A beachside club has been recognised for its big-hearted ways at a special gala in Brisbane.
The Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Supporters Club received a Heart of the Community Award for its powerful work with kids with disabilities and disadvantaged children, at the the Keno & Clubs Queensland Awards for Excellence.
It was also acknowledged as the best boutique club in the state and was among a selection of Sunshine Coast clubs to win awards at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Their inclusive Seahorse Nippers program earned glowing reviews, for providing special needs children with fun times at the beach.
The program allows youngsters to take part in sand activities, swimming, surfing and kayaking, in a happy and safe environment, with the support of club members.
Club president Ross Fisher said the “pure delight” in the faces of the youngsters was incredibly rewarding.
“To let these kids get sand between their toes, get wet and enjoy a few hours (in the surf) … was something we felt we must do for the local community,” he said.
Volunteer Pete Williams said the “brightness in kids’ faces” and the “high-fives” was what drove volunteers to be involved in the Seahorse Nippers program, while esteemed former Olympian Dawn Fraser was also among those to pay tribute to the program.
The Heart of the Community Award recognises those individuals and groups who have been the “unsung heroes” either in the club or broader community.
The club’s wave of success did not end there, as they were adjudged the best boutique club in Queensland (for clubs with 1-39 poker machines) and there with runner-up awards to Ian Young (Director of the Year) and Anton Mogg (Secretary/Manager of the Year).
Maroochy Surf Club’s Jack Orr was recognised as the Young Manager of the Year, Coolum Surf Club received a Special Achievement Award – Responsible Service of Alcohol, while Club Kawana was runner-up in the hotly-contested Best Bowls Club category.
Clubs Queensland CEO Kelly Egan commended the resilience of Sunshine Coast clubs in the face of ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the constantly evolving landscape, our clubs have continued to provide invaluable service and social support for members and local communities,” he said.
“It has been particularly special this year to be able to again gather face-to-face for the awards night, which was a richly-deserved acknowledgement of the great work of clubs statewide.
“Community clubs have a proud history of fostering local spirit and delivering top-shelf facilities. The Sunshine Coast has again been prominent for the exemplary way its clubs have maintained their connection to community.”
Clubs in Queensland are membership-based, not-for-profit organisations providing services to members and the local community.
There are more than 840 community clubs in Queensland with a combined 3.4 million memberships.
Clubs employ more than 23,000 people, return over $850 million in social contributions and generate annual economic activity valued at more than $2 billion for the state’s economy.
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