UECWA Newsletter

23rd July 2025

Upcoming Dives

Swirl Reef & North Point Reef - Sat 26/07

Parker Point & Crystal Palace - Sun 03/08

The Vault & Porpoise Bay Caves - Sat 09/08

Shark Cave & Servant's Quarters Shark Special - Sun 17/08

No Dive Reports

Welcome to the Committee 2025-2026

We’re excited to welcome some fresh faces to the committee for the 2025–2026 season and are confident they’ll bring great energy and ideas to the club. At the same time, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Donna Gratton, Sandra O’Hara, and Laura Thompson for their invaluable contributions over their years on the committee. Your dedication and hard work have helped shape our club into the thriving community it is today—thank you! Big thanks also to Clive Cass for acting as our returning officer once again.

We’re pleased to present your new committee for 2025–2026:

President - Jen Pryor

Vice President - Jonathan Anderson

Secretary - Michele Hardesty-Munday

Treasurer - John De Boer

Boat & Marina Liaison Officer - Chris McCoppin

Public Relations Officer - Mel Daws

Dive Coordinator - Sebastian Laffont

Membership Officer - Jen Pryor

Environment, Training and Safety Coordinator - Taryn Schuster

Social & Fundraising Coordinator - Liz Davey

70th Birthday Celebration

Club members are an intrepid lot thankfully, and so approx. 40 of them braved the wet weather to attend the AGM and 70th Birthday celebration at the Swan Yacht Club last Friday night. Everyone decided to eat prior to the meeting. The food was pretty good, and seats for dining were at a premium, but no one went without.

The AGM proceeded without incident and president Jen gave a brief overview of the club’s achievements over the past year.

Steve Day was awarded Life Membership for his commitment to the club over the years. Congratulations Steve, what a well-deserved award…

President Jen then thanked the retiring committee for their hard work and handed the meeting over to Clive Cass, who acted as returning officer, for the selection and voting for the committee of 2025/2026.

Following the new committee accepting their positions, the AGM was closed, and members were invited to refresh their glasses prior to returning for the 70th Birthday Celebration.

Martin Smith and Liz Davey presented a video depicting the club’s history since its founding in 1954.  The video was a compilation of photos from across the years, videos of club achievements such as the 200ft dive, the discovery (with MMWA) of the wreck of the Batavia in the Abrolhos, the Avon Descent in water rescue, and interviews with 22 club members.

With the use of a roving mic, members were able to comment on their own recollections, in addition to the memories the history video provoked. This was followed by the cutting of the cake and the sharing of glasses of bubbles. Everyone agreed that it had been a wonderful walk down the lane of club history and many compliments were received.

Liz Davey, thanked everyone who had loaned photos, videos, and memorabilia, and those who had agreed to participate in the interviews.

She also thanked the following people. Malcolm Roberts, official photographer, Ilonka Jarvis for her photos, Jasmine Manser for compiling the massive scroll of the club’s timeline, Kelly Moon and Alex Horn for their assistance with the compilation of the video, and finally to Martin Smith, without whose support, encouragement and commitment, the presentation would not have been possible.

Liz Davey

'

Congratulations Steve Day

We’d like to congratulate Steve Day on receiving Life Membership of UECWA.

This award is a thank you for his many years of dedicated service as both a committee member and crew member. Steve’s contribution has been a huge part of the club’s success, and we’re grateful for everything he’s done, and continues to do for us.

Please join us in celebrating this well-earned recognition, thanks Steve!

Derawan Trip 2025 - Spots Available

Due to a last-minute cancellation, there are now three spots available on this trip next month.

Please email Jen at president@uecwa.com.au for further information if you are interested in this fabulous opportunity.

Winter Social 2025

The winter social is back on Friday 8th August at the Balmoral Hotel in the Babylon Room from 6:00pm. Please RSVP on Member Jungle for a fun night filled with good food, drinks, and great company!

A fantastic way to catch up with your dive buddies during the cold winter months!

Containers for Change

Did you know the Underwater Explorers Club is registered with Containers for Change? Simply swap your payment method to 'donate' when recycling your cans and bottles, and search for Underwater Explorers Club of Western Australia Inc. or use our member number C10320909. 

Important Information for Dive Bookings

Please do not book dives for other divers. If we receive double bookings from one diver, the second booking will be automatically cancelled.

If you would like to receive notifications about dive cancellations during peak periods, please email divebookings@uecwa.com.au with your name and phone number to be added to the WhatsApp group.

Guests on the Boat
A reminder: For all boat trips (including Christmas lights), UEC members must be on the boat with any guests booked under their membership.

Cancelling a Dive Ahead of Time

Important to note that you cannot cancel dives using the dive calendar. Cancellation needs to be made by email directly to divebookings@uecwa.com.au

Please note our cancellation policy below as per the club bylaws:

Cancellations between 07:45 and 16:00 the day before: 50% cancellation fee.

Cancellations after 16:00 the day before: 100% cancellation fee.

No-shows: Full event fee.

Appeals for waivers due to medical reasons or family emergencies can be submitted in writing to the committee.

If you have any questions, please check out our FAQ's, Contact Us or chat with your Committee members when you see us on the boat!

Newsletter Editor

Mel Daws - Public Relations