‘Tom and Jerry’ life boat
A significant event occurred unannounced in the grounds of the old St John’s Primary School and St Brigid’s Parish one day last week – an “old friend” came home.
Gerard Yeo spent his primary school years on the lawn near the old and new St Brigid’s churches so it was appropriate that a surf boat named in his honour should dock at the same venue.
Let’s go back a little.
On October 12, 2002, Gerard, son of Pat and Keir Yeo, and his close friend Tom Singer were victims of the Terrorist Bombing at Kuta in Bali.
Gerard and Tom, both members of the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, had travelled to Bali with their premiership-winning rugby league team mates from the Coogee Dolphins.
What was to be an end of season celebration became a disaster as 202 people from Australia and other countries perished in an act of absolute treachery. Gerard, Tom and four of their Dolphins mates died along with three young men from the Forbes Platypii rugby club and 79 other Aussies.
In honour of the two keen surfers, the Coogee Surf Club named a brand new Surf Boat the “Tom and Jerry”. It was the pride and joy of the club.
After many seasons of service, the Coogee Club retired “Tom and Jerry” and donated the boat to the Kempsey-crescent Head Surf Club.
So “Tom and Jerry” continued to serve and to provide a sound training vehicle for lifesavers.
When Andrew Mckay heard that Kempsey-crescent Head were about to upgrade their fleet and “ground” the Tom and Jerry, he made contact.
Andrew remains a member of the Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club, although living in Dubbo a long way from the waves, but the local visionary saw an opportunity and approached the Mid North Coast Club with the idea of bringing the Boat “home” to Dubbo.
“We have a great river, a vibrant paddling and Dragon Boating community and we hold the annual Wellington On Macquarie, Dubbo On Macquarie to Narromine On Macquarie (WOM DOM NOM) charity event every year, and saw this as an extension to that interest in on-water activities,” Andrew explained.
The Club generously donated Tom and Gerry to Dubbo.
“It is the complete unit with five oars! We intend to put the boat on the Macquarie and use it to train people in water rescue techniques. It will supplement work that is being done in lifesaving skills at the Aquatic Centre by Gerard’s cousin, Nic Wilson, and his staff.
“We have also negotiated an agreement with Coogee for the trainees to do still-water work out here and then undertake some additional surf skills training at the famous beach. This will create further links between Coogee and Dubbo and ensure that Gerard and Tom’s legacy remains,” Andrew added.
Kempsey-crescent Head captain Scotty Edwards, a PE Teacher at Kempsey Catholic College, and his father Jim delivered the boat to St Brigid’s last week.
“Scott and Jim wouldn’t take any money for their efforts but we did manage to reimburse the costs of fuel,” Andrew smiled.
“These fine gentlemen stated that their greatest pleasure was the privilege of being welcomed to Dubbo by Gerard’s mum and dad, Keir and Pat.”