Gary Samuel Cook – Newport SLSC
Gary has been a member of Newport Surf Club since 1960 and a Life Member of the Club since 1979. Gary also holds Sydney Northern Beaches Life Membership and Surf Life Saving New South Wales Life Membership. Gary is a recipient of the Surf Life Saving Australia President’s Medal which also recognises his service to Surf Life Saving Australia at Club, Branch, State and National levels.
Gary served as President of the Newport Club for three years from 1980 to 1983 having previously held positions as Deputy President for seven years, and also served as Club Captain, Competition Manager, Publicity Officer, House Captain and Assistant Secretary. Gary currently sits on several of Newport Surf Lifesaving Club committees including the Judiciary Committee, Life Membership & Service Honours Committee, Ocean Swim Committee, and the Surf Sports Committee.
At Branch level Gary continues to serve on the Life Membership & Service Honours Committee, Meritorious Awards Committee and Judiciary Committee As a long-serving scrutineer, Gary ensures that the Branch members compete on a craft that is to SLS specification and most importantly, safe.
At State level Gary has served on the Beach Advisory Panel, was Chairman of NSW March Past Panel 1996-2007 and has been Area or Sectional Referee at State Championships from 2004 to 2020 on 37 occasions with 20 as March Past Referee.
At the National level, he took on the position of National March Past Panel Chairman in 2006. Before this, he was Deputy Chairman for three years. He co-wrote the March Past Coaches & Judges Manuals starting from the early 2000s, then Pocket size updated editions in 2009, 2016 & 2019. He drove the funding from SLSA for the printing of same and cost of Professional Photographers for shots in these Manuals.
Gary participated on the Planning Committee for the Celebration of Anzac Day and 100 years of Surf Boats and March Past at the 2020 Australian Championships as March Past Consultant. Unfortunately, this event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is currently assisting Graham Bruce SLSA Life Member by researching SLSNSW State Championships and SLSA Australian Championship Programs and Surf Sports Official’s Appointment listings to help with the presentation of Long Service Recognition Awards to Club members.
Gary’s contributions to Surf Life Saving spans the full scope of the movement from hands-on patrol, administration, competition, officiating, coaching and instruction for new Bronze members. In addition to these activates Gary spends a considerable amount of his time ensuring the members of the Club are recognised for their efforts including preparation of SLSA Award Applications for Club members, research on Club members for Club Honours Awards and preparation of Nominations for SLSSNB, SLSNSW & SLSA Honours.
Gary also assists other Clubs within and outside of the our Branch mentoring and coaching their March Past teams. Outside the Branch, Gary helps the Lake Jindabyne “Yabbies” Nipper group with Boards and equipment sourced from Sydney Northern Beaches Clubs.
Gary was awarded SNB Life Membership in 2006.