Two Queenslander's awarded SLSA Life Membership

Surf Life Saving Queensland extends their congratulations to John Brennan OAM and Ross Wyeth on being awarded Life Membership of Surf Life Saving Australia.

SLSA Life Membership is given to members who go above and beyond in their duties and responsibilities in Surf Life Saving, and who have shown distinguished voluntary service to the movement over a sustained period of at least 20 years.  

John and Ross will be formally recognised at a Life Members dinner at the 2021 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships and the Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence.

John Brennan OAM, Surfers Paradise SLSC

John’s contribution at Club, Branch and State levels has been distinguished and sustained for over 40 years. His direct contribution within Surf Life Saving Australia has been conspicuous, particularly as a voluntary official, event manager, coach, and team manager.  Over a sustained 30 year period, John is regarded as one of SLSA’s key senior officials who has contributed across all National Surf Sport events including Open, Masters, Youth, IRB, Pool and Special Events including Coolangatta Gold, Ocean Assaults, Warriors on Water, Summer Surf Series and Kellogg’s Nutri Grain Iron series. He is the only official to have been the Australian Referee for all 4 major Championships (Open, Masters, IRB and Pool). John has represented SLSA on the World stage since 1994 including being appointed the Chief Referee since 2004. As a proficient and active member, he has embraced every aspect of surf lifesaving with enthusiasm and diligence.

Ross Wyeth, Southport SLSC

Ross has 60 years of continuous surf lifesaving service. Ross’s distinguished and conspicuous service is in the area of gear and equipment. He was first appointed as the Gear Steward for the Queensland South Coast Branch in 1966 and has held this position at Branch, State and National level ever since. His contribution to SLSA commenced in 1989 when he was appointed as Australian Championships Gear and Equipment Officer.  He continues in this role today. Further to his responsibility at Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships Ross has also made a sustained, distinguished and conspicuous contribution to SLS professional events such as the Kellogg Series, National Surf League, SLSA Interstate and IRB Championships. He was appointed as Referee of the Australian IRB Championships, a role he filled with distinction for three years between 1993 and 1996. Ross initiated the ‘Dirty Dozen’ workforce and has contributed to many innovations in gear and equipment.