Ian Powell has stood down after 14 years as president of the Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club.

Mr Powell joined the club as a member in 1956, following on in the footsteps of his father, Joseph Baden Powell, who was a club founding member.

Mr Powell informed club members of his decision to stand down from the key leadership in his 2020-21 president's report. Former club captain Adam McCosh takes on the role of president.

In the report, Powell reflected on his time in charge, urged others to become involved and gave the club his blessing.

"Being president for the past 14 years has been rewarding and challenging," Mr Powell said.

"It is now time to move on.

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"I encourage members with time and motivation to come forward and volunteer themselves for positions.

"Clubs like ours thrive on the vibrant involvement of members. I wish the incoming board, committee members and the Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club, the best in all their future endeavours."

While 14 years in the job prepared Mr Powell for most challenges, he acknowledged the last 18 months have provided a unique landscape due to the COVID pandemic.

These challenges included the cancellation of last year's presentation night, the delay in the same event this year and limited numbers for the Australia Day Nippers Carnival.

Mr Powell heaped praise on club member Mick McGoldrick, who has held the role of club COVID officer.

"Mick McGoldrick has led us through these difficult times by liaising with government authorities and Life Saving Victoria on how to respond to the pandemic," Mr Powell said.

"There has been a lot of liaison as well as putting up and taking down signs and talking to people.

"Mick has handled it all in a calm and professional manner."

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Mr Powell has overseen a period of membership growth for the club, as well as an increasingly professional administration

The club has also added to its infrastructure, including the new training facility.

Mr Powell said the proactive and forward thinking approach from the club's committee was reaping rewards.

"Over the last season we operated under a new board structure," he said.

"It worked well with a lot of the operational work now being carried out by committees under the board.

"Our club secretary Abbie Artis was the driving force behind this change.

"Thanks Abbie for initiating these changes which have led to more efficient management of the club.

"Club finances are in good shape and I thank Tania Dalton and Paul Nash for keeping the club on track."

Other key leadership roles in place at the club for 2021-22 include Abbie Artis (secretary), Mick McGoldrick (club captain) and Shaun Murrihy (chief instructor).

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