WOOLAMAI Beach Surf Life Saving Club was recently honoured to receive a visit from Lieutenant Commander Danielle Couch – a commanding officer of the HMAS Cape Woolamai.
The HMAS Cape Woolamai was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy last year.
LCDR Couch presented the club with a small plaque to commemorate the occasion.
The plaque features the ship’s insignia and a picture of the iconic Pinnacles at Cape Woolamai.
HMAS Cape Woolamai is based in Darwin and primarily carries out border protection activities and operations.
During the visit, the development of an ongoing relationship between the two organisations was discussed.
“The Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club is thrilled to have made a connection with the HMAS Cape Woolamai, which is one of several Cape-class patrol boats in the Royal Australian Navy,” club president Jason Close said.
“The ship was first accepted into service in 2023, but on December 12, 2024, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy and is based in Darwin.
“Although we work at opposite ends of the country, our club is very keen to continue to develop its relationship with the HMAS Cape Woolamai.
Our club has a proud history of serving the Phillip Island community at one of Victoria’s wildest and most dangerous beaches.
“The ship’s motto is ‘Intrepid’, which is a very apt motto. It is a word that describes all that inhabit and thrive in the rugged environment of Woolamai, this includes shearwaters and other wildlife that inhabit the Cape and many of our club’s lifesavers who patrol its beaches.
“It is an honour that the ship’s crew have recognised our incredible part of the world by wearing an image of Cape Woolamai and its iconic Pinnacles rock formation on their naval uniforms.”
The club conducted a tour of the clubhouse and presented LCDR Couch with club merchandise – including club beanies knitted by Barb Webb, Graeme Clauscen’s club history book Wild about Wooli, club caps and clothing.
LCDR Couch was joined on her visit by her husband LCDR Ben Couch, who is a commanding officer of the HMAS Cape Pillar.
Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club was represented on the day by Mr Close, vice president Fi Blackmore, life governors John Thomson, Ron Nicholson and Alan McLean, and club historian Graeme Clauscen.
Mr McLean is heading to Darwin this week. He is hoping to visit the HMAS Cape Woolamai and present LCDR Couch with a small commemorative plaque, which will also display the names of both organisations.
According to Mr Close, the club will be keeping in touch with LCDR Couch and looks forward to updates on the activities and experiences of the ship and its crew as it protects the northern borders.
