Special ceremony honours service

 

The Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) held its annual AGM in August at the renovated surf club.

Prior to the official AGM club members recognised the service and contribution of a number of past and present members in a special awards ceremony.

Club patron Marie Flavell was recognised for her ongoing service to MHVLS and was gifted an honourary life membership to the club. A cornerstone of the club for over two decades, she was also awarded a 50 year badge for overall involvement in surf life saving in New Zealand. Matt Williams from Surf Life Saving Northern Region was there to present the award.

Club ‘originals’ Rob Haworth, Dave Chisholm, Warrick Orr, and Jim Chisholm were presented with honorary life memberships to MHVLS. Fifth original, Stuart Murray, is now living in Perth.

At the AGM the new committee for the coming season at Mangawhai Heads was elected.

Daniel Russek was elected as club president after a season as club chairman. Russek brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role as he has been a life-long member of MHVLS as well as having a back-ground in SLS at a regional level and a strong business sense.

Tony Baker has taken over the role of club chairman after nearly 10 years on the committee in various roles. Baker has worked at SLSNR for two years as lifesaving academy manager having also a background in education.

The executive committee for the 2014/15 season includes Rochelle Flavelle, Alex Tidyman, Gordon Finlayson, Arnie Leader and club captain Patria Harris.

Other key roles include Shay Waldron (junior surf coordinator), Jess Costello (clubhouse director), Murray Dix (powercraft coordinator), Daniel Hassal (junior club captain).

Harris has taken over the role of club captain after coming through the ranks of SLS at both Mangawhai and at the regional level. Harris has been involved in lifeguard training, leadership camps and recently has worked as a profes-sional lifeguard for the regional lifeguard service.

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