Former Salt Surf Lifesaving Club president Greg Lovett opens up on ‘toxic white male’ clubbie culture

The ex-president of a NSW lifesaving club said challanges including a “toxic white male” problem with some of its former committee saw him fight for gender balance and inclusivity within the organisation.

The ex-president of a NSW lifesaving club has revealed he stepped down due to tensions with former committee members over his views on a claimed “toxic white male culture” within the club.

Greg Lovett, longtime president of Salt Surf Lifesaving Club at Kingscliff in northern NSW, stepped down in December after an eight-year run.

He will remain with it in a training and assistance capacity.

It comes as Mr Lovett aired shock insider claims with The Daily Telegraph following his departure, claiming the culture at some of the clubs within Australian lifesaving, including Kingscliff, were “far from progressive”.

There is no suggestion the claims have anything to do with the current Salt committee.

“There were several reasons why I ultimately decided to step down. A major one was the older, toxic white male culture within the club,” he said.

“It’s about time Australian Surf Lifesaving ditched that (culture) for the betterment of lifesaving. I’ve always tried to encourage women to come on the committee.”

Salt SLSC president Greg Lovett (left) has stepped down after eight years in the job. Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

Mr Lovett said Salt SLSC would benefit from having a female president: “Someone with different perspectives, views and opinions brought to the floor in lifesaving.”

The longtime clubbie pointed to rising tensions within the club, which reached their apex with three tribunals resulting from confrontations with some former senior committee members.

He also alluded to one incident where an ex-member had a “personal grudge” and the police became involved.

Mr Lovett cited tensions within the club over his views on “toxic white male” culture was one of the reasons he decided to leave. Picture: Facebook / Supplied.

“Let’s just say that some of the senior organisation and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye. Not everyone has the same positive, proactive agenda – which wrecks it for everyone.

“My goal when I started was to always leave the club a better place than where it was. We need to have a strong, educated and inclusive club.

“Overall, it has been a good experience and it’s a shame that some opinions differed over what constitutes a progressive club.

Mr Lovett on patrol. Picture: Supplied / Facebook.

“We live in a society that is progressive – with women, younger people and a mix of cultures included, so why can’t surf lifesaving be the same?”

Mr Lovett said he also received backlash from some members over shifting Nippers from the traditional Sunday morning to a Saturday afternoon.

“We were called idiotic by some members. The reality is, the change boosted our membership by 70 per cent,” he said.

“People are time-poor. People are devoting time to other commitments. We as a society have in recent years faced floods and fires and it has been harder than ever to get families on the beach.

Mr Lovett said the Salt SLSC patrol area was “very dangerous” and regular patrols were “critical for the safety of the community”.

Salt Surf Lifesaving Club. Picture: Supplied.

“We’ve got two very large resorts within walking distance to the beach. What we need is strong patrolling beaches,” he said.

Mr Lovett praised the “community, the club’s sponsors, Tweed Shire Council and like-minded members” for their support over the years.

“I’m definitely not stepping away entirely. I have a cert. four in training and I’ll assist where I can. I’ll still be patrolling and my family is still heavily involved,” he said.

According to a statement from Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), the organisation said it “has, and is, actively promoting inclusivity and diversity within the organisation”.

“On occasions, SLSNSW has had need to assist various clubs, including Salt SLSC, to communicate and advocate this position to volunteer members,” the statement read.

The organisation said it had a “strong gender balance and programs to promote and mentor more women into leadership positions”.

“SLSNSW recognises that good culture is a product of good, contemporary and inclusive leadership.”

The club issued a farewell for Mr Lovett on Facebook.

“Already into his eighth year at the helm, Greg is the club’s longest-serving president and has overseen the transformation of the club to its current influential status,” the post read.

“He has dealt with many challenges along the way and fought many battles, all for the future benefit of our club and its members.”

Mr Lovett said the current committee were “fantastic” and the claims stemmed from interactions with former members, who are no longer associated with the club.

The club’s vice-president Jeff Smith has taken over formal duties for the remainder of the Summer season.