TAREE Old Bar Surf Club's first annual meeting since the start of the 2011/12 surfing season will be held on Sunday, April 26.
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This will mark the end of the club's 18 months in administration.
Surf Life Saving NSW took this action against the club following a special meeting held on Saturday September 14, 2013.
"Taree Old Bar SLSC will not hold an annual meeting for the 2012/13 surf season nor will any positions be fill due to the club being placed into administration,'' Surf Life Saving NSW said in a report to members issued at the time.
SLSNSW general manager Matt Hanks later told the Times that 'personality clashes' within the club was the reason for the action.
Jan Clingeleffer from the Wauchope Bonny Hills club was appointed administrator and will remain in this position until the April 26 annual meeting.
She explained that a new constitution will be adopted at the annual meeting, meaning that eight executive positions will be filled. These will include a director of administration, director of finance, director of lifesaving, director of surf sports and director of junior activities. This will be in line with the administration of other surf clubs in the State.
Mrs Clingeleffer described the last 18 months as 'busy,' dealing with what she described 'strong personalities' within in the club. However, she believes new blood will come into the club's executive at the annual meeting and has already spoken to one former member who is prepared to nominate for one of the key positions
She remains confident the club will press on from here although concedes there are still 'some issues' between club members.
"People don't change their personalities,'' she said.
However, Mrs Clingeleffer said there's a genuine will within the membership for the club to move forward.
While also having to deal with the day-to-day running of the surf club, Mrs Clingeleffer had to contend with the club's lack of beach access earlier this year after a ramp was rendered unusable by erosion caused by high tides. This made it difficult for club members to get patrol equipment onto the beach and meant the club's IRB was inoperable. The problem made the front page of the Times on October 17 and was later followed up by other media.
Temporary work was eventually carried out on the ramp following intervention from member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead and lengthy negotiations between Mrs Clingeleffer and the city council.
Mrs Clingeleffer said membership has remained steady in the past two seasons.
"We have around 110 to 115 members,'' she said. "This will hopefully grow to the 200 mark once a new committee is elected.''
This ranges from nippers through to seniors. Mrs Clingeleffer added there was a rise in numbers in the nipper ranks this season a healthy sign for the future.
"We currently have Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) and bronze squads in training and they should be qualified within a week,'' she added.
However, the club required assistance from fellow Lower North Coast Branch clubs and from those outside the area to fulfil patrol obligations in the last two seasons.
Until more members are fully qualified Mrs Clingeleffer said this will remain a strain on the club's resources.
April 26 will be the last day of the patrol season for surf clubs in NSW.
"The annual meeting will start at 1.30pm to ensure all patrol members can attend,'' Mrs Clingeleffer explained.