#volunteers are the lifeblood of our club, providing
#community safety, connection and learning for nearly
years. Th
e Purpose of Surf Life Saving Tasmania is to enable all Tasmanians and visitors to enjoy our aquatic environments safely.
The 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 series celebrates our amazing volunteers. This week we are putting the spotlight on
Joseph Robertson, who is soon clocking up 10 years of volunteer beach patrol.
Spotlight on Joseph:
𝐁𝐢𝐨
I originally got involved with Ulverstone SLSC when my kids were younger and started the nippers program. As a parent I wanted to get involved as much as possible as I am not one to sit on the sidelines, so I went on to complete my Surf Bronze and began water safety for training and weekend patrols.
Helping with Nippers over the years has been great fun as there are so many wonderful families involved with the club and it is a privilege to encourage and inspire up and coming surf sports stars.
Nothing beats the feeling of being on a board during a nice swell letting the waves carry me back to shore after a solid training effort. I love being at the beach, for me it feels like home yet connects me to the wider world.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥?
On patrol, I meet some awesome people both from our local community and holidayers.
The patrol teams are always supportive, and patrol BBQ is often Gourmet (chef's kiss emoji).
The best part is when the beach is crowded with swimmers, surfers and beach cricketers safely enjoying our beautiful coastline.
Wha𝐭’𝐬 your favourite event?
The beach run has been the event I have had most success with over the years in masters' carnivals however, learning how to use a surf ski has enabled me start competing in multi-sport events. This year I came second in my category in the Freycinet Challenge which included a 10km Ocean ski, 40km road bike, 17km Mountain bike and 10km beach run.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫?
Being part of the Ulverstone SLSC community is a way I can contribute to making our beaches safer and more accessible to all. I love our Central Coast as it has given me so much and volunteering on patrol allows me to give back in a meaningful way.
𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 - 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝?
I patrol on the roster with Bronze, ARTC and might even do IRB crew this season. Our skill maintenance and training team are always supportive and keep us in check.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐔𝐒𝐋𝐒𝐂?
Having access to train at the club and volunteer alongside other fantastic, like-minded members of the community make me want to keep USLSC in my life.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬?
Keeping the beach and surrounding facilities in supreme condition. We are in a marvelous location and when that is coupled with enthusiastic family-oriented volunteers, our carnivals will always be a success... pending weather.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝?
Local butcher provided patrol BBQ steak sandwiches.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
St Helens. It has great camping, beaches, mountain biking and hiking.
𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬?
I grew up in Queensland so it took me about 10 years before I really went for a proper Swim at the beach in Ulverstone.
