On Monday, 17 June, the President of the Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) displayed the club’s gratitude to the local community for all their support with fixing the clubhouse.

President, Phil Perry, invited local, state and federal members of council to come along to the surf club to outline the new grant they have received, and to thank everyone that supported them along the way.

“Today is basically about thanking our LGA for the support they’ve given us in the last few months. It’s been pretty well publicised that we needed to fix a few things around the club and the support we’ve received has been overwhelming,” says Perry.

Due to the massive response from the Kiama community, the Kiama SLSC was able to raise enough money, paired with the grant they recieved from the NSW government, to fix the roof of the clubhouse.

“Basically we started the fundraising in November, and I think we raised $15,000 on New Years Eve, which is massive. We ended up making $40,000 which was the co-contribution amount we needed for the entire works (with the grant),” says Perry.

Work is predicted to begin in the first week of July. Not only will the roof be fixed, but an accessible toilet will also be added to the top level of the club.

“It’s about a five week period … Not only are we getting the fascia replaced and the box guttering and all the drainage fixed for good, we have also been afforded some funds to build an accessible toilet upstairs,” says Perry.

Perry also used the day to highlight the support of the federal, state and local governments who have supported the club as well.

“We also want to thank Gareth Ward who has helped us immensely in parliament, and Federal member Fiona Phillips,” says Perry. “And I can’t say enough about the Kiama Council, they've really helped us a bunch.”

Mayor Neil Reilly, who attended the event, says that the surf lifesavers play a vital part in the Kiama community and that it’s important they have the right facilities and resources to carry out their work.

“We have quite a number of beaches here, each with different typographies, each with different angles - north facing, east facing, south facing - and the training that these people have to do to work on each of those beaches is remarkable and whatever we can do to help, we will,” says Mayor Reilly.

There are a long list of local businesses that the Kiama SLSC wanted to thank: Blue Water Charters, Cicada Luxury Camping, Sebel, Butchers Nook, Easts Beach Caravan Park, Manning St Cellars, The Lodge, El Corazon, Jamberoo Action Park, Miss Arda, Silica, IGA, Fredericks IGA, Family OOSH, Club Jamberoo, Top Shop, Burnetts on Barney, Saltwater Cafe, Nude Cafe, Kiama Lions Club, Kiama Leagues Club, JJ's Indian, IMB Bank, Gerringong Lions Club, Kiama Amateur Fishing Club, Kiama Motor Cycle Club, Clayton Comber - DJ, Jaxstax & The Thrill Seekers - Rock Band, Bedrock Ceramics & Tiles, Coast 2 Country Painting Services, City Coast Services, DG Electrical, Connected Audio Visual, Dentocalm Dentist, Active Feet Podiatrist, Kiama Pharmacy, Coastal Float, Linen House.