AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010
For all those associated with surf lifesaving ,the Australian Titles this year was a tragic event. You would all know now that one of our fellow lifesavers, Saxon Bird a member of our close neighbours Queenscliff SLSC passed away whilst competing in an U19 event on the Friday of the carnival.
There can be no greater loss than to lose someone of such a young age with so much to contribute and with whom a large number of our members were well acquainted.
Manly Life Saving Club acknowledges this loss and all members of our club pass onto Saxon’s family and the Queenscliff SLSC our condolences and our shared grief.
A lot of us have watched Saxon develop into a fine young person at various carnivals from the close vantage point of the next tent and also a champion from across a sand bank.
We all know the pride that members of Queenscliff have in their club and their colours. Saxon wore these colours, ie the Red and the Blue, with great pride and success.
Similarly there is no greater item in our club, apart from its youth, than our Sky Blue cap because it recognises what our club is about and the great lifesavers and champions who have worn it for 99 years.
To recognise the loss of Saxon and to respect him and the Queenscliff club the executive acting on the suggestion of Mark Knapman approved the wearing of Queenscliff club colours on the left hand side of our sky blue cap on both the Saturday and Sunday of the Australian Championships.
A number of our members have competed in representative teams with Saxon, or in club teams against and others have socialised with him. These members know what a great person and competitor he was so let's join together as a club to look out and care for these members and allow this tragic event to be the reminder of how precious our youth is and to ensure that we continue as a club to foster, develop and educate our youth as we have done throughout our history.
Our executive, committee and all parents who attended the Australian titles are extremely proud of all competitors and how they competed and presented themselves over the Championships in very trying circumstances. Whilst these Championships in the end were not about the medal count I would like to acknowledge those who competed in a surf that was not in anyone’s comfort zone and, where each competitor knew that their safety was not guaranteed ( with the exception of our lion hearted beach event competitors , first aiders and march pasters of course).
Whilst the carnival was truncated this year for obvious reasons I set out below our individuals and teams who were awarded medals and points for our great competitive club.
I would also like to acknowledge our officials who assisted all over the place, our popular club members Mark Epper, Deb Hanson, Corinne , Al Tier and finally Zane our IRB legend who performed many rescues over the weekend despite suffering injuries to himself.
For all members and particularly those who were up there on the weekend, if you would like to speak to someone about Saxon or any concerns you have please contact me or our Club Captain, there are also TIPS representatives available who will speak to you.
Further, if any of you want to say something about your concerns or observations over the weekend please contact me by email at the club admin@manlylsc.com. I will ensure your comments reach the Broadbeach police who are preparing a brief for the Coroner.
Well done Manly LSC, you continue to show us what it is all about...let’s go forward.
Robbie Williams
President
RESULTS - Opens
Champion Lifesaver Mel Pelly GOLD
First Aid U15 Aiden Baldwin and Sita Mason GOLD
First Aid U17 Keegan Baldwin and Henry Teir BRONZE
Open First Aid Fran Brenchley, Sophie Tyner SILVER
U17 Male Beach RelayNick Mulcahy, Michael Paris, Pat Humphries, Robbie Jones GOLD
Open Female Belt RaceNaomi Flood GOLD
belt team - Trent Herring, Flo Epper, Robbie Williams (reel) Harrison Williams
Open Female Belt Race Emma Williams 4th
belt team - John Szaka, Mark Epper (reel) Michael Keelan, Allan Tier
Under 23 March PastEmma Williams, Fo Epper, Rebecca Keelan, Sarah Keelan, Abbey Jones, Polly Williams, Oakley Baldwin, Georgie Rowe, Sarah Knapman, FIona Knapman, Jessica Langrell, Kate O'Shea BRONZE
Under 17 March Past Jonte Kaplan, Dylan Bruce, Lachlan Bruce, Alexander Baker, Aiden Baldwin, Keegan Baldwin, Henry Tier, Sophie Hughes, Sita Mason, Kate Turner, James Traiforos, Meg Nicholson 4th
Open Female Surf TeamsFlo Epper, Stephanie Gosper, Emma Williams, Polly Williams 5th
