Currumbin’s Surf World surf museum ushers in ‘new era’ with appointment of 2019 committee

CURRUMBIN’S Surf World surf museum has ushered in a “new era with a diverse and exciting new committee”, as Andrew McKinnon writes in this week’s Surf Scene column.

A NEW committee was elected unopposed for the Surf World surf museum at the 2019 AGM on January 9 at Currumbin.

Former chairman Mal Sutherland and former secretary Karen Hutchinson, who established the Gold Coast surf museum 10 years ago, resigned in November 2018 to make way for the new committee.

“This will be a new era with a diverse and exciting new committee”, new chairman Rob Ryan said.

“With a strong mix of both qualifications and surfing experience, that can only mean great things to come for Surf World.”

The new Surf World surf museum committee of Brad Finselbach, Susan Antonacci Sorg, Karen Neilsen, Natalie Wain, Gena Dean, Lynn Wade, Angela Collins, Joan Farmer, vice-president Carl Tanner, president Rob Ryan, patron Peter Harris and vice-president Andrew McKinnon.

Ryan said he felt humbled and honoured to be a part of a new team and was looking forward to achieving some exciting new projects and exhibitions.

The first social function of the New Year will be a Women in the Waves night on Thursday, March 21.

“Please keep your memberships up to date for newsletter notifications or if you need to join just check out the website at surfworldgoldcoast.com,” Ryan said.

Ryan thanked the volunteers for giving their time generously “to keep the stoke alive” and credited the previous committee as “without them, there wouldn’t be a museum”.

Surf World patron Peter Harris, the 1980 Burleigh Stubbies Classic winner, was also proud and honoured to be involved with the incredible group of motivated and talented people on the new committee.

Brad Gerlach, Tom Carroll, Surf World surf museum patron Peter Harris and Mark Occhilupo in the Legends final of the 2019 Burleigh Boardriders Single Fin. Picture: Angela Collins

Harris recognised and commended Sutherland, founding members and the prior committee for the strong foundation developed and all the hard work done by the dedicated volunteers.

“Our elected chairman, Rob Ryan, announced two new dual vice-presidents, Carl Tanner and Andrew McKinnon,” said Harris, who also paid special tribute to predecessor and Australian surfing pioneer Joe Larkin.

“Surfing is such a core part of our culture, not only here on the Gold Coast but throughout Australia, and we at Surf World are fully committed to expanding our archives to document our local surfing history inclusively, with detail. “Together with some exciting new ideas, events, interactive technology and a whole lot of stoke, we hope to further develop the Surf World surf museum and continue to make it a must-see attraction for all generations of surfing, non-surfing, sports and Australian beach culture fans alike.”