Carol Berry (Whitlam, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to recognise Alan Beveridge OAM, who is an icon of Surf Life Saving in my electorate of Whitlam. It is no surprise that Alan has been honoured with life membership of the Warilla Barrack Point Surf Life Saving Club. He has been a patrolling member of the club for over 50 years. He has served as patrol captain, club captain, treasurer, vice president, and was president for almost 30 years. Over many decades, Alan has also coached both junior and senior members of the club and officiated at local branch, state and national carnivals. He is renowned for his readiness to provide guidance, encouragement and leadership.

Alan's dedication to surf lifesaving beyond his own club has resulted in his appointment as a life member of both the South Coast branch of Surf Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving New South Wales, and he has received the National Service Award from Surf Life Saving Australia. Alan was named Shellharbour Citizen of the Year in 2022 in recognition of his tireless dedication to the local community and surf lifesaving, and the following year he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to lifesaving.

On behalf of the people of Whitlam, I thank Alan Beveridge for his extraordinary dedication to the vital service of lifesaving and for everything he has given back so generously to our community.

I rise today to recognise Lake Illawarra Cricket Club, known affectionately as the Lakers, which has its home ground at Howard Fowles Oval in my electorate of Whitlam. I had the great pleasure of attending the club's 80th-year presentation night at Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club this month, which included the induction of three new life members: Tim Hore, Kylie Hore and Ryan Smith. Life membership is the club's highest honour, recognising exceptional service, unwavering commitment and lasting impact over many years.

Since it was formed in 1945. Lake Illawarra Cricket Club has won an extraordinary 24 club championships, 45 first-grade premierships of various kinds and 37 premierships across lower grades. But the Lakers do not measure success by adding up these competition victories, or the number of finals series they have qualified for or matches they have won. They measure success by the community they have created—not just the people who play cricket for the club but the volunteers who coach the juniors, prepare the ground, work behind the canteen and sit on the committee—and the lasting friendships that are built between these volunteers. By this important measure Lake Illawarra Cricket Club is an outstandingly successful cricket club and community organisation. I congratulate the Illawarra Cricket Club on 80 years of success both on and off the pitch, and I wish them all the very best for the future.