Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club held its first annual general meeting at its brand new state-of-the-art clubhouse on Sunday 21 July.
Club life member Chris Paterson was installed as president replacing the outgoing David Pavia.
The new OGSLSC Management Committee for 2019/2020 saw the introduction of two new vice presidents to cater for the growth of the new Ocean Grove Surf Beach Complex.
Former club secretary Lyndie Freestone was appointed vice president of club operations and community, while Scott McNaughton becomes vice president of strategy and commercial operations.
Mr Paterson said the two new vice president roles would vary and have different levels of expertise.
“The two vice-president roles are aligned with the growth in commercial activity anticipated for the new complex,” he told the Voice.
“Lyndie as vice president club operations and community will help oversee the areas of patrols, junior and senior competition, member well-being and training, whilst Scott as vice president strategy and commercial will oversee sponsorship and fundraising, facilities and sales and events.
“All these areas each have their own manager as well and the vice presidents will assist the president in driving overall strategy and vision for the club.”
Mr Paterson said OGSLSC’s expanding membership base through the popularity of their Junior Nipper program, its new clubhouse and the upcoming opening of the Dunes restaurant in August meant the club would have to cater for the growing surf patrol needs and an increased demand for hospitality services.
Ocean Grove SLSC increased its membership base to 957 members in 2018/19, which 368 members were junior activity members according to its 2019 annual report.
OGSLSC membership levels had experienced significant growth for the last three years despite no access to a clubhouse last season with its surf club building redevelopment.
In 2017/18 the club had 932 members up from 867 members in 2016/17.
“The next few seasons will no doubt see us expand our membership base along with our patrol operations and also our hospitality services for members,” he said.
“We also look forward to working with the Dunes Restaurant to provide significant conference, event and hospitality services to the community and the area.
“It will be important to us to deliver these services, but also cater for our members.
“We are expecting significant membership growth over the next few seasons and very much looking forward to a lot of this coming from the junior activities sector of the club, through surf education (Nippers) and surf sport.”
IN other OGSLSC Management Committee developments, Simone White was appointed club secretary, Jeff Ames stays on as treasurer, Sean Conquit joins as the new club captain, while Isabel Greer arrives in a new role in an education and training position.
Bruce Honey, Darren Ball, Ros Williamson and Steve Peatling were all re-elected in their roles from last season, while the sales and event manager role remains vacant.
MEANTIME the 40th Rip to River Classic run will take place on Saturday 28 December, 2019, while the club intends to run its Ocean Swim fundraiser event across the Australia Day weekend on Saturday 25 January, 2020.
OCEAN GROVE SLSC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2019/2020
President – Chris Paterson
Vice President (Club Operations and Community) – Lyndie Freestone
Treasurer – Jeff Ames
Secretary – Simone White
Club captain – Sean Conquit
Vice president (Strategy and Commercial) – Scott McNaughton
Competition Manager – Bruce Honey
Junior Activities Manager – Darren Ball
Education and Training – Isabel Greer
Sponsorship and Fundraising Manager – Ros Williamson
Sales and Event Manager – Vacant
Facilities Manager – Steve Peatling
