It’s October, the flags are up, the sun is back and so are Surf Life Savers on Sundays.
Earlier this year, Monique McCullough, one of the newest members of Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Lifesaving Club, completed her Bronze Medallion training and assessment.
“It was brutal. I think it was some of the worst conditions that we've seen down at Stanwell Park. It didn't help that it has just been raining non-stop,” says Monique.
The Stanwell Park local is all smiles, however, and hopes that more locals in the Illawarra will sign up to have a go: “The more the merrier. It takes a village, I think the more people that we can get involved, the better. It builds a strong community and it's really fun too.”
The training was tough at times and Monique says she felt "relieved that it was over”, but the achievement was worth it.
“I felt very proud and excited because it was something I wanted to do and be able to," Monique says. "Just help out in the community over the summer. I've spent about 18 years in the States and so coming home, and seeing the red and yellow flags was reminiscent of childhood, and seeing the lifeguards and just knowing that that's something that I could contribute to my community on a Sunday: that was something that I wanted to do, so it felt really good to get the training done, so that I know, when the summer comes around, that I'll be on patrol and am able to lend a helping hand and a watchful eye.”
When asked if she would recommend others join a Surf Life Saving Club and get their Bronze Medallion, Monique is definite.
“I would say absolutely – go ahead and do your Bronze Medallion.
"Even if you have no intention of ever serving a day on patrol or ever serving as a water safety instructor at Nippers, it gives you a confidence that if you are out and about, whether it's in the city or at the shops, and if something happens, you at least know the basics and what to do. I think that that is basic training that really everyone should consider doing.”
Visit Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC or visit the SLS Illawarra website or Facebook page to find your local club
