By Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club’s secretary, Harley Dreghorn

The Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Club building is now more secure with the installation and commissioning of a new security and access control system funded by a grant from the NSW Government.

In recent years Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC committee and members have been concerned about the lack of an effective alarm system to protect surf life saving equipment stored within the building, including ATVs, inflatable rescue boats, rescue boards, and defibrillators.

In December 2023, an application was made for a $30,237 Surf Club Facility Grant from the NSW Government to replace the building’s outdated security system. With the support of the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, the grant was approved, and installation completed in early November.

The Surf Club was also successful in obtaining a funding grant of $8410 from Tradies Helensburgh to install CCTV cameras within the building at the same time, as part of the security upgrade. The cameras are intended to deter vandalism and damage to the building and club assets, and provide a visual record to assist in identification of intruders who attempt to enter the building when not attended.

On Sunday, December 15, Maryanne Stuart was on hand to test the building’s new access control system and used an electronic tag to close the door to the equipment storage area as our 185 nipper members, parents and patrol members watched on.