Fund Raising

All members of the Patrol are volunteers and purchase their own uniforms and equipment from their own pockets. The cost of this to all members is substantial with out of pocket expenses also being born by the individual members.  Operating costs of approx $100,000 a year has to be raised from the local community with good support from fishing clubs, local businesses, clubs etc. The Ladies Auxiliary have a gift shop below the Radio Base which is open seven days a week and these wonderful ladies are the backbone of our fundraising activity. Raffles are an important part and all members devote much time to this activity. Sponsorship of major capital items is constantly being sought both at National level and at Divisional level. Donations from vessels assisted as well as donations placed in our donation boxes are also a welcome albeit small part of the fund raising process.

With ever increasing regulations and demands from governments together with dramatically increased costs of equipment in order to comply, fund raising is becoming increasingly important. Much of the time by operational crew is spent on this activity at the expense of training and education. New fund raising ideas are being looked at such as bequests and charitable gifting.

Sponsorship for the new Category 2 lifeboat is currently being investigated with some major benefits available to a sponsor. The cost of this new vessel is approx $210,000, a lot of money to raise in a small community.

An extension to the Radio Base is also planned for completion this year, 2003, giving administration and a dedicated training/education facility for the Patrol members as well as the public. This facility will cost in excess of $250,000 but will provide a Search and Rescue Coordination Centre second to none and one that can be used by all combat agencies in an emergency.

It can be seen from this brief outline that fundraising is a critical component of the Division’s operation with the Division totally dependant on this support from the community in order to maintain it’s role in saving life at sea and in educating the public in a professional manner.

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