Category: Executives

Simon Trippe was inducted as a Life Member at the recent USFA AGM. Below is a response from Simon to the USFA membership.

“The USFA NSW AGM held on Tuesday 12^th August was held with good attendance from all affiliated clubs, not surprising as the USFA membership has swelled to a great number and continues to grow weekly largely due to the enthusiasm shown by your respective committee and members, it is credit to you all that spearfishing in NSW is in a great position going forward because of your enthusiasm to uphold the values of our constitution. “To promote and develop the sport and other associated underwater activities; To actively implement and promote any and all safety measures applicable to our activities.” 

People come to clubs to learn, perhaps find a dive buddy, and to be a part of a community. The clubs are all doing this so well, thank you.

I have for some time wished to depart from my role as President of the USFA. I take the role seriously, it is an honour to have this responsibility. Upon seeing a lot of fresh faces amongst the seasoned at the AGM, I decided it would be a perfect time for others to throw their hat into the ring and come on board, with that I welcome Charles de Villiers as the new USFA President, Charles is the St George Dragons President, who was a leading figure during the Oak Park “Gus the Groper” fiasco and I was impressed by his tenacity, organisational skills, and his willingness to stand up for others in this battle of spearfishing exclusion. Charlie was a big reason we had a successful outcome for spearfishers there. New Vice President Daniel Coelho (Pt Hacking Penguins) is a fantastic person, and his enthusiasm to progress spearfishing is next level. Great club members Alex Bond is our new Secretary (Norah Hammerheads), Sports Secretary Rico Casquete (Dolphins), Treasurer Evan Leeson (Dolphins), and Public Officer Alistair Cooke (Sea Lions) round out the executive, thank you all of you.

I’d like to particularly thank the former USFA Vice President Parry Gryllis who has been my sounding board for the past three years, thank you mate! Ian Buck, former Secretary, thank you too, you never said no to any request I had, cheers Ian; I have received invaluable support from Treasurer Evan Leeson, and former President Bob McComb, thank you both Ev and Bob.

I was drawn into taking minutes for the Sydney Metropolitan Zone meetings around 1982, as a young teenager I was excited to help out, and to be able to talk spearfishing to my older peers. What I didn’t realise was the gift that came to me from being a volunteer, yes the great friendships of course, yet the satisfaction of helping others get a foothold into spearfishing and seeing them develop their skillsets and then they too becoming mentors for others, (in and also out of the spearo community), it is something you can’t put a price on. Today seeing a young diver enjoying spearfishing and reaping the benefits it gives to them is immensely gratifying to me, therefore to be bestowed Life Membership from my peers I am honoured, and thank you all for giving me an unexpected, wonderful surprise that I hold dearly.

There will always be the threat of exclusion to safe access for spearfishers, this is something I have always been vocal on, never let other stake holders not share the resource with us, the seas are for everyone to share and enjoy. I know the USFA will continue to fight for safe access,  promote and develop the sport, and continue to actively implement and promote any and all safety measures applicable to our activities.  What great reasons to be a member!

Yours in safe spearfishing

Simon Trippe

See you down there!