Alan Veness

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Allan Veness has been an active member of Broulee Surfers SLSC since obtaining his Bronze Medallion in 1984 — over four decades of service as patroller, trainer, assessor, and the Club’s second longest-serving president. His life membership reflects a contribution that has shaped the Club in lasting and significant ways.

Patrol Service

Allan has served as Patrol Captain of Patrol 1 for many years and has maintained an almost exemplary 100% patrol attendance record across 25 years of patrolling — earning him a National Patrol Service Award this season. He remains an active patroller to this day, and is also a regular at the Sunday morning swim sessions at Broulee Beach.

Training & Education

Allan has served as the Club’s training officer and assessor for almost 20 years. Surfguard records show he has run 18 Bronze Medallion courses as trainer or assessor — though the actual number of courses and members he has taught over the years would be considerably greater. He has given up countless weekends to run new courses and ensure annual proficiencies are completed each season.

Allan holds 61 awards in Surfguard, including:

• Bronze Medallion
• IRB Crew
• Patrol Captain
• First Aid and Spinal Management
• Trainer and Assessor
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

President & Club Leadership

Allan served as Club President from 2012 to 2019 — the second longest presidency in the Club’s history. He has continued to serve in leadership roles since, including as Vice President, Acting President, and Chair of the Building Committee.

Under his stewardship, the Club achieved a number of significant milestones:

• Phase One and Phase Two Clubhouse Redevelopment
• Renovation of the gear shed
• Introduction of the Broulee Bay to Breakers Ocean Swim
• Introduction of the Canberra Nippers initiative
• Growth to a healthy and active membership base

Allan has also led ongoing negotiations with Eurobodalla Shire Council to achieve an equitable lease on behalf of the Club — negotiations that have been unresolved since 1985, but which Allan has pursued with great persistence.

Branch & Community

Beyond the Club, Allan represented Broulee Surfers at the Far South Coast Branch for many years and served as Vice Branch President. He also assisted as Working Party and Beach Setup Coordinator for the George Bass Marathon in 2016.

Allan is a longstanding and active member of Moruya Rotary, which has made considerable contributions to the Eurobodalla community — including support for Broulee Surfers SLSC.

In 2006 Allan was recognised as the Club’s Patrolman of the Year.

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