Best in the state

DESPITE working out of shipping containers at its Lighthouse Beach headquarters last season, the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club was last weekend named the NSW Surf Club of the Year at the annual Awards of Excellence held in Sydney.

President of the club, Kris Beavis, said to win over some of the "iconic clubs" like Bondi and Maroubra - and 129 clubs in NSW - was a great effort.

"It's testimony to what everyone in the club, from parents to patrolling members, has achieved in the year," he said.

He said the degree of difficulty for their job certainly was increased as the club didn't have a clubhouse to work from, with all the lifesaving gear stored in shipping containers.

But the 130 patrolling members completed more than 4000 volunteer hours last season, with 94 rescues, 38 incidents of first aid and 1331 preventative actions.

Earlier this year, Ballina was awarded the FNC Branch Club of the Year.

Meanwhile, last week, Ballina Shire Council awarded the tender to build a new clubhouse at Lighthouse Beach to Bennett Constructions.

Mr Beavis said he was pleased work could now start on the building, with a local company employing local contractors.

In their tender, Bennett Constructions outlined a construction schedule of 38 weeks.

The Ballina surf club will base themselves at Shelly Beach for the coming season, which starts on September 22.

Lennox Head-Alstonville Surf Life Saving Club member Harrison Murphy was named Junior Lifesaver of the Year at last weekend's awards ceremony.