Grand Opening of VMR headquarters
DIGNITARIES gathered, on Saturday, to warmly welcome the opening of the newly refurbished VMR Whitsunday headquarters, in Cannonvale.
The occasion also marked 60 years of the VMR, which was the first VMR to be established in Queensland.
The VMR Whitsunday headquarters, based at the Whitsunday Marine Club, Altmann Avenue, underwent a significant refurbishment, in 2023, thanks to $770,000 procured through Federal funding.
Federal MP Andrew Willcox and Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm attended the Grand Opening, as well as Whitsunday Regional Mayor Ry Collins, Councillor Clay Bauman and Councillor Jan Clifford.
Radio host Dave Perkins was the MC for the lunchtime event, with the speeches followed by sandwiches and refreshments.
There were also viewings of the new-look building, which includes double the space for the emergency radio operators upstairs, as well as planning and meeting rooms, with the latter available for hire to the public.
The downstairs area, which is shared with the Whitsunday Gamefish Club, also had a complete facelift, with new windows and sliding doors.
VMR Whitsunday president Mal Priday kicked off the speeches, thanking everyone for coming on what was a ‘big day’ for the VMR.
“We are celebrating the opening of our training centre upstairs and also celebrating 60 years supporting the boating and island communities in the Whitsundays,” he said.
“We can all be very proud of what we have achieved so far, and the many more years to come, in our upgraded rescue facilities.”
Roger Wodson, who was instrumental in securing the funding to upgrade the headquarters, spoke next, thanking Andrew Willcox MP for ‘campaigning for our cause’.
“Without his help, we wouldn’t be here now,” Mr Wodson said.
VMR Whitsunday’s 60-year history is chronicled in a book, launched on Friday (July 12), with photos of the early days headquarters in a donga – far from the self-sufficient, low energy and insulated, solar-powered building it is today.
Mayor Ry Collins also took the podium, on Saturday, and thanked the VMR for ‘protecting us on the water’.
“Your unwavering commitment and courage are the cornerstone of this community,” Mayor Collins said.
“Your hard work and sacrifice have made the Whitsundays a safer place to explore.”
Amanda Camm MP echoed these thoughts, thanking the VMR volunteers for their ‘professionalism, attention to detail, commitment and tenacity’.
“The VMR is part of frontline emergency support and they do it as volunteers,” she said.
Andrew Willcox MP said ‘the sea can be your best friend and your worst friend, all in one day’.
“It’s really good when you know the VMR are in the background and they are going to come out and save you,” he said.
Three National Medals were awarded at the ceremony, held in a marquee adjoining the newly refurbished building, overlooking the Coral Sea.
VMR National Medals are awarded to ‘members who have served a minimum 15 years in an active role, placing the safety of others above their own’.
National Medals were given to Ray Lewis, Ronnie Roberts and Will Camstead, on Saturday, who joined others awarded during the past six decades.
VMR Whitsunday was the first VMR to be formed in Queensland, after the early organisation merged with the Coast Guard, in 1995, with VMR Whitsunday’s premier boat named VMR1.
In 2023, VMR Whitsunday performed 192 activations, assisting 529 people, with the volunteer boat crew amassing 3,865 hours on the job, day and night, in wind, rain and storms.
In addition, there’s all the radio operators and people that keep operations moving to make things happen.
Next time you see VMR Whitsunday out fundraising, please pop a goldie in the box!
