Our Club, Our Home
In the Beginning…
Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club Long Reef SLSC was founded in 1950 with 29 members and without a clubhouse. Part of a bus shelter on Pittwater Road was leased from the then Dept of Road Transport and Tramways to act as a gear shed.
Current membership is over 750 ranging from nippers to retired founding members. As a number of founding members attended or had attended the Shore School in North Sydney the school colours navy blue and white were adopted as the club colours. Long Reef SLSC can proudly boast No Lives Lost during patrol hours.
About Long Reef Beach Long Reef beach can be found on Sydneys Northern beaches. It is the northern half of the 1.8 km stretch of beach running from the base of Long Reef headland south to Dee Why Point. The beach is bracketed by an Aquatic Reserve golf course and a lagoon and wild life refuge. The beach faces the south east and picks up any east to south east swell. This makes it one of Sydneys higher energy beaches. The waves average 1.6 m being highest in the south and centre decreasing north of the Long Reef surf club owing to some protection from the outer reefs (bomboras).
Long Reef is a relatively popular summer beach offering some protection from the summer nor Easters. In winter it is exposed and often blown out but very popular with windsurfers and kite surfers.
Long Reef Patrol Season 1952/53
Club Information
Management Committee and Board of Management 1950 – 2012
LRSLSC Examiners and Assessors
Advanced Lifesaving Certificate (Gold Medallion) recipients
Club Awards and Members Recognition
Long Reef SLSC Members – Awards of Excellence
N.S Jones ‘Best Club Member‘ 1950-2012
75th Anniversary Services to the Club
Rob Murray Memorial ‘Instructor of the Year‘
A. Lane Perpetual Trophy for Surf Belt Championship
Rick Scarf ‘Competitive Achievement Award‘
Simon Philpott Memorial Trophy – Surf Swim
The Grace & Judge Perpetual Trophy for Club ‘Surf Championship’
AUSTRALIAN HONOURS
John Freedman OAM 1987
Ross Matthews OAM 11th June, 2007
David MacIntosh AM 13th June, 2011
LRSLSC Australian Honour recipients
Long Reef SLSC Presidents
Annual Reports
Long Reef SLSC has a relatively short history compared with other Surf Life Saving Clubs around Australia. The club was founded in 1950 and we have a short but proud history. History is important because we are the past, we are the sum of all the events, good, bad, and indifferent that has happened to us.
This is true not only for the individual but for organisations such as ourselves. The only way we can understand who we are and how we got to be that way is by studying the past. So I hope that you enjoy reading about our past in this years and understand the contributions made by former members. This is your clubs history and it is that history that has helped shape our club of today.
“We study the past to understand the present; we understand the present to guide the future.” – William Lund
1st Annual Report – Season 1950-51
2nd Annual Report – Season 1951-52
3rd Annual Report – Season 1952-53
4th Annual Report – Season 1953-54
5th Annual Report – Season 1954-55
6th Annual Report – Season 1955-56
7th Annual Report – Season 1956-57
8th Annual Report – Season 1957-58
9th Annual Report – Season 1958-59
10th Annual Report – Season 1959-60
11th Annual Report – Season 1960-61
12th Annual Report – Season 1961-62
13th Annual Report – Season 1962-63
14th Annual Report – Season 1963-64
15th Annual Report – Season 1964-65
16th Annual Report – Season 1965-66
17th Annual Report – Season 1966-67
18th Annual Report – Season 1967-68
19th Annual Report – Season 1968-69
20th Annual Report – Season 1969-70
21st Annual Report – Season 1970-71
22nd Annual Report – Season 1971-72
23rd Annual Report – Season 1972-73
24th Annual Report – Season 1973-74
25th Annual Report – Season 1974-75
26th Annual Report – Season 1975-76
27th Annual Report – Season 1976-77
28th Annual Report – Season 1977-78
29th Annual Report – Season 1978-79
30th Annual Report – Season 1979-80
31st Annual Report – Season 1980-81
32nd Annual Report – Season 1981-82
33rd Annual Report – Season 1982-83
34th Annual Report – Season 1983-84
35th Annual Report – Season 1984-85
36th Annual Report – Season 1985-86
37th Annual Report – Season 1986-87
38th Annual Report – Season 1987-88
39th Annual Report – Season 1988-89
40th Annual Report – Season 1989-90
41st Annual Report – Season 1990-91
42nd Annual Report – Season 1991-92
43rd Annual Report – Season 1992-93
44th Annual Report – Season 1993-94
45th Annual Report – Season 1994-95
46th Annual Report – Season 1995-96
47th Annual Report – Season 1996-97
48th Annual Report – Season 1997-98
49th Annual Report – Season 1998-99
50th Annual Report – Season 1999-2000
51st Annual Report – Season 2000-01
52nd Annual Report – Season 2001-02
53rd Annual Report – Season 2002-03
54th Annual Report – Season 2003-04
55th Annual Report – Season 2004-05
56th Annual Report – Season 2005-06
57th Annual Report – Season 2006-07
58th Annual Report – Season 2007-08
60th Annual Report – Season 2009-10
61st Annual Report – Season 2010-11
62nd Annual Report – Season 2011-12
63rd Annual Report – Season 2012-13
64th Annual Report – Season 2013-14
65th Annual Report – Season 2014-15
Life Members
1960 Rob Urquhart *
1966 Warwick Connolly *
1971 Ross Tompson
1973 Alexander (Giff) Brown
1973 Jim (James) Hutchings
1982 Ross Matthews
1985 George Metcalfe
1991 Ian Waterhouse
1995 Malcolm MacCormick
1997 Peter Kinsey
2002 Bruce Gaal
2004 Peter Selosse
2005 David MacIntosh
2007 Lex Brown
Long Reef SLSC Distinguished Service Members
2006 Lex Brown
2006 Robert Galmes
2006 Geoff Hayman
2006 Leigh Johnson
2006 Robert Murray *
2006 Kevin Palmisano
2006 James Selosse
2006 David Sams
2006 Mary-Ann Selosse
2007 Nigel Scozzi
2008 Kristie Thomas
2008 Douglas Lucas
2010 Stephen Cox
2012 Seamus Redmond
* Deceased.
Sydney Northern Beaches Branch Life and Distinguished Service Membership
1993 Ross Matthews Life Member
2008 David Macintosh Distinguished Service Member
2008 Peter Selosse Distinguished Service Member
2010 Doug Lucas, Distinguished Service Member
Surf Life Saving NSW Life Membership
AGM Minutes & Constitution
Long Reef SLSC Annual General Meeting Minutes
Long Reef Constitution & Bylaws: Long Reef SLSC Constitution – Aug 2019
Urquhart Foundation
Rob Urquhart – Founding Member.
Robert Urquhart one of the clubs founding members and was the clubs first Club Captain. Born in 1930 Rob or Robbie as he was known attended Shore school commencing in 1943 where he was a very keen rower and rugby player. Rob with several of his mates many of them Shore boys and several members from Collaroy SLSC formed Long Reef SLSC in 1950. The club colours and club coat of arms were designed in a similar fashion to that of Shores and those close ties still continue to this very day. In the early days Rob’s home in Hay Street, Collaroy. Initially they used Robbies house store the clubs meagre rescue equipment until the club later rented space underneath the tramshed (later bus shed) on Pittwater Road. Long Reef SLSC has come a long way since those days. Rob continued to take an interest in Long Reef until his sudden death in November, 2006. Rob was made a life member in 1960 and filled a number of Committee roles including.
Club Captain
1950/51, 1951,52, 1952/53, 1953/54, 1954/55 and 1956/57 (6 seasons)
President
1961 – 1967 (6 seasons)
Upon Robert’s death Robert had arranged through his family to donate a sum of money to the club, which assisted to purchase two rowing machines as to be used by the boat rowers with Surf Boat rowing being one of Rob’s great passions whilst a club member. As such the Fellowship has been named the Urquhart Fellowship as Rob was a man with great vision for his time and was an inspiration to so many.
The Urquhart Fellowship
The Fellowship was established in February, 2008 to honour and recognise those who offer their commitment and generosity to Long Reef SLSC in the form of a bequest. Membership of the Urquhart Fellowship is open to anyone who makes a bequest to Long Reef SLSC.
We are proud of Long Reef SLSC and all that has been achieved in the clubs lifetime due to the tireless efforts of current and former members. It has a fine tradition of providing many years of first class volunteer lifesaving service protecting our community combined with ongoing education of our members. To continue these strong traditions and community service in our dynamic world, we need to maintain a stable financial base from which we can operate. With limited council, government support and funding we need to work actively to ensure our financial security into the future. This is now more than ever our challenge.
What is a Bequest?
A bequest is a gift in your Will. Through a bequest to Long Reef SLSC in your Will you can make a gift that will contribute to the future of the club whilst still enjoying your assets during your lifetime.
Such gifts are very personal and can be made in a variety of ways to reflect your particular wishes. These gifts can be made as follows:
- A specific sum of money,
- Stocks and shares,
- Insurance policies,
Specific assets such as collections of a valuable nature, works of art, memorabilia etc,
A percentage of your estate – this ensures the other beneficiaries are not affected by possible changes in the size of your estate or by inflation,
The residue of your estate – after providing for your family and friends, you may decide to leave the remainder of your estate to Long Reef SLSC, and
A combination of the above.
How will my bequest be used?
Most people will direct their bequest in an unrestricted way to the club. These gifts allow the club to use the donations in areas of particular need as governed by the Management Committee and Club Executive.
Others prefer to direct their bequest to an area that has touched their lives such as surf boats, IRBs, capital works, rescue equipment, nippers, youth development such as specific youth scholarships or trips.
A bequest is an opportunity for you to make a very special, tangible and lasting gift that will touch the lives of future Long Reef SLSC members.
How do I make a gift or bequest? Click Here: (Urquhart booklet)
Questions – Please contact president@longreef.com
Photos – 1. Long Reef SLSC – Early 1950’s, 2. Preparing the Rescue Reel for patrol early 1950’s, 3 Rob Urquhart with then Club President Rob Pearson and Club Captain Doug Lucas in 2005 at Blazer presentation evening, 4. Rob Urquhart (towel) on Long Reef Beach early 1950’s.
Vale
Ray Van Weeren 19/2/1960 – 27/1/2007
Surf Com Surf Com this is Long Reef Patrol – ‘HBI Ray Van Weeren signing off. Surf Com I won’t be able to make the next few patrols so if you can remind my patrol I am watching. Also don’t forget to check the Oxy, chalf the date, make sure they sign on, wear their caps and oh yeah don’t forget to relax over a bit of cake.’
Long Reef Patrol, Long Reef Patrol this is Surf Com. ‘Ray thanks for your dedication, and devotion on and off patrol. You have influences and touched so many of our lives and you will never be forgotten.
This is a time for remembering, a time to honour someone who will never be forgotten. Gone from our sight but never from our memories. Gone from our touch but never from our hearts.
Written by Seamus Redmond:
On Saturday 27th January, 2007 Long Reef SLSC saw the passing of one of our truly great and well respected members. Ray Van Weeren suffered a heart attack on Sunday 21st January and unfortunately passed away. Ray touched so many of the club joining Long Reef SLSC in 2000/01 obtaining his Bronze Medallion with fellow members Will Hardcastle and Michael Feilding. He then obtained his IRB Drivers becoming the Patrol Captain of Patrol 3 in 2001/02 until his death. Ray completed a number of awards including:
- Bronze Medallion, Silver Medallion IRB Drivers, Patrol Captains, IRB Crewman’s Certificate, SAED Defibrillator Certificate, Advanced Resuscitation Certificate, Train Small Groups and in 2006/07 his SRC and BM Instructors certificate.
Over the 5 years on patrol Ray completed 240 patrol hours, was heavily involved in the nippers movement, water safety and was an avid competitor in Sunday morning surf swims and Club Championships. His patrol Patrol 3 was nominated for patrol of the year 4 consecutive years winning Patrol of the year in 2003/04 and 2005/06. Ray also won the clubs Best Patrol member in 2003/04.
Goodbye Ray and thank you.
Rob Murray dedicated his life to teaching. Many of those teaching years were spent at Shore School and SCECGS Redlands. Rob was heavily involved in Long Reef SLSC as a club member and master. His passion for the club and its members ensured the high standards of training and education which lead to a major influx of members and a strong competition base. During this period in the late 1980’s and early 90’s Long Reef SLSC, thanks to Rob, had very strong junior’s and a well oiled Patrol Competition Team receiving accolades at the Branch and State Championships. Rob is still the longest serving Chief Instructor in the club’s history with 6 consecutive years. Rob past away in 2003 aged 49 years. His efforts and input into Long Reef SLSC will be remembered always.
Rob Urquhart – Founding Member.
Robert Urquhart one of the clubs founding members and was the clubs first Club Captain. Born in 1930 Rob or Robbie as he was known attended Shore school commencing in 1943 where he was a very keen rower and rugby player. Rob with several of his mates many of them Shore boys and several members from Collaroy SLSC formed Long Reef SLSC in 1950. The club colours and club coat of arms were designed in a similar fashion to that of Shores and those close ties still continue to this very day. In the early days Rob’s home in Hay Street, Collaroy. Initially they used Robbies house store the clubs meagre rescue equipment until the club later rented space underneath the tramshed (later bus shed) on Pittwater Road. Long Reef SLSC has come a long way since those days. Rob continued to take an interest in Long Reef until his sudden death in November, 2006. Rob was made a life member in 1960 and filled a number of Committee roles including.
Club Captain:
1950/51, 1951,52, 1952/53, 1953/54, 1954/55 and 1956/57 (6 seasons)
President:
1961 – 1967 (6 seasons)
Upon Robert’s death Robert had arranged through his family to donate a sum of money to the club, which assisted to purchase two rowing machines as to be used by the boat rowers with Surf Boat rowing being one of Rob’s great passions whilst a club member. As such the Fellowship has been named the Urquhart Fellowship as Rob was a man with great vision for his time and was an inspiration to so many.
David Lawson (1960’s era)
LRSLSC members were saddened by the news of the passing of Dave Lawson (Friday 29/7/2011). Dave joined the club in the 1960’s living in Collaroy. Dave was a member of the club for a number of years and was the Chief Instructor in 1963/64. Dave married his wife Robin who became involved with the club as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary assisting in the organisation of the club’s monthly functions. Following their marriage Robin and Dave moved to Queensland. Their pair were married for 41 happy and memorable years.