Bulli's newest Life Member Paul Jones

At the recent Annual General Meeting Paul Jones was granted Life Membership of our club.

He was a very proud man standing there receiving his Life Members badge from Club President Keith Caldwell. His dad Russell (Life Member) was present at the meeting and indeed it was a very proud day for the Jones family. Paul gave a very humble speech on what it meant to him in being a member of the surf club.

Paul joined Bulli SLSC as a nipper in the 1979/80 Season and stepped up into the senior section of the club as a cadet in 1983/84 gaining his Life Saving Certificate and the following year obtaining his Bronze Medallion.

Paul has been a member of Bulli for 35 years and has held Executive, Management & Office holder positions within the club; Deputy President (1yr), Boat Captain (4 yrs), Vice Boat Captain (2 yrs) Assistant Secretary/ Competition Secretary (6 yrs), Committee Member (4 yrs), Judicial Committee (4 yrs), Room Steward (2 yrs), Touring Manager (4yrs), Gym Supervisor (1yr), Social Committee (2yrs)

During this time Paul carried out his patrolling duties as required, was always available for Life Savers Appeal Day, major fundraising events including Bulli Workers Club raffle & recently the Bulli Forager Markets plus any carnivals or special events organised by the club. He has previously received the SLSA 25 Years Long Service award.

Competition has always been one of Paul’s strengths, following in his father’s footsteps, some highlights include;

89/90 Illawarra Branch Championships U21 Boat 1^st

91/92 Australian Championships Reserve Boat 1^st

92 to 97 Illawarra Branch Open Boat Champs (6 yrs)

98/99 Australian representatives George Bass Marathon International Series

99/00 NSW Championships Reserve Boat 1^st

03/04 Australian representatives George Bass Marathon International Series

06/07 Australian Championships Reserve Boat 1^st

07/08 NSW Championships Life Saver Relay 1^st

08/09 Australian Championships Life Saver Relay 3^rd

11/12 NSW Championships Open Boat 1^st  

11/12 World Championships Open Boat 2^nd

12/13 Australian Surf Rowers League Open Boat 1^st

13/14 NSW Championships Open Boat 1^st

13/14 Australian Surf Rowers League Open Boat 1^st

13/14 George Bass Marathon Open Boat champs 1^st

As mentioned his strength was his surf sports within the boating section (even though as a junior he placed a few times in club championship events), his competitive streak as a rower & sweep is unmatched, his coaching skills as a sweep & organisational skills leading the boat section when Boat Captain was outstanding.

But what it does not show is the hours and hours of training that Paul puts into the training of his crews over the years as well as towing surf boats around the country.

Congratulations Paul Jones, a worthy Life Member of BULLI SLSC!