2021 Awards of Excellence winners announced
Northcliffe’s Melinda Jackson is Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Surf Lifesaver of the Year after dedicating more than 40 years of her life to the organisation.
Jackson was awarded at Surf Life Saving Queensland’s virtual 2021 Awards of Excellence on Saturday 25th September.
Throughout her time at Northcliffe, Jackson has dedicated countless hours in a number of roles including training and assessing surf lifesaving patrol awards, officiating at local carnivals and coaching numerous teams.
Not only was Jackson named Surf Lifesaver of the Year, she also took out the Volunteer Coach of the Year.
Surf Life Saving Queensland CEO Dave Whimpey congratulated Jackson on her outstanding service.
“Our organisation would not be what it is today, without people like Melinda who dedicate so much of their time to our cause,” he said.
“We thank Melinda for her leadership and continued service.”
Another Northcliffe winner was Milla Jansen, who was awarded the Junior Athlete of the Year for her truly outstanding show of athleticism with her successful season competing for Northcliffe.
With incredible results during the 2020/21 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Georgia Miller secured herself the Peter Lacey Athlete of the Year award after a fantastic competition season and asserting herself as a true ambassador for Surf Life Saving.
During the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Miller won a total of nine gold medals, the most which has ever been won by an individual Open athlete. If Miller had competed as her own SLSC, she would have placed 18th out of 115 clubs.
In other awards, Dylan Chapman of Miami Beach SLSC received the Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year award due to his outstanding leadership qualities.
In recognition of his commitment to his club and beyond, Currumbin’s Raymond ‘Freddy’ Fien was awarded the Volunteer of the Year at this year’s awards night.
Fien has been involved at all levels of surf lifesaving and dedicates countless hours in junior and youth activities.
Mr Whimpey extended a congratulations to all involved.
“These winners represent just a fraction of the dedication and support we have from our volunteers, but they have gone above and beyond and deserve this recognition,” he said.
“Well done on all you’ve achieved this season; your ongoing efforts are what keep our organisation motivated and most importantly, keep swimmers at our beach safe.”
Full list of 2021 Awards of Excellence Winners:
- Club of the Year – Marcoola SLSC
- Volunteer of the Year – Raymond Fien, Currumbin SLSC
- Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Melinda Jackson, Northcliffe SLSC
- Peter Lacey Athlete of the Year – Georgia Miller, Northcliffe SLSC
- Lifeguard of the Year – Isaac Smith
- Clive Hammond OAM Medal – Jennifer Jones, Etty Bay SLSC
- Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Dylan Chapman, Miami Beach SLSC
- U14 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Tas Chamberlain, Dicky Beach SLSC
- U18 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Isabella Powell, Alexandra Headland SLSC
- Volunteer Coach of the Year – Melinda Jackson, Northcliffe SLSC
- Trainer of the Year – Annabel Grant, Cairns SLSC
- Rookie Coach of the Year – Taine Bishop, Southport SLSC
- Ron ‘Boppo’ Tallon OAM Official of the Year – Kylie Innes, Northcliffe SLSC
- Sport Team Manager of the Year – Sue Walton, Northcliffe SLSC
- Community Education Program of the Year – Albatross Nipper Program, Nobbys Beach SLSC
- Junior & Youth Development Club of the Year – Tallebudgera SLSC
- Innovation Award – International Women’s Day Patrol
- Innovation Award – PULSE – Advanced Lifesaving Program
- Assessor of the Year – Kenneth Clark OAM, Pacific SLSC
- Professional Coach of the Year – Kurt Wilson, Currumbin SLSC
- Rookie Official of the Year – Ben Cahill, Currumbin SLSC
- Youth Athlete of the Year – Emma Woods, Alexandra Headland SLSC
- Sport Team of the Year – U19 Male Surf Boat Crew – Maroochydore Force, Maroochydore SLSC
- Andy Frizzel OAM, OBE – Shaun Baker, Noosa Heads SLSC
- Volunteer of the Year – Special Commendation – Eliza Dreves, Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC
- Junior & Youth Development Club of the Year – Special Commendation – Redcliffe Peninsula SLSC
- President’s Cup – Alexandra Headland SLSC
- Operations Support Person of the Year – Jeremy Sturges, Mermaid Beach SLSC
- Junior Athlete of the Year – Milla Jansen, Northcliffe SLSC
- Masters Athlete of the Year – Tiarne Smith, Northcliffe SLSC
Throughout the evening Lifesaving Excellence Awards were presented to worthy recipients:
Tess Cramond AO OBE Medal for Lifesaving Excellence – Outstanding Resuscitation:
Matthew, Bridget and Noah Lunn and Beau Hickey from the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club for their exemplary efforts in performing resuscitation on unconscious man at Pacific Beach on July 8, 2020
And Wellington Point Lifeguard Hayley Robinson for the successful resuscitation of an adult man who collapsed in waters off Reserve Esplanade at Wellington Point on January 14, 2021.
Northcliffe’s Graham Adams, Sheldon Alcantara, Scott Bradford, David Bryant, Nick Tate and Matt Gunn for the successful resuscitation of an adult man who collapsed at Northcliffe Beach on October 25 2020.
Sunshine Coast lifeguards Billy Kneale, Jack Frey, Rene Gregory, Vittoria Farmer, James Cervi, William Gemmell, Steven Boyd, Jake Pannunzio, and Flynn Ross for the successful resuscitation of an adult man who collapsed at Noosa West on January 5, 2021.
Jack Dearlove MBE Medal – for Lifesaving Excellence – Outstanding Rescue:
Tallebudgera and Pacific Surf Club Members and the Gold Coast Duty Officers for rescuing seven people from dangerous surf at Tallebudgera Beach on January 26, 2021.
Mooloolaba’s Tim Barrett and Mudjimba’s Guy Tanner for rescuing a mother and her two children from a rip at Mudjimba on August 6, 2020.
Tweed Heads Coolangatta’s Jason Baker, Iain Rogers, Geoffrey Carlin and Kane Haley for rescuing the victim of a shark attack at Greenmount Beach on September 8, 2020.