STATEMENT FROM MAROOCHDORE SLSC

March 29, 2012: "My name is Tim Ryan president of Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club "On behalf of the members of Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club we are deeply saddened with the tragic loss of one of our club's finest young surf lifesavers in Matthew Barclay.

"All of our hearts go out to Matthew's family, who are such a major part of our club and our community, and all of his team mates.

"He was not only one of the club's most outstanding competitors, winning Queensland gold medals and identified as a future champion, but also a fine upstanding member of our community.

"We are a very close-knit family orientated club who compete together, socialise together and today we are grieving together.

"The 120 members of our touring team are obviously very affected by this tragic loss of one of our own but I know Matthew's memory will live on in all our hearts forever.

"We all came together as a team last night and today under the support and direction of our club elders.

"Matthew loved competition and while he was very successful individually he was also a great young club and team man who we will miss greatly.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our buddies in Surf Life Saving Australia who searched tirelessly for our Matt, including all of the volunteer lifesavers, emergency services and police, and to all our Sunshine Coast Community thank you for all your support.


Issued on behalf of Maroochydore SLSC