Life Member - Ernest Burrows

Published: March 15, 2023

Newly announced Life Member Ernest Burrows

• Joined SLSA in November 2001
• Bronze Medallion gained 2/7/2005
• 17 years of service
• 824 patrol hours
• Committee positions
- Surf Sports Officer (3 years)
- Cadet/Youth Officer (2 years)
- Junior Activities Chairman
- Chief Training Officer

The summary of Ernie's story with the club is as follows:

Ernie has been a vital part of the club's surf sports, training and assessing team for a significant period of time now at Coolum beach SLSC. 
He has been the club's Mr Reliable, a go-to member to help ensure the smooth running of the surf club and has devoted countless hours to upskilling members. 
Among his roles have included Cadet/Youth Development Officer in 2005/06 and as an active committee member in 2008-09. 
The father of accomplished surfs sports board racing champion and local lifeguard Rhys Burrows, Ernie has always fostered a pursuit of excellence in carrying out surf patrols and enhancing rescue capabilities through the promotion of surf sports. 
He was the Junior Activity Chairman in 2009/10. 
In 2010-11, Ernie was one of the club's trainers and assessors who devoted his time to helping the examining of 354 award proficiencies and trained up 15 new bronze members, 18 first aiders, 11 surf rescue certificates, and 7 silver medallion beach awards.
In 2012-13, he was the club supervisor, a position he filled in the following two seasons. 
His outstanding efforts to improve the club culture and lifesaving standards saw him awarded the Dave Cush Meritorious Service Trophy at the end of the 2013-14 season. 
In 2015-16 he took on the added role of club surf sports officer in partnership with eventual club Life Member Sharleen Swan. 
This season saw a groundswell of interest in surf sports training under skills coach Ian "Jobbo" Johnson with Ernie reveling in his role of organising such landmark seasonal events as the cut-throat Acer Cameron Board trophy event and the club championships. 
In 2017 Ernie was presented with one of the club's highest honours, the Sting Zillman Award. 
In 2019-20 Ernie was a popular choice at the awards annual dinner as Assessor of the Year. 

He is the current president of the supporter's club who is continuing to provide expertise in securing the surf club's future through good governance. 
One of Ernie's first initiatives as president was to host a successful Life Members Breakfast at the surf club to strengthen the club's present and future operations with its significant contributors of the past. 

Ernie is now helping guide the club's latest multi-million dollar northern expansion to provide the very best in facilities for club patrons and active members.