After enduring a challenging few months following the fires that ravished their coastal town, residents and the business community of the Tathra are looking towards a busy summer and are keen on getting the message out there; Tathra will be open for business.
Reinforcing their long-term commitment as well as standing alongside the community to encourage visitors to make holiday plans, it was confirmed this week that Lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service will again be extending their patrol through to the end of February.
In a gesture that underscores the ALS’s commitment to the region it was also announced that they will absorb the cost of funding the additional patrol this summer.
“We’re looking forward to returning to Tathra Beach and delivering a high quality of service that the people of the Sapphire coast deserve,” said ALS NSW Manager Brent Manieri.
“Our lifeguards live and work in the local area with many having been long term employees of the ALS, and we are keen to support the community during what promises to be a busy season,” he said.
The extended patrols are a continuation of an initiative that was first established in 2015 when local business organisations including Bega Valley Motors, Big 4 Tathra Beach, Tathra Beachside, Tathra Beach House Apartments, and the Tathra Chamber of Commerce banded together to fund an extra month of patrol service.
Tathra Beach has been long been a drawcard for tourists especially for holidaying families and retirees who flock to the area outside of the peak season to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty, and business leaders many with young families of their own were concerned that there wasn’t a patrolled location during the week for visitors to enjoy.
So successful was the initiative that additional organisations including the Tathra Bowling Club, Tathra Hotel, Tathra Beach House, Tathra Country Club, Tathra Lions Club, and the Bega Chamber of Commerce all contributed funds last season.
The decision to extend patrols through to the end of the 2019 summer means Tathra Beach will now be the only beach from Mollymook through to the Victorian border that will be patrolled seven-days-a-week throughout February as local surf lifesaving volunteers also fulfil their weekend commitments.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of both the professional lifeguards and lifesavers who do absolutely outstanding work on the beach protecting the community,” said Rob White from Tathra Beach House Apartments who spearheaded the inaugural campaign.
“It’s been a tough year but we are urging visitors to come to our beach and enjoy everything that region has to offer,” he said.
Surf Life Saving NSW Steven Pearce who is attending the 2018 Coastal Conference in Merimbula this week, and is touring the Far South Coast Surf Clubs ahead of Christmas said it’s important to be able to offer support to the Tathra community.
“Everyone was touched by the bushfires earlier this season and as an organisation we wanted to throw our support behind the town as they rebuild towards summer.
“Tathra is open for business and lifesavers and lifeguards will be out to support that message any way we can,” he said.
Wednesday 7 November 2018