!

Nippers are seeking volunteers in all areas as well as sponsorship. Volunteers are needed for water safety, food preparation, age group instruction, general assistance, administration and much more!

If you're available, and would like to help build our club's future at a grass roots level, there is no better way to get involved than through our nippers program. Please email us at email@sandridge.org.au to find out more.

Home and Contents

Keys

Many members would know of the constant battles we have with our current key system. Please be aware of changes to our key procedures, codes and locations over the coming weeks as we attempt to re-develop our club's security, access systems and protocols relating to the aforementioned.

We apologise for any inconveniences caused within this transitional period, however we hope that delays in the short term will see the development and improvement within the system in the long term.

As information comes to hand, emails will be sent to members detailing changes. For urgent updates, contact us at email@sandridge.org.au to find out more.

Required - Builders and Tradies

Sandridge is planning some basic improvements and repairs to our clubhouse in the coming months, and why not? Let's all chip in to make our club house a point of pride, and cheer up the sometimes bleak surroundings.

If you have skills in building, plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, or even if you're just the handiest person going round, please email us at email@sandridge.org.au. We're keen to see you help us refurbish the club we all want to be proud of!

Gear Shed, Patrol Room and First Aid Room

Have you been down to the club lately? Well, if you have, you may have noticed that some things have changed! Not only is the gear shed now organized in a fashion worth being proud of, a new patrol tower ladder has been installed, allowing us to reclaim the disused space within our patrol tower.

This season, our trusty tower will serve as our new patrol command centre, with all log books, radios, bum bags and other personal patrol equipment finding a new home on the patrol desk up top! If you're looking to sign on, find a Standard Operating Procedure or SLSA Policy; look no further than our tower!

Our first aid room too has changed. Sporting a new first aid bed, our examination room now allows access to the examination couch from all sides, as well as sufficient room to operate within in case of a serious emergency. Please respect this room, keep it clean, and attempt to ensure that its layout doesn't change too dramatically.

This also applies to our Gear Shed which is currently looking very neat, clean and under control thanks to the efforts of our members, including Joe Bergin and David Hysen, as assisted by others. Thanks guys!

Attention Patrol Captains and IRB Drivers and Crew

The club currently has three outdoor motors. There is the one that has been being used; this one is OK to go. There is the one with a white propeller; this may need attention as it was used by another club. There is the new one which needs to be run in before it is useable. All outdoors passed inspection but please limit usage to the current one until further notice.

Surf Boat Storage

It's that time of the year again. Days are getting longer, hotter, and filled with PATROLS! Yes, you guessed it! That means we're sending out this friendly reminder to all surf boat rowers, and kayak/ski paddlers, and members in general, that emergency exits, access points, parking bays and driveways are kept clear at all times. This includes all surf boats being parked to the side of the clubhouse (not in front of the roller door), and the beach access ramps not being left cluttered by trailers and vehicles. Thanks everybody!

Thankyou Westpac Port Melbourne

Sandridge would like to thank the Port Melbourne Westpac Branch for their support over the boardies day week of the 27th of November. They we able to raise over $300 in our support, and on Thursday of this week we were also presented with over $2000 worth of valuable spinal equipment, including 2 spinal boards, 2 sets of spinal straps, and 8 Neck Braces.

Thanks must go to the branch staff, lead by branch manager Ajay Kathpal, and the local Port Melbourne community! We look forward to continuing this relationship well into the future.

The Training Corner

Bronze Courses

Register your interest today for our bronze courses! We have several running in the coming weeks, but places are limited, so book in now! Call Banjo Anderson on 0404 554 844 for more details, and to register. Can't wait to see you there!

IRB Training and Other Advanced Awards

We're currently taking expressions of interest for IRB, ATV, Advanced Resuscitation Certificate, Defibrillation, Spinal Management and Basic Beach Management training, which will hopefully commence within the next two weeks.

Please email us at email@sandridge.org.au to ensure your name is on our contact list so that you hear about the courses you want to do. Now is a great opportunity to push your skills to a new level, while getting to know more club members, and exploring new areas of club operations.

Talk to us today about your goals so that we can work together to see you achieve them - remembering we're there to help you get more involved at any time!

November Bronze Medallion Squads

After a challenging few weeks, Sandridge is proud to announce that we're now joined by 12 new patrolling bronze medallion holders! We look forward to seeing them on the beach this season, and can't wait to see you there too! We'd like to congratulate the two groups on their achievement and extend a warm welcome to the ranks of over 140 000 volunteers nationwide who take to the beach annually to help protect the public, save lives, and enjoy the water!

Special thanks must go to our trainers - Joe Bergin (Patrol Officer) and David Hysen (Director of Facilities and Equipment) - for their outstanding work with the group over the last few weeks. We'd also like to thank our very own District Officer, Zeb Phoenix, for his continued contributions to training and assessment at The Ridge.

Additionally, we extend a warm welcome to the new District Officers of Otway - James Carew, and South Barwon - Rebecca Schot-Guppy. We look forward to growing our relationships with these districts, particularly in relation to the Training and Assessment of advanced awards, and patrol team growth.

Berwick Secondary College Bronze Crew

This year saw another 18 year 9 Berwick Secondary College students undertake their Bronze training and become our newest Bronzies. This training began in the classroom at school working through the theory and finished with Bronze camp at Sandridge from Thursday November 26th to Saturday November 28th.

Students worked incredibly hard over the Thursday and Friday working with trainers John, Bernadene and Cam from Lifesaving Victoria to polish up on their theoretical skills and spend lots of time in the water perfecting their board and tube rescues!

Saturday November 28th was assessment day and all students walked away exhausted but very proud of their success and keen to hit the beach over summer and keep our waters safe!

Training Officer and Assessor Awards

Ever thought of training others to do their Bronze Medallion, or even assessing them? Training and Assessment is a great way to meet members from across the nation; build on your personal and professional skills; and to help build the future of our club today!

Email us today about getting involved in the training and assessment of new members at the club - we're always looking for extra help! Even if you don't wish to instruct, volunteers are required to help in administration, water safety, logistical support and much more!

Lifesaving truly is a great avenue to contribute in the ways you are willing to, so email us at email@sandridge.org.au today, and find out how to get more involved in areas that interest you!

Around the Club

Boardies Day 2009

A big thanks must go out to all those who took on the Boardies Day Challenge for 2009 on the 27th of November, in particular, our major sponsor for the day - Westpac's Port Melbourne Branch. We really appreciate their support, and look forward to a growing relationship with them for a bright future of saving lives. If you or your business would like to sponsor Sandridge, please email us at email@sandridge.org.au to find out more.

Junior Club Captains

Congratulations to our two Junior Club Captains for this season - Gemma Dangerfield and Lauren Varadi. We're looking forward to seeing them around the club this season, so please introduce yourself to them if you get a chance!

Social Events

Interested in event planning? Let's have a party!

We're currently looking for a Social Coordinator for the club. If you're interested please email us at email@sandridge.org.au. We'd love to hear from you!

Directorship Open

Sandridge is looking for a Director of External Affairs and Communications. If you're interested please email us at email@sandridge.org.au. We'd love to hear from you!