Saturday 12 March 2016

The new $2.6 million Seaspray Surf Life Saving Clubhouse provides a major boost for lifesavers and the local community.

Representing the Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing officially opened the clubhouse today.

The new facility is a significant upgrade for the club and is more than double the size of the previous clubhouse. It includes larger training facilities, a dedicated committee room and improved change rooms.

There is more space to store all the club’s emergency equipment, some of which previously had to be stored off-site in shipping containers and other locations due to lack of space.

The new clubhouse will also be a resource for the local community, providing dining and conference facilities with a state of the art kitchen.

A first aid room that offers patient privacy and clear access to emergency services will also open soon along with the patrol tower, which will be built on the dune.

The project was possible thanks to Victorian Government grants of $1.5 million, with money from the Life Saving Victoria Club House Upgrade Fund, the Regional Development Fund and a grant from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club also raised an impressive $830,000 for the new building and Wellington Shire Council contributed $270,000.

Seaspray hosts an influx of summer campers every year who enjoy Ninety Mile Beach and Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club’s 300 members work tirelessly to keep them safe.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing:

“The new Seaspray Life Saving Clubhouse is an excellent facility for the lifesavers here to continue providing their vital service, giving their time to ensure Gippslanders and visitors to the region can be safe in the water.”

“It is important lifesavers have the resources and facilities they need to keep our beaches and waterways safe.”

“With this new clubhouse, Seaspray’s lifesavers and the local community, have an improved and more comfortable workplace and training facility.”

“Lifesavers do incredible work but they can’t be everywhere. All Victorians need to remember, when enjoying the water, to always swim between the flags and never swim alone. Water safety is paramount.”