About 80kg of prawns brought the community and past and present members of the Point Lookout lifesavers together on January 6 for its annual Prawns at the Point event.
Hosted by the Point Lookout Old Boys Association, the function attracted about 130 people who enjoyed a feast of prawns prepared in various ways, attended by younger surf life saving members. The day included the auctioning of various memorabilia, including an oar which had been broken in three places and was now repaired. The oar, which had been used in a carnival in 1998 fetched $1000 with various other items attracting similar bids.
The auctions attracted half of the more than $20,000 which was raised at the event. All money supports the club’s surf girl entrant Sam Lavery and will be spent on rescue equipment.
The event is heady with community connections. The entertainment for example was by Clara Durbidge whose great grandfather Bob Durbidge was the first name appearing on the honour board as the club’s founder and first president in 1947/1948. Her grandfather Tony Durbidge was the first club captain.
CEO of Surf Lifesaving Queensland John Brennan is also a member of the club and manned the barbecue at the event.
Club President Sean Fallon said it was common to see several generations involved in the club, with its unique and isolated position creating a strong family and community feel.
Club captain and mid week life guard supervisor Calan Lovitt said the club had increased its membership by 30 per cent in the last three years and now had 220 nippers in its program.
“Unlike the coast clubs, this isn’t a place where parents dump their kids. The parents stay, eat here and sleep here and we become a family unit,” Mr Lovitt said.
Matthew Robinson (Emu), of Birkdale said he joined as a nipper in 1985, leaving to become a navy chef. He returned in 1994 and has become the activities director for juniors (nippers) from five to 13 years for the past three seasons. Both of his children Jayden, 13 and Hayley, 16, are actively involved.
“My personal satisfaction comes from seeing the kids develop not just as lifesavers but as people. Sometimes you meet these chidlren and at age seven or eight, they are a bit scared. By the time they are 13, they are lifesavers and doing rescues,” he said.
Mr Robinson contributed on January 6 as the head chef for the Prawns on the Point event.