The response from the public was great, considering the weather.

We must recognise the work James Brideson and the council boys put in on the day with the help of the Lennox Longboard and All Girls Club.

The co-operation we received from Mayor Phillip Silver and General Manager Paul Hickey was great.

Phillip’s speech of how that area was the last place he surfed before a car accident put him in a wheelchair, touched everybody there.

To Aunty Bertha and the Aboriginal dancers, you really made the day special, in a week that saw the Labor government say sorry to the Stolen Generation. It was also good to see the Mayor confirm our committment to that apology as well.

To Dennis Nattruss for his superb music at the Point and later at the club with members of the Broken Heads, and Mal and the Longboarders, and to newly formed original rockers Stone Mountain, you guys really turned it on, thanks guys.

To the manager and staff of the Lennox Bowling and Recreation Club, thank you for your support.

To Barry Regan, you are a true gentleman of our sport and every young surfer should take the time to speak to Barry, as he is an historic figure in surfing and doesn’t mind a chat either.

Wayne ‘Rabbitt’ Bartholomew, thank you for speaking on the day, you have a long-time connection to the area and confirmed your friendship and commitment to our area by being there. Cheyne Horan was also there showing his support for suring in our area, Cheyne has also experienced the delights of our area over many years.

The legendary MP, Michael Peterson, one of the greats of all time who spent a lot of time surfing Lennox beack in the 70s, made a rare appearance on the day as well, MP you’re a legend.

To Brad Farmer and Professor Andy Short, we thank you for getting the whole reserve movement off the ground which is just the start as we hope to work with Lands Minister Tony Kelly through Lands Department reps Graeme Harding and Dave McPherson to form a trust to look after the area.

We thank Minister Tony Kelly for opening the reserve and for his down-to-earth nature.

To Barry Cheadle, Joy Ford and Chris Brack for their work on the book and to all who supplied the photos.

To all the local boardriding clubs for their support.

We intend to move hell and highwater to get this trust set up and work together with local bodies and concerned Landcare groups to help protect the coastline.

We had a few knockers along the way but take great heart from the support of the people who have backed us.

This was never going to be about anybody’s personal gain and our committee made sure of that and will continue in that direction.

To us is is about the protection of one of the world’s greatest pieces of coastline and the Labor Government of the day has seen fit to recognise what this stretch of coast means to us.

There are no new rules hindering anybody from doing what they normally do in the reserve area, so we wish the knockers would finally realise this and come on board to help in the protection of the area for future generations.

To the local press, radio and newspapers and TV, thanks for your support all through this, and we hope to continue with government, Ballina Council and concerned local groups to respect, share and preserve our surfing reserve.

Check it out on our fantastic website supplied by Dave Beck, thanks Dave, http://www.lennoxsurfingreserve.com

The Lennox National Surfing Reserve Committee