Bush to Beach 2020
Bush to Beach 2020 was a great success, (thanks to many) I think the best yet, in saying that they have all been great, since 2006.
I want to start by paying a complement to all the kids and carers from Brewarrina, Goodooga and Bourke, they are great Ambassadors for their respective communities. I received many compliments about their good behaviour and manners.
2020 Bush to Beach planning started around October with many meetings, fundraising started earlier. Accommodation booking made at the Collaroy Centre (which was a great venue). Paper work started to flow in December but like previous years became an arduous job for many, mainly due to communication in the bush. Most families do not have access to computers, scanners etc which we in the city take for granted. A lot of work for Thecla, Danielle, Ky, James and myself. I want to acknowledge Thecla for her many weeks of work with the paper work. Thankyou.
The mobs from Bourke, Goodooga and Brewarrina met at the Youth Centre for a briefing and barbecue before boarding a bus for a 13-hr bus trip, 40 plus kids and 8 carers left a dusty drought ravaged area and arrived at the Northern Beaches of Sydney to heavy rain, (Chanel 10 reporter called them the Sydney Drought Busters as they had come from drought/a dust storm to heavy rain) the rain didn’t stop their fun. The kids love of life, great attitudes and spirit has to be commended knowing that they live in an area which is in drought, lack of drinking water, nowhere to swim and the heat which averages high 40’s even at night.
Friday 9am, Manly Surf School was waiting at Collaroy Beach for the kids to arrive, after safety instructions the kids were in the surf even though it was raining, many of the kids, (some hadn’t seen the ocean before) were standing on surfboards/riding waves after about half an hour practice, truly amazing. The confidence they gain is so important. Thanks, Manly Surf School.
Then Swimming Proficiency tests for all the kids, at Collaroy Pool. Thanks Life Savers, back on the bus and off to South Narrabeen Surf Club for welcome, briefings and the hospitality of Manly Country Women’s Association, the Ladies provided and served morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, their famous scones, jam, cream. Towels and gifts for all kids, beautiful ladies, big hearts, Thankyou Ladies, kids back into the surf. They truly love the surf.
Manly Players, arrived, Joel Thompson and Daly Cherry-Evans, great blokes, they spent about 1.5 hrs with the kids, passing the ball, kicking footballs, gifts for all kids. Thanks guys and Manly Leagues Club. Then Taekwondo lessons for the kids. Thanks, Suhhee, it was a great success. Back into the surf. Naresh and mates prepared a great dinner for the kids and carers. Thanks, Naresh and team. Bus to the Collaroy Centre for a good night’s sleep.
Saturday, Breakfast, then Bus to South Narrabeen Surf Club, back into the surf. Chicken and salad lunch, lots of fresh fruit (every day) back into the surf. Thanks Cal, Kim, Angus and his mates from Narrabeen Lakes Public School. Our visitors had the opportunity to do a CPR Certificate course which was great. Bus to Collaroy Centre, get changed, back to South Narra.
The Baked Dinner Saturday night, at South Narrabeen Surf Club was nothing short of amazing, great food, Elvis Show, Super Hubert (Magician), Federal MP Jason Falinski, Nth Beaches Mayor Michael Regan, Nth Beaches Deputy Mayor Sue Heins, Celebrity Actor John Howard, Sponsors, Bush to Beach kids/ carers and great people were in attendance, Thanks Collaroy Beach Club for the meat and your support. Peter, Ken, thank you for the cook up, (since 2006). Bus back to the Collaroy Centre.
Sunday, Breakfast, Bus to South Narrabeen Surf Club. Most kids participated in Nippers events, great athletes, back in the surf. Nippers lunch/ interaction/ fun. Thanks Claudia, Greg, all. The kids enjoyed sitting on the Jet Ski’s / Rubber Ducky’s/ Surf Life Saving instruction, back into the surf.
Pizza Hut dinner, Hershey’s desert, ice-creams, (thanks Pizza Hut and UniLeaver) great meal. Bus to Collaroy Centre, wash up and get ready for the disco. DJ Andy recons the disco, “best yet”, all kids and carers were up dancing, fantastic, Hanna was great with getting the kids dancing, then supper/ bed. Thanks Northern Beaches Council for funding the Disco.
Monday Breakfast, Bus leaves Collaroy Centre, lunch McDonalds West Dubbo, thankyou McDonalds, then home to Brewarrina, Goodooga and Bourke. The rest of the day was spent packing/cleaning at the club.
All Kids received great gifts, towels, Quicksilver Rashies, Swimming Australia Kickboards, Swimming Caps, beads/jewellery, sunglasses, water bottles and more. An amazing group of volunteers providing over 1500 hrs to make Bush to Beach a reality. Thankyou to all involved.
A huge thankyou to all the Life Savers from South Narrabeen and up and down the peninsular (I believe 68 in total) for the safety provided on the beach, many thanks Sarah for organising, thankyou.
Another huge thankyou to South Narrabeen Surf Club, to Martin, Greg, Richard, and the SN committee and Nipper parents, thankyou. Many thanks to the Westpac Foundation, Transport NSW, Swim Australia/Narelle and Quicksilver.
Many thanks to Chris, Matt, Peter, Ken, Brett, Kim, Cal, Pam, Hanna, Greg, Narelle, Tony and son John, several of these people spent most of the weekend supporting Bush to Beach. And to anyone I have forgotten to name thank you for your support.
Great media, Pittwater on line news, Manly Daily, Sea Eagles Website, Sydney Morning Herald NSW/ National affiliated newspapers, Pittwater News, Brewarrina News. Also, SBS, NITV, ABC, 9 and 10. To our volunteer photographers. Graham Monro Photographic and Gavin Little Photography. Thankyou you captured the spirit of Bush to Beach.
The trip and above is a reward for school attendance and for the kids behaving themselves in their communities. I have received many positive comments and many many thanks from our visitors. It was great to see South Narrabeen Life Members Steve Maxwell, Peter Clarke and Ted Billet at South Narrabeen during Bush to Beach 2020, along with many other members.
Jack Cannons AM Founder Bush to Beach