$10k donation revitalises Marine Rescue Island Base

South Stradbroke’s Volunteer Marine Rescue Island Base will receive a major facelift following a $10,000 donation by local over 50s community developer Halcyon.The much needed financial boost will help the volunteers at Jacobs Well to plan and upgrade its Island Base facility, enabling them to operate from South Stradbroke during weekends, public and school holidays as well as for any emergencies.The squadron operates in the Moreton Bay region down to the Gold Coast Broadwater 24 hours a day, seven days a week, carrying out duties in search and rescue, providing and attending to the sick and injured and assisting with vessel groundings, flat batteries and break downs.VMR treasurer Geoff Lind said Halcyon’s donation meant the facility would be fully functional for the first time since 2012.“This generous contribution gives us the opportunity to reactivate the Base - it is currently used every now and then, but it isn’t in an optimal condition for either our volunteers or the public,” Mr Lind said.“It needs painting, roof repairs, replacing of the veranda, electrical improvements and a few other tweaks to ensure it gets to a safe and usable standard again.”Mr Lind said the upgrade would significantly benefit the community, allowing a greater presence from VMR.“Being at the Island Base more often means that we can respond much faster to anything that happens in our local waterways,” he said.“We’re contacted by a number of emergency agencies including the Water Police, Fire Brigades and the Ambulance Services so our higher presence there will give ourselves and the community confidence that we’ll have people closer to them in times of need.”Vision by Halcyon home owners Julie-Ann and Derek Crossley are dedicated members at the Jacobs Well base and said the newest Hope Island community and VMR had great synergy.“Vision by Halcyon is a waterfront community and many of its home owners enjoy boating,” Mrs Crossley said.“It’s really important to understand water safety and the dangers that may arise while out on the water, from running out of petrol to a heart attack, we are the first point of contact.“We need to support our local waterways as much as we can because after all, that’s why so many people move to the Gold Coast in the first place.”Halcyon joint managing director Bevan Geissmann said VMR was a crucial community initiative worthy of the company’s support.“We are happy to support an organisation that strives to help and protect the people of Queensland,” he said.“It is especially fitting given many Halcyon home owners are avid boaties and rely on this service being in operation.”For all Halcyon enquiries please call 1800 626 488 or visit lifebeginsathalcyon.com.au.