Metropolitan Caloundra’s Eliza Dreves announced as 2021 Surf Woman of the Year
Over the past 12 months, the Sunshine Coast local has attended more than 100 activities and events, reached 3,000 people with surf safety messaging and held five fundraisers for her club amongst many other things.
Jessica Appel from Coolum SLSC was announced runner up and highest fundraiser, generating an incredible $48,071.51, which will directly benefit lifesaving services and member development at her club.
An audience of over 280 members of the surf lifesaving community were present for the announcement, at a special dinner at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre last night (Saturday 15 May).
As overall winner, Eliza Dreves went home with $10,000 cash thanks to The Star Gold Coast.
Eliza expressed her delight at being named 2021 Surf Woman of the Year.
“It is an out of this world feeling, it is still sinking in, I am just so happy and honoured to be named Surf Woman of the Year,” she said.
“I am excited to go back to my club and share this moment with them, they have supported me since I joined the club as a nine year old nipper.”
Over the past year, 18 of SLSQ’s most outstanding women undertook a range of judging elements in the hope of being named winner of the iconic Surf Woman of the Year program.
The annual program, now in its 57th year, is open to members who undertake a range of activities to develop their leadership, lifesaving, community education, networking and fundraising skills over a period of up to 12 months.
The program has now raised more than $17 million since its inception in 1964.
SLSQ Community Awareness Manager Helen Hallett described the contribution of all entrants as nothing short of spectacular.
“I would like to congratulate Eliza Dreves for her efforts over the last 12 months in developing her leadership and community engagement skills. Her work has raised awareness and support for the valuable work our lifesavers perform,” she said.
“It has been fantastic to have 18 dedicated and passionate women involved in the Surf Woman of the Year program.
“They have each developed lifesaving, leadership and communication skills which will benefit them for years to come both within and outside of surf lifesaving.”
Claudia Fien from Point Danger Branch on the Gold Coast took out the Innovation Award for her implementation of an all-female patrol day on March 7 at beaches from Rainbow Bay to Tallebudgera.
Georgia Martin from Elliot Heads SLSC was the inaugural recipient of the Surf Woman of the Year Internship, which will see her undertake a 12-month salaried internship with Surf Life Saving Queensland.