SLSQ announces three new Life Members

Surf Life Saving Queensland has recognised three members for their outstanding contribution to the organisation by awarding them SLSQ Life Membership at the 2020/21 Annual General Meeting held on Friday 24 September 2021.

John Brennan OAM 

John has been a member of SLSQ for 41 years and has made a significant contribution to the association in this time.

John joined Surfers Paradise SLSC in 1980 as a 13-year-old after a long period of time involved with swimming. Since the early 80’s, John has gained many surf lifesaving qualifications and awards in a variety of disciplines including Gold Medallion (Advanced Lifesaving), Helicopter Crewman’s, 4 x Silver Medallions etc., and gained over 65 qualifications as outlined in his Surf Guard Awards. He has gone on to become a mentor and facilitator in Patrol Captain, Junior Activities Accreditation Officer, Officials Mentor and Disaster Management.

John held a number of positions at Surfers Paradise SLSC including Vice Captain, Club Captain and in 1997 was recognised for completing 1000 hours of patrol. John was also an active member of the Westpac Helicopter Service from 1996 – 1998, He won numerous club awards including Best Junior (x 2), Best Senior (x 4).

Aside from his involvement at Surfers Paradise SLSC, John has been a member of Pt Lookout SLSC for 27 years and is also an Honorary Member of Currumbin SLSC.

As a member of the SCB Board of Lifesaving/Surf Sports for many decades, John continued to contribute extensively as a volunteer at Club, Branch, State and National levels. He has held key positions within the Branch including Branch Team Manager/Age Manager – 3 years, Branch Coach – 3 years, Branch Selector – 10 years, Director of Junior Lifesaving – 1 year, Coaching Panel – 2 years, and Board and Ski Officer – 3 years.

John was also a volunteer representative on a number of SLSQ Board and Panels State Coaching Panel, State Coaching Officer, State R&R Panel, Member of State Education Panel. State Youth Advisory Panel, State Board of Surf Sports Executive

John was also a distinguished competitor wining a number of State, Australian and World Championships and after his retirement from competition in 1994 John gave back to the sport an official and coach.

JB is probably best known as an official and his accomplishments in this area are second to none.

AWARDS

• 1997 – Life Member – Surfers Paradise SLSC
• 2000 Australian Sports Medal
• 2003 Recipient of the International Lifesaving Citation of Merit for services to Surf Life
• 2006 Recipient of the International Technical Officials Service Medal (Bronze
• 2012 Recipient of the International Technical Officials Service Medal (Silver)
• 2012 OAM
• 2014 Life Member – SLSQ South Coast Branch
• 2016 Recipient of the International Technical Officials Service Medal (Gold)
• 2019 National Medal
• 2020 Life Member – SLSA
• Recipient of the International Lifesaving Citation of Merit for services to Surf Life Saving in 2003

LENORE GRICE

Lenore joined Noosa Heads SLSC in 1972 and also joined Maroochydore SLSC in 1998. She is still an active member at both clubs. Lenore has held many roles at Club level over her 49 years in the association. At Noosa Heads SLSC Lenore held positions of Fundraising Officer, President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Honorary Secretary, House to House Coordinator, First Aid Trainer/Assessors, First Aid Competition Coach, Judiciary Committee, Constitution Committee, Bursary Committee, Anniversary Organising Committee, Grievance officer and Supporters Club Committee.

In 1980 when women were admitted as full members of the Association Lenore displayed leadership, commitment and passion by encouraging young women to join the club to learn important Lifesaving skills as well as life skills including teamwork, communication and organizational skills while building confidence and self-worth. A number of her female friends and work colleagues joined the club, gained their Bronze Medallions and became efficient and effective patrolling members of the club. Lenore led by example she was the club’s first female Office Bearer, the first female coach (in 1986 she coached First Aid team one of whom was a female to win the first ever Australian Championship in the club’s history). She was the first and still is the only female Life Member of the Club. With her positive impact she inspired women to take on key leadership roles within the club. In 2005 Lenore was awarded a Silver Certificate of Recognition for outstanding voluntary contribution and dedication to the advancement and promotion of women in Surf Life Saving.

During her 48 years of continuous voluntary service to Surf Life Saving, Lenore has fulfilled many roles at Club, Branch, State and National levels but her greatest achievement as a Coach had its genesis in 1980 when she became a Trainer, Coach and Assessor for Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club. Her breakthrough Gold Medal as a Coach came in 1986 when the Noosa Heads First Aid Team (one of whom was a female who Lenore had introduced to the club) won the first Australian Championship in the Club’s history. Since 1998 she has coached First Aid teams at Noosa Heads and Maroochydore Clubs to a staggering 36 Australian Championships. Between 1998 and 2018 she has not failed to take home a First Aid Australian Championship in each of those 20 years. Lenore is revered in two major Sunshine Coast Club’s for her tireless work with youth, her generous nature and her outstanding leadership as a Coach in Surf Sports. She is the most successful coach in the history of First Aid Competition.

AWARDS

1990 – Awarded Life Membership of Noosa Heads SLSC

1997 – World Life Saving Citation

2002 – ILS Citation

2003 – Sunshine Coast Branch Life Membership

2005 – SLSQ Coach of the Year

2005 – Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contribution and Dedication to the Advancement and Promotion of Women in Life Saving

2013 – SLSQ Team of the Year

2013 – Certificate of Merit Sunshine Coast Sports Federation Hall of Fame

2014-  Inducted into the SLSA Hall of Fame

2015 – Maroochydore SLSC Life Member

2019 – Life members of SLSA

 

KIRSTEN PHILIPS

Kirsten has shown exceptional dedication to surf lifesaving for over 3 decades. Her leadership roles and longevity of service within surf lifesaving covers all levels of the organisation – club, branch, state and national. She has volunteered thousands of hours to active roles as a patrolling lifesaver, trainer and assessor and office bearer over this time across lifesaving, sport, administration, member development and education. Her focus has always been on continuous improvement in lifesaving services and member development with members being the ‘heart of the organisation’.

Member 36 years and patrolling member 31 years since gaining her Surf Rescue Certificate. Kirsten has completed over 1,600 hours of patrolling and given 15 years service to Surf Life Saving Queensland on various panels or committees in numerous roles including:

• State Lifesaving Committee – Sunshine Coast DOLS
• State Operations Support Committee – State Duty Officer Advisor
• State Membership Services Committee
• State Meritorious and Awards Committee
• Awarded National medal for service to surf lifesaving
• Received two SLSQ Lifesaving Excellence Awards – for service as club captain at Met Caloundra and support in introducing operations support services for the areas, second for support in delivering the SLSQ state conference in 2011.
• 11 years on the Sunshine Coast Branch Executive
• Life member of Met Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club– the first patrolling female surf lifesaver to be given this award in her club.
• Life member of Sunshine Coast Branch
• Patrol captain for more than 10 years.
• 9 years as a member of operations support including Surfcom crew, Surfcom crew captain and duty officer.
• 16 years as a bronze medallion trainer
• 14 years as a bronze medallion assessor
• 11 years as a surf sports official including multiple years are Surf Rescue Competition Branch referee and State sectional referee.
• 2006 Queensland Lifesaver of the Year
• Clive Hammond Silver Medal for service to the Sunshine Coast Branch
• National meritorious awards selection panels – 10 years service
• Mentor on the inaugural SLSA Women’s mentoring program
• Kirsten’s support and mentoring for youth and women across the organisation is well recognised
• Kirsten’s dedication to her roles is also well-recognised, she is not one to shy away from hard work and gives 100% to all of her positions.
• Current mentor in the SLSA Female Mentor

AWARDS

• SLSQ Commendation for Individual Excellence in Lifesaving for service to the club and Caloundra area in improving lifesaving services – 2004/05
• Queensland Surf Lifesaver of the Year – 2005/06 season
• Gold level Women in Lifesaving recognition award – 2006/2007 season
• Assisted the club in winning Queensland Youth Development Club of the year in 2007 and in 2019 at both Branch and State level.
• SLSQ Frontline service award for 5 years service at a Branch level
• SLSQ Commendation for Excellence 2009/10 season for support in delivering the SLSQ conference
• Queensland Government citation medal or flood response – 2011
• Silver Clive Hammond medal for outstanding service to lifesaving on the Sunshine Coast – 2012
• SLSQ award for 5 years and 10 years consecutive service as a patrol captain
• SLSQ Frontline service award for 5 years service as club captain at Met Caloundra
• National medal for service to surf lifesaving