V-Sheet Vsheet March 2019 | Page 3

President’s Report Volunteer Marine Rescue PRESIDENT: Martin Walsh SOUTHPORT - SURFERS PARADISE 2018 - 2019 Assoc. Inc. PO Box 866 Southport Qld 4215 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Another year is well underway and VMR Southport, along with the Seaway Tower, have seen a very busy start to what could well be a turning point year for Marine Rescue in Queensland. Web Site: www.vmrsouthport.com.au MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2018 - 2019 PRESIDENT Martin Walsh VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY Helen Stanfield Diana Gibson TREASURER John Kaus OPERATIONS Peter Barker SEARCH & RESCUE Merv Handley COMMUNICATIONS John MacDonald RADIO OPERATORS Beverley Weldon COMMITTEE Annie Erichsen COMMITTEE Craig Maloney Vsheet Editor: Glenn Norris [email protected] Graphics: Mike Oram [email protected] Advertising: Glenn Norris [email protected] At a local level, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) have been negotiating with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to obtain Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) approval to carry out internal repairs and improvements to the Seaway Tower (SWT). Funding was obtained via the State Minister and plans were submitted. Approval was granted and tenders requested. In preparation for a successful tender being appointed in February 2019, we were requested to vacate the SWT by January 31 st 2019. VMR Southport is now the home of the SWT radio operations! (on a temporary assignment). It’s expected that a return to the renovated SWT will occur in May 2019. At a State level, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) have released the Blue Water Review report into Queensland’s volunteer marine search and rescue organisations. QFES Acting Commissioner Mark Roche said the comprehensive and broad-based review conducted by retired Royal Australian Navy Commodore, Campbell Darby DSC AM, included a thorough investigation of existing marine rescue arrangements in Queensland.  “The Review examined and identified issues in the provision of marine search and rescue services by the two volunteer organisations: The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and the Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ),” Mr Roche said. https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/Documents/Review-into-VMR-Organisations-in-QLD.pdf A working group of consultants and volunteers will be formed in early 2019 and I have been personally contacted by The Honourable Craig Crawford MP, Minister for Fire and Emergency Service (QLD), in writing, indicating that VMR Southport will be a part of this working group. And here everyone thought that we just love going boating and being on the water! Look at all the behind the scenes work it takes to keep our Rescue boats buoyant, fiscally that is. Safe Boating Martin Walsh President 2018 - 2019 Gold Coast Seaway Tower Hours: Mon - Sun: 0500 - 1800 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] FRONT COVER Marine Rescue 1 on patrol DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors of articles in the Vsheet are not necessarily those of Volunteer Marine Rescue Southport - Surfers Paradise Assoc. Inc. (VMR) nor does VMR guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or accept any responsibility for any product or service statement made herein. PROUD SUPPORTERS OF VMR SOUTHPORT Vsheet - MARCH 2019 3