By Andrew Pearson, Illawarra Mercury, Sept. 27, 2015, 4:45 p.m.
AS Corrimal and Port Kembla surf life saving volunteers were briefed about what’s become of their clubs, patrols at nearby beaches were covered by lifeguards on Sunday.
Getting themselves back on the beach, doing what they love, was the consensus of about 40 concerned members who gathered at the Port Kembla club. A similar number met at Corrimal.
Daniel Burrell, 19, has been part of the Port Kembla Surf Life Saving Club since he joined as an eight-year-old.
Mr Burrell’s two younger sisters have followed his surf lifesaving journey.
“It’s just disappointing to see [the club deregistered]; it’s a service to the community we like to provide and we just want to be part of it,” he said. “We want to keep patrolling … we want to be on the beach next Sunday.”
Port Kembla’s Inflatable Rescue Boat captain Matthew Bergner said the whole club backed the decision not to sign the service agreement.
“It’s really upsetting. I don’t want to be a member of an organisation that … almost forces people into an agreement,” he said.
Above: Port Kembla Surf Life Saving Club captain David Edwards and Corrimal Surf Life Saving Club president Tony Cartwright briefed members on Sunday about a decision to deregister their clubs. Right: Port Kembla Surf Club members Daniel Burrell, 19, and Matthew Bergner, 25, outside the club after being briefed about the club’s future.
Originally published: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3385018/wave-of-frustration-for-surf-lifesavers/. Photos by Robert Peet.
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