THE Shoalhaven Heads Surf Lifesaving Club has had a facelift ahead of its 50th anniversary later this month.
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The club is looking ship shape with a new paint job inside and out thanks to the South Coast Correctional Centre’s community projects team.
Under the guidance of overseer Rob Duff, a number of inmates from the jail go out into the community undertaking projects.
Heads Surf Club president Karl Poulton was delighted with the finished result, saying the club looked fantastic ahead of its planned big 50th anniversary celebrations on the weekend of November 25-26-27.
“The club looks fantastic. It’s been given a great new fresh look and will be perfect for our golden anniversary,” he said.
“Through Dulux, who is a supporter of surf lifesaving across the state and country, we were able to gain access to the paint but we struggled with the manpower to undertake the work.
“Enter Rob and his team. They were a godsend. They got in and got the job done way quicker than we could have managed and it looks great.”
He also praised Shoalhaven City Council which assisted in the upgrade.
The outside paintwork has since also been decorated by Nicole Ison, who has painted a number of birds which will assist with shorebird identifications.
Mr Duff said it was a big job, but his team of workers were keen to get “stuck in” and complete the project.
“Why wouldn’t you be keen working in a location like this?” he said as he looked over the beautiful Seven Mile Beach.
“We have a lot of projects on the go at the moment. It is great for the inmates to be able to give something back to the local community.”
Mr Duff said the team undertakes work for local sporting, community and church groups as well at local schools during holidays.
“We cover an area from Wollongong to Ulladulla, so there are plenty of projects for us to take on,” he said.
“The inmates get a lot out of it as well. It is very rewarding for them. They get to see the fruits of their hard work and it also helps a local group or organisation.
“It is a real win win.”
Run as part of the Corrective Services Industries group, the community project team is always on the lookout for other projects.
If you have a job you think is suitable for the team contact the South Coast Correctional Centre on 4424 6000.