First female president in 77 years
The Killcare Surf Life Saving Club has elected a female president for the first time in 77 years.
New president Ms Karen Burke received life membership from the club earlier this year.
She takes over from the long-serving president Cr Jim Macfadyen.
According to Hardy's Bay Resident's Group member Mr Allan Wilson, Ms Burke joined the club in 1988.
She has been a patrolling member for 13 of the ensuing years and variously held the positions of vice president, house vice president, junior activities chairman, chairman of the building committee, rookie coordinator and age manager.
"Along with fellow member Ms Catherine McMaster, Ms Burke was largely instrumental in promoting the development of the club's nippers program," Mr Wilson said.
"More recently, the popular Killcare architect closely collaborated with council officers throughout the lengthy reconstruction processes of the impressive surf club development in ensuring that the plan fulfilled the necessary requirements.
"Much of the credit for what has been described as an 'exciting concept in surf clubhouse design' has been attributed to her visionary outlook."
Predicting "exciting times ahead", Ms Burke is looking forward to a productive future for the club.
"We are most fortunate in having a committee comprising of hard working and dedicated people and we are enjoying a huge increase in new memberships," Ms Burke said.
"Currently, we have 53 members training for their bronze medallion and surf rescue certificates, in addition to the existing eighty lifesavers regularly patrolling our beach.
"We will be hosting a masters carnival on Saturday, November 28, and that will be a significant occasion for the club."
According to Ms Burke, the new-look club's auditorium is already proving to be a popular venue for weddings and other functions, while other clubhouse features such as Randall's on the Beach Restaurant and Steve and Helena's Kiosk are enjoying excellent patronage.
Another recent innovation, the Bluetongue Bar, is open to the public from noon until 7pm on Sundays.
Newsletter, 27 Oct 2009
Alan Wilson, Hardy's Bay Resident's Group