But how did the surf and board riding enthusiast discover his new haven? It all started with a family holiday and an unexpected job offer.

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“I used to visit the area on surfing trips in the 70s and always loved it,” he explained.

“I used to talk about it to my wife and my daughter, Brooke, until we eventually decided to take a family holiday up the coast.”

Kel and his family took a road trip to Boomerang Beach, and that was where it all changed.

“I ran into a guy who offered me a job up here, and that was that, we moved up to Smiths Lake where I worked as the lodge caretaker.

“I also brought my business, Surf Coast Painting up here too.”

Kel explained from the first family holiday the whole family fell in love with Pacific Palms.

“The sightseeing, boating, the beaches, everything about it was just right. Now we live at Elizabeth beach, right near the surf club which is very convenient.”

It’s convenient because Kel, along with the rest of his family, has grown into the surf club community, after first being introduced when Brooke wanted to join nippers.

“That was the start of our life here really, we soon realised surf lifesaving was something the whole family could be involved in.

“You can start nippers from the age of five and it will span your whole life. It just became the lifestyle for our whole family.”

Fifteen years and a decorated surf lifesaving career later, Kel can still be found down at the club most days.

“There are so many facets of surf lifesaving and club life,” he said.

“There’s the social aspect, the competitive, the community, it’s a great environment for kids to grow up in.

“We have a strong focus on volunteering in our family, and Brooke has taken those lessons with her as she has grown up.”

After receiving life membership, a National Medal for 15 years of service to a volunteer cause and most recently the Myall Lakes Senior of the Year award, Kel sees no end in sight to his involvement with the club and community.

“When you live somewhere for a long time, the culture gets ingrained in you,” he explained.

“It’s not about what you can get out of things, it’s what you can put in and give back.

“There are so many people with the potential to hone these great skills if they are nurtured and taught.”

And while many things have changed over the years, Kel’s love of the warm weather and the beautiful Great Lakes scenery is one thing that has never wavered. 

“We often joke that we will never turn left on the Lakes Way again, because we have no desire to go back down south, this is our place now.”