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 27^th 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 21^st 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.