Events, Members

Surf Life Saving Australia nominees for the 2021 National Awards of Excellence

Wednesday, 3 November 2021

The SLSA National Awards of Excellence recognise the amazing achievements of our members and acknowledges’ their contribution and commitment to their communities.

The annual award night pays tribute and celebrates the extraordinary efforts of members in Surf Life Saving who have demonstrated outstanding acts in the surf, on the beach, in their clubs and in the community in 2020-2021.

In 2021, the annual event will take place virtually on Saturday, November 6 and will consist of both live in studio presentations as well as virtual interviews and appearances from members across Australia.

Throughout the night there will be 13 award categories across lifesaving, education, and sport, as well as the recognition of three new SLSA Hall of Fame inductees and the prestigious Meritorious Awards for outstanding and brave rescues. There will also be three new SLSA Life Members acknowledged during the event.

The event will be held live across Surf Life Saving Australia’s digital channels and hosted by surf lifesaving members Sam Djodan (Redhead SLSC) and Jenny Parry (Maroochydore SLSC).

Surf Life Saving Australia’s President John Baker ESM said that the Awards of Excellence recognise the amazing achievements of our members and acknowledges’ their contribution and commitment to their communities.

“The Awards of Excellence are a chance for our movement to come together to reflect on the past season and recognise the significant contributions individuals and clubs make in keeping the Australian coastline and community safe,” he said.

“The nominees in each category are outstanding, the best in their states or territory across the country. It is truly inspiring to have so many committed, talented and selfless people committed to our movement and the wider community.

“By holding the event virtually, all surf lifesavers across the country have the opportunity to watch and join in the celebrations live as we recognise and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our fellow lifesavers and I encourage everyone to join in the event and celebrations”.

The 2021 SLSA Awards of Excellence will be live from 5:30PM (AEDT) on Saturday November 6 and will be streamed via the SLSA Facebook page.

The nominees for the 2021 National Awards of Excellence are:

DHL Club of the Year:

The DHL Club of the Year Award recognises the incredible achievements in a club’s development that results in a safer beach and aquatic environment for the community at large. It also acknowledges that clubs achieve many outstanding accomplishments through their members and that these initiatives are inspirational and different to our core business.

Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC, NSW
Marcoola SLSC, QLD
Seacliff SLSC, SA
Clifton Beach SLSC, TAS
Black Rock LSC, VIC
Trigg Island SLSC, WA

DHL Surf Lifesaver of the Year:

This award recognises and rewards members who have made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of surf lifesaving frontline services and those who act as ambassadors for surf lifesaving.

Paul Sharpe – Umina SLSC, NSW
Steven Krohn – Darwin SLSC, NT
Melinda Jackson – Northcliffe SLSC, QLD
Matthew Burrage – Goolwa SLSC, SA
Dean Dunham – Penguin SLSC, TAS
Chris Perrott – Portsea SLSC, VIC
Jay Morgan – Fremantle SLSC, WA

DHL Volunteer of the Year:

This award recognises an individual’s contribution that has enhanced the development of surf lifesaving and has demonstrated outstanding service to the organisation at large in a range of areas.

Harold Marshall – Umina SLSC, NSW
Tracy Koch – Darwin SLSC, NT
Raymond Fien – Currumbin SLSC, QLD
Cal Silcock – Christies Beach SLSC, SA
Neil Hargreaves – Port Sorrell SLSC, TAS
Tea-Rose Passon – Port Melbourne LSC, VIC
Luke Bishop – Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC, WA

DHL Lifeguard of the Year:

The DHL Lifeguard of the Year recognises and rewards Australian Lifeguard Service employees who have made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development if lifeguard services during the 2019-20 season.

Amber Whipple – NSW
Kaitlyn Stephen – NT
Isaac Smith – QLD
Lachlan Campbell – SA
Sarah McNamara – VIC
Dominic Lawrence – WA

Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year:

This award recognises and rewards our young members ages between 15-21 year, who has made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of surf lifesaving frontline services and those who act as ambassadors for surf lifesaving.

Liam Drake – Ocean Beach SLSC, NSW
Fisher Harris – Mindil Beach SLSC, NT
Dylan Chapman – Miami Beach SLSC, QLD
Tom Breen – Goolwa SLSC, SA
Murphy Knowles – Ulverstone SLSC, TAS
Andrew May – Portsea SLSC, VIC
Nicholas Graydon – Secret Harbour SLSC, WA

Assessor of the Year:

This award recognises and reward assessors who have made a significant contribution towards the area of education and awards within surf lifesaving.

Phillip Carter – Maroubra SLSC, NSW
Ken Clark OAM – Pacific SLSC, QLD
Ingrid Cobiac – Brighton SLSC, SA
Elise McCorriston – Venus Bay SLSC, VIC
Jeff Medcalf – Albany SLSC, WA

Trainer of the Year:

This award recognises and rewards trainers who have made a significant contribution toward the area of education within surf lifesaving.

Tim Pittolo – Terrigal SLSC, NSW
Bridget Riggs – Darwin SLSC, NT
Annabel Grant – Cairns SLSC, QLD
Hannah Darling – Grange SLSC, SA
Megan Hampton – Bicheno SLSC, TAS
Steven Thirlwall – Black Rock LSC, VIC
Garry Williams – Secret Harbour SLSC, WA

Community Education Program of the Year:

Community Education Program of the Year recognises and rewards activities which have significantly worked towards saving lives, creating great Australians, and building better communities.

Welcome to the Beach – Cooks Hill SLSC, NSW
Albatross Nipper Program – Nobbys Beach SLSC, QLD
Semaphore Seabirds Nipper Inclusion Program – Semaphore SLSC, SA
Silver Salties Program – Penguin SLSC, TAS
Silver Salties Program – Binningup SLSC, WA

Innovation of the Year:

The SLSA Innovation of the Year Award is given to a person or group in recognition of any development of equipment, procedures, or other initiatives that improves any facet of Surf Life Saving Australia.

Learn to Surf Program – Sandon Point SLSC, NSW
International Women’s Day Patrol – Point Danger Branch, QLD
IRB Motor Lift – Semaphore SLSC, SA
Sisters in Surf – Boat Harbour Beach SLSC, TAS
The Venus Bay Proprietary Communication Application – Venus Bay LSC, VIC

Youth Athlete of the Year:

Surf Sports Youth Athlete of the Year recognises and rewards athletes ages 15-21 who have demonstrated sporting excellence a well as contributed to the area of surf sports within surf lifesaving.

Lily Finati – North Bondi SLSC, NSW
Emma Woods – Alexandra Headland SLSC, QLD
Maguire Reid – Port Noarlunga SLSC, SA
Phoebe Woodhouse – Burnie SLSC, TAS
Daisy Graham – South Melbourne LSC, VIC
Will Savage – Trigg Island SLSC, WA

Athlete of the Year:

Surf Sports Athlete of the Year recognises and rewards athletes who have demonstrated sporting excellence a well as contributed to the area of surf sports within surf lifesaving.

Ali Najeem – Wanda SLSC, NSW
Heather Standley – Darwin SLSC, NT
Georgia Miller – Northcliffe SLSC, QLD
Francesca Kidd – Seacliff SLSC, SA
Connor van der Ploeg – Burnie SLSC, TAS
Madeleine Hurst – Half Moon Bay LSC, VIC
Sophie Watts – City of Perth SLSC, WA

Surf Sports Coach of the Year:

This award recognises and rewards coaches who have made a significant contribution towards the area of coaching within surf lifesaving with regards to both athlete’s performance and the area of educational development for coaches.

Mick Lang – Tacking Point SLSC, NSW
Jody Hall – Mindil Beach SLSC, NT
Melinda Jackson – Northcliffe SLSC, QLD
Charles Sheffield – Grange SLSC, SA
Maddy McBride – Kingston Beach SLSC, TAS
Christine Cardwell – South Melbourne LSC & Angelsea SLSC, VIC
Matthew Bowbridge – Trigg Island SLSC, WA

Surf Sports Official of the Year:

Surf Sports Official of the Year recognises and rewards officials who have made a significant contribution within surf lifesaving to the area of officiating and have shown an extraordinary commitment to officiating through the 2019-20 season as well as contributing towards official’s educational development.

Ken Sellers – The Entrance SLSC, NSW
Kylie Innes – Northcliffe, QLD
Paul Rothwell – Christies Beach SLSC, SA
Elizabeth Eustace – Ulverstone SLSC, TAS
Kaya Cook – Mount Martha LSC, VIC
Garry Bunford – Sorrento SLSC, WA