ALAN GEORGE GRIFFITHS...OLDEST SURFIE IN ...UMMM
SHIT, THE OLDEST SURFIE IN THE WORLD!
P.S. I can only say that because I am younger and faster than Griffo..ed



Alan Griffiths was a member of Boomerang/Gabba for many years, and for a much longer time he has been and still is a member of Tugun Surf Club. Alan recently was awarded Life Membership of Surf Lifesaving Queensland, (A copy of the Paragraph from the minutes of the Surf Lifesaving Queensland AGM about the award has been included in this Story) also included are some details of Alan’s time at Boomerang/Gabba & also a list of Griffo’s achievements that was presented by the Chairman when Alan was presented with his Life Membership badge. Along with a couple of photos from Alan’s Squash club days. Also a photo from his Tugun days, plus a part of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Surf Lifesaving of Queensland.

GRIFFO'S DAYS AT THE SQUASH CLUBS



Alan Griffiths joined Boomerang Squash in the late Sixties and moved to the Gabba in 1974, when the club moved from Boomerang, Griffo remained at the Gabba till 1978, at that time he was transferred in his job with Telecom to the Gold Coast. In his time at Bommerang/Gabba Alan was part of 7 winning Pennant Teams his last success was in 1978 he was part of a C3 winning team. A couple of Alan’s close mates were Jeff Seipel and Bill Crisp, and one of the attached Photos is of a winning team Alan and Jeff were in and Bill was the unofficial coach. The other photo is Alan having a couple of Stubbies at the Squash Clubs 21st Birthday party at the Gabba with Terry Watt.





ALAN's DAYS AT TUGUN



Alan was presented with the following information on a Certificate along with his Life Members Badge.

Alan George Griffiths. (Tugun SLSC / Point Danger Branch)

Joined SLSA 1953 - Received SLSA 50 Year Award.

Bronze 44754 12/12/53 Examiner Q693 03/01/81

IRB Drivers - Silver Medal 21/04/85

Alan joined and has remained an active member of just one Surf Club, Tugun SLSC for 56 consecutive years and received Tugun SLSC Life Membership in 1980. He has performed 40 years of service on the beach as an active, reserve active and long service member doing patrols and other associated surf life saving activities ( e.g. training new members, carnival and examiner duties etc).

At different times, Alan has held the top three managerial positions at Tugun SLSC – President, Secretary, and Treasurer. As President, Alan guided the design and construction aspects of major remodeling of the Tugun clubhouse. Once formally opened in 1983, this was the most significant step towards the Club becoming the first licensed surf club in Queensland. Alan’s foresight and drive demonstrated first class qualities in leadership and he has always has had a high regard and respect for all levels of management and worked to ensure a progression in surf lifesaving at Club, Branch, State and National levels. To this end, Alan is a tireless fund raiser and was a founding member of the Tugun Old Boys in 1965. His first Club sponsorship with Directories Australia resulted in national sponsorship through SLSA.

Alan holds his instructor’s certificate, examiner’s certificate, IRB driver’s award and the Advance Resuscitation certificate. He competed in surf race events _ R&R and surf boat events – and has been instrumental in making Tugun SLSC one of the great competition clubs, particularly in the surf boat section.

Alan has been a regular announcer at Branch Surf Carnivals, State and Aussie Titles for the past 29 years and has become known as the doyen of boat race callers. Alan was selected to attend and represent Queensland at the National Announcer’s Conference in 1987 and was a member of the first group of Queenslanders to gain National Announcers Accreditation.

Alan has provided service to SLSQ as an accredited official at 27 of the past 30 Queensland State Championships; primarily as carnival announcer and specifically as a surf boat race caller. Alan’s enthusiasm and commitment to the sport has been accredited as being one of the reasons for Queensland becoming the top Surf Boat state in Australia.

We congratulate and thank Alan for his distinguished and unbroken service to Surf Life Saving in Queensland.

MINUTES



79TH Annual General Meeting. Of Surf Life Saving Queensland.

Held at Surf Rescue House 18 Manning Street South Brisbane on Friday 11th September 2009.

Surf Life Membership Awards.

The Chairman announced that SLSQ Life Membership, approved by State Council postal ballot, had been awarded to the following Four (4) very worthy recipients.

Michael Charles Buttrum Broadbeach SLSC
Alan George Griffiths Tugun SLSC
David Frederick Irvine Northcliffe SLSC
Helen M Irvine Northcliffe SLSC


The Chairman extended his congratulations on behalf of State Council, Board and SLSQ Members and presented each with an SLSQ Life Member badge and framed certificate.

Joe Williams





Below is a note from Griffo re his award, and some of the Squash members that were in Tugun, and also some of the West End locals that were involved with both the Squash Club or Tugun.

Hey Joe

Thanks for the calls about the SLSQ Life Membership. It was a complete surprise, I was invited to the presentation on the premise of supporting someone else who had won an award and even when I was called up, I thought it was to speak on his behalf. I have derived great satisfaction and a lot of fun out of Surf lifesaving, I don’t have words for the magnificent feeling at the presentation, Maxine sent you the Citation, and it actually sounds a bit too good.

I joined Tugun in 1953, Boomerang Squash Club was already represented by Cec Walton who was Club Secretary, and Doug White, believe me few could match Doug in our club swims. Podge Land came along a little later; I had to check this because I’m sure he’s significantly older than me. How could I have joined before him?, I was from Annerley but there was a real West End connection at Tugun including the Murdoch’s, Larry had a few social hits at Boomerang and brother Jim went on to captain South’s A Grade rugby league team for a few years in the late sixties. Brian Duxbury also played top grade with South’s, Boomerang’s Des Crabbe was a South’s stalwart.

I held a lot of positions at Tugun and earlier on had a few brushes with officialdom; however things became smoother when I joined them. The club named a new surf boat after me and my fondest memory up until now was calling the final of the 2002 Open Surfboat Championship of Australia which was won by Tugun in the Alan Griffith boat.

I have been fortunate in my club memberships but in my view for sheer goodwill and happiness Boomerang/Gabba would take some beating. At the risk of getting RSI I would like to list my premiership successes but this is probably enough for now. See you on the 7th of October.

Griffo