2022 Hunter Junior Life Savers of the year announced

BY SIOBHAN HARVEY 

Two of the regions most promising volunteers have been awarded the title of 'Newcastle Permanent Hunter Junior Lifesavers of the Year' over the weekend at the Hunter Branch Age Championships. 

The winners were 14-year-old Briella Gyler-Dial from Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club and 13-year-old Taj Horadam from Redhead SLSC.

Monique Ramplin from Merewether SLSC was given a special mention and awarded a High Distinction for her efforts. 

Hunter Surf Life Saving president Henry Scruton said that local surf life saving clubs are about saving lives and building stronger communities and that the 2022 winners are the perfect candidates. 

"These young people are so impressive and are an asset to the surf life saving movement and to the beach safety of our community," Mr Scruton said. 

"The future of surf life saving will be in really good hands, these young ones have come in, had their interviews and have done extremely well." 

Mr Scruton said it is clear that the winners aspire to continue their work in surf life saving and keeping the community safe.

"They want to become IRB operators, drivers and patrol captains, they are really enthusiastic about the surf lifesaving movement which has thrilled us." 

Briella is working to inspire the next generation of lifesavers and advocate the importance of surf life saving. 

"Surf life saving is so important because lifesavers help prevent people drowning at beaches," she said. 

The awards at the championship were presented by Newcastle permanent's Swansea branch manager Brett Freebody. 

Newcastle permanent has had a long standing relationship with Hunter Surf Life Saving for over four decades and has just extended their support for the movement for another three years. 

"We have worked so well together because we are both committed to supporting our community," said Mr Freebody.

Source: Hunter Surf Life Saving 

Tomaree Coastal Walk Upgrade

BY ARIANA GATTI

Port Stephen's iconic Tomaree Coastal Walk is set to receive a large upgrade, expanding the walkway to allow for 23-kilometres of stretch to be open for all the public to enjoy.

The 2018 NSW State Budget has allocated around $7-million, which is aimed at improving the generation of tourism to the area, incorporating more leisure-based activity to get the community involved in outdoor recreations.

Other upgrades involve the input of whale watching and interpretative facilities, as well as other elements for people to appreciate the Indigenous Australian and World-War-Two history of the area.

The upgrade and future developments will be carried out in stages over a four-year period, with completion set for 2022.

The project is running as a part of a $40-million investment allocation plan generated by the State Government, in order to reinforce NSWs' position as a key tourist destination, staying in the minds of national and international visitors.

Some specific features of what will be involved in the revamp have been released:

• Improved access, visitor amenities and walking tracks around the Tomaree Headland, with selected sites showcasing World-War-Two fortifications including gun emplacements, command post and radar site.
• Another looped walking track with a new access point and elevated vistas at Box and Wreck Headlands
• New links connecting Birubi Point to surround walking tracks and trails

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, is adamant the money being spent on the site's upgrades are worth the allocation.

"We certainly think it's worthwhile investing the $7-million as it's one of the most popular parks in the State and we believe this can be improved even more", he says.

"There is a market now for eco-tourism including these walking experiences, and to get that attraction there has to be a decent length of walkway, which should become very appealing to those of domestic and international markets".

Image Sourced: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/tomaree-head-summit-walk