Child safety concern prompts mass resignation at Dicky Beach SLSC
An entire junior committee has handed in its resignation at a well-known Queensland surf club over a ‘child safety concern’, leaving dozens of families without summer programs.
A junior committee at a Sunshine Coast life saving club has resigned en masse over a “child safety concern”, leaving dozens of families without its summer Nippers program.
The Junior Activity Committee at Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club confirmed the mass resignation in a message by former chairwoman Lisa Wild on December 1.
“Child safety is my utmost priority, and it is with a heavy heart that I find my position untenable and will step down as junior activities chairperson effective immediately,” the message to Nippers members read.
“The committee joins me in this decision and, as such, we as a committee have lost confidence in the board in the way that they have managed and responded to a concern brought to their attention.”
Eleven positions on the junior activities committee are now vacant.
Dicky Beach SLSC president Peter Aitken responded in a notice to members seen by this publication.
“Many of you are aware overnight our Junior Activity Committee has stood aside following the lack of confidence in the Dicky Beach SLSC Board in the way it responded to a specific matter,” he wrote.
“This matter was investigated and managed by SLSQ and, as such, remains confidential between SLSQ, the complainant and the respondent.
“The board, the club and its members, under the relevant policies, are not party to this matter or the subsequent outcome.
“In the interests of transparency, the CEO of Surf Lifesaving Queensland has undertaken to conduct a review of the matter, including the outcome.
“I ask for your patience while this matter is reviewed, and will provide clarity as soon as possible on how junior activities will continue to operate into the future.”
Queensland Police and Surf Lifesaving Queensland have been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Child safety concern prompts mass resignation at Dicky Beach SLSC
