A female surf boat crew is the beneficiary of a generous donation to the Nambucca Heads Surf Life Saving Club made by the Iredale family.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Leanne Johnson, Annette Welsh, Wendy Welch, Kerry Trudget, Stephanie Iredale and seventy-eight-year-old sweep, Nambucca SLSC life member Gary Johnson, now have a surf boat to use for their voyages on the Nambucca River.
The boat formerly belonged to iconic Wanda SLSC and is named after life member of that club, the late John ‘Mick’ Iredale. Wanda SLSC gave it to the Iredale family, so John's son, Greg Iredale, who is the boat captain at Nambucca Heads SLSC, brought it up here for the women to use.
Wanda SLSC was established following World War II in 1946 by returned servicemen in the sand hills of North Cronulla. The club colours are red signifying the army, and two blues symbolising the navy and air force.
Greg said his family were happy to see the boat and its famous colours on the river.
"I sent a photo to my brothers and they thought it was awesome to see it on the water," Greg said.
"My daughter said Dad would have loved to see the Wanda colours flying proud.”
Greg says his family have felt a lifelong connection to the beach.
"Mum had us down the beach as little kids, we grew up on the beach," he said.
"Wanda was one of the first city clubs to have nippers, so we joined. We also did surfing, the beach was our lives. We just love the beach and that love is still there today."
Greg, who continues his involvement in surf lifesaving to make the beach a safer place for people to enjoy, is pleased the women are able to put the vessel to good use.
"It needed a good home and it found one. If it went to another club, they might want to take the name off it, whereas these girls are happy to leave it,” he said.
Greg said the women had completed some minor repairs before successfully hitting the water two weeks ago.
"We're hoping someone sees the boat on the water and is encouraged to pursue surf boat rowing," he said.
If you're interested in joining a surf boat crew, call Greg on 0438779591.