Surf LIFE
60 – October 2024
Multi-Day Trip Celebrates Rich Rescue Boat History
A historic journey replicating a feat completed half a century ago ended with great fanfare at Coolangatta in September, after members of Soldiers Beach SLSC drove an Inflatable Rescue Boat from Sydney Harbour to the Gold Coast for the 2024 World Lifesaving Championships.
Following in the footsteps of club members 50 years ago who completed the same journey to showcase the durability and reliability of the then-new rescue craft, the Soldiers Beach crew was proud to celebrate the important milestone with a nod to the pioneers of yesteryear.
In all, the trip of more than 700km took four days to complete through various testing conditions – a truly heroic effort that was admired across the movement and fittingly, when the boat came into view for the first time off Greenmount Beach, earned a hero’s welcome.
“The reception went above and beyond what we were expecting, they treated us like rock stars,” Soldiers Beach Club President, Simon Falconer said.
“They stopped the carnival and let us lead in a flotilla and gave us a guard of honour when we hit the beach, we were pretty much told to go and take it all in, we will take care of your boat.
“Graeme Lewis who was one of the originals to do the trip all those years ago was there, it was really incredible.”
From the early hours of Monday morning, 2 September when Bondi SBLSC members helped to launch two IRBs under police escort at Kirribilli, to the reception clubbies offered as the crew came to shore in Coolangatta on the Thursday afternoon, the trip brought out the best in the Surf Life Saving community.
The crew also had the opportunity to rest each day at Ingenia Holiday Parks locations along the coastline – a wonderful donation from one of SLSNSW’s partners.
“Every club we stopped in at along the way as well, they were nothing short of fantastic,” Simon said.
“From storing the boats to members meeting us and helping us, food and beverages were put on sometimes, they were there late in the arvo and first thing in the morning.”
It’s not to say there weren’t gruelling aspects – Simon admits to “friction in some places” after so many hours in the boat – but in all the experience was one they wouldn’t change for the world and is inspiring grand plans for the near future for the club.
“It was challenging with the different conditions, but we knew we were going to hit some adverse conditions and safety protocols were in place,” he said.
“Overall, I’m extremely impressed with everyone who had things to do with this. We had youth, life members, associates, so many people involved. To see everyone working together, building that teamwork, it all just worked well.
“There’s even talks of another trip happening in a few years’ time, we might head down south.”
NSW AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Highlights Outstanding Volunteer Lifesavers
A huge season has been celebrated and reflected on by nearly 500 volunteer lifesavers and their supporters, coming together on Saturday 24 August for the annual Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence event in Sydney.
The gala award ceremony signed off in signature fashion – by crowning the 2024 Surf Lifesaver of the Year. Umina SLSC’s Mollie Murphy took the title this year, to huge applause and excitement from the Central Coast corner of the room.
Mollie’s award – coming less than a month after also being named a Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards winner – was the 24th and final on a night in which volunteers from clubs up and down the NSW coastline came together to recognise the achievements of more than 78,000 members across the state and announce a new crop of award recipients.
The 25-year-old Club Director of Lifesaving also rounded out an amazing night for clubs and members from the Central Coast – a quarter of the awards up for grabs went to the Branch, including three alone for Terrigal SLSC; Club of the Year, Coach of the Year (Ryan Quick) and Masters Athlete of the Year (Paul Lemmon).
“It’s incredible to be the Surf Life Saver for NSW, but I’ve always just done it because I love it not for the recognition,” Mollie said moments after receiving her award.
“It’s pretty crazy but I’m very grateful. The community around the club I love, there’s so many people I’ve grown up with and it just makes for a real family.”
It was a strong night for the Hunter and Sydney Northern Beaches, too, with the Branches winning five and four awards, respectively, across the night.
Perhaps the highlight was Redhead SLSC’s dominance of the individual athlete categories, with Lani Waller(Youth Athlete of the Year) and Dan Collins (Athlete of the Year) illustrating the club’s surf sport excellence.
Dan’s award was his second straight Athlete of the Year victory – the first to go back-to-back since Cronulla SLSC swimming legend, Chris Allum in 2009 and 2010, while Lani was justly rewarded for a season that included winning both the U19 and Open Female Iron titles at the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships.
Further highlights on the night included the roar from the
Bondi SBLSC table when the club’s IRB trainer Team was named Services Team of the Year, and a double-win for South Curl Curl SLSC in the Youth Volunteer of the Year (Amanda Cannon) and Assessor of the Year (Scott Stein) categories.
Meanwhile, Larnie Mordue out of Woolgoolga SLSC picked up the Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year award – an amazing reflection of the dedication she brings to her North Coast club at just 15 years of age. She was one of three winners from the north of the state, with Gary Raso (Cudgen Headland) winning Support Operations Member of the Year and Lily Murphy (Ballina Shire) winning Lifeguard of the Year.
“It means so much and it’s so much more than a ‘me’ award, it’s so much down to my branch and my club and I’m so proud to have been built up by such great people,” Larnie said.
Birubi Point SLSC Innovation of the Year winners
Larnie Mordue Youth Lifesaver of the Year winner
The Hunter Branch took home a fully equipped drone kit for winning Branch of the Year, thanks to the event sponsor, D1 Store – Australia’s home for DJI.
The spotlight was also shone on Manly LSC’s Ray Petersen – a stalwart of the movement and an invaluable contributor to preserving the history of Surf Life Saving in NSW in his role as founder of the SLSNSW History Panel. For his more than six decades of service, he was honoured with the prestigious President’s Medal.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib congratulated all the finalists on the night and thanked the state’s volunteer lifesavers for their commitment to keeping the coastline safe.
“It’s so difficult choosing just one winner out of a group of Surf Life Saving volunteers who sacrifice their precious time to help keep our beaches safe over the swimming season,” he said.
“These awards are a great way of bringing our amazing Surf Life Saving volunteers together to celebrate them and everything they do to keep us safe while we enjoy our beautiful beaches and other waterways.”
Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM congratulated all winners on the night, and highlighted his pride at the wide representation of finalists from across all Branches.
“Another tricky season is in the bag but the field of candidates for all of the award categories highlights just how prepared we are heading into this summer; there were so many deserving recipients of these awards,” he said.
“I’m very proud to be leading an organisation that represents so many people who have no hesitation in giving up their time to protect the lives of others.”
2024 AOE WINNERS
YOUTH
Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Larnie Mordue (Woolgoolga SLSC)
Youth Volunteer of the Year – Amanda Cannon (South Curl Curl SLSC)
Youth Athlete of the Year – Lani Waller (Redhead SLSC)
MEMBERSHIP
Innovation Award – Dusk Patrol Program (Birubi Point SLSC)
Services Team of the Year – IRB Trainer Team (Bondi SBLSC)
Administrator of the Year – Steve Smith (Caves Beach SLSC)
EDUCATION
Trainer of the Year – Richard Grimmond (Ocean Beach SLSC)
Assessor of the Year – Scott Stein (South Curl Curl SLSC)
Facilitator of the Year – Caroline Hjorth (Mona Vale SLSC)
Community Education Program of the Year – Fit to Learn with Police Youth Command (Newport SLSC)
SURF SPORTS
Official of the Year – Michael Crowle (Mollymook SLSC)
Coach of the Year – Ryan Quick (Terrigal SLSC)
Masters Athlete of the Year – Paul Lemmon (Terrigal SLSC)
Surf Sports Team of the Year – Bulli Open Men’s Surf Boat Crew
LIFESAVING
Lifeguard of the Year – Lily Murphy (Ballina Shire)
Patrol Captain of the Year – Jackie Sproll (North Avoca SLSC)
Support Operations Member of the Year – Gary Raso (Cudgen Headland SLSC)
Rescue of the Year – LNC Duty Officers/Cape Hawke Call Out Team (March 2024)
MAJOR
President’s Medal – Ray Petersen (Manly LSC) Branch of the Year – Hunter
Club of the Year – Terrigal SLSC
Athlete of the Year – Dan Collins (Redhead SLSC)
Volunteer of the Year – Elyse McMaster (Evans Head-Casino SLSC)
Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Mollie Murphy (Umina Beach SLSC)
Ryan Quick
Mollie Murphy
Bondi IRB Trainer Team
Members of Evans-Head-Casino SLSC were presented with their new IRB at the Australian IRB Championships in Queensland
IRB Hulls for NSW Clubs Ampol Provides New
Evans Head-Casino SLSC and Batemans Bay SLSC are the proud owners of new Inflatable Rescue Boat hulls ahead of the upcoming season, after being named the winners of the 2024 Ampol IRB Hull Giveaway in July.
Announced at the Sharkskin Australian IRB Championships at Miami Beach on the Gold Coast – a fitting location given over 800 competitors were racing IRBs in the name of upskilling and rescue simulation – the NSW clubs were the latest recipients of vital lifesaving equipment as part of the Ampol competition.
“We are privileged to be one of the recipients of the Ampol branded IRB, which will ensure that our club and volunteers can continue to support the local community and help train our young members,” Evans Head-Casino Club Captain, Michael Pontefract said.
“In the 2022 floods, our IRB was essential in the rescue efforts, and this new IRB will help protect our community on the beaches and also in times of natural disaster.”
Indeed, battling flood waters as much as three metres high, Evans HeadCasino members utilised the IRBs’ rescue capabilities to land on rooves and rescue as many as 100 displaced members of the community.
“During the floods the members themselves worked really hard and our IRBs travelled around 200kms on one day total, bringing people safely back to evacuation centres,” IRB Driver and Evans Head-Casino member, Kira Hartland said.
“I’m so proud of what the club achieved; we just did what we were trained to do.”
A significant number of the North Coast club’s volunteer base nominated for the competition, understanding the value the rescue vessel holds within the community but also as a tool for member retention and growth.
Batemans Bay, too, on the Far South Coast reaches a peak visitation figure of as many as 60,000 people in the summer and the club plans to use the new IRB to protect holiday makers in the region.
“Our partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia continues to place an important spotlight on Ampol Foundation’s focus of safety and wellbeing within the communities in which we operate,” Ampol Chief Brand Officer, Jenny O’Regan said.
“We are proud to oversee the delivery of new IRBs to two deserving Surf Life Saving Clubs in Evans Head and Batemans Bay and wish them all the best for the beach patrol season ahead.”
Over 620 responses were received for the third running of the Ampol IRB Hull Giveaway.
REPORT SHOWS
Increased Drownings in NSW
Coastal drowning deaths and drownings in total in NSW are up for the 2023-24 year, detailed in the National Drowning Report released on Tuesday 20 August.
Sixty-one* (61) drownings occurred in the coastal zone (beaches, ocean and coastal waterways) out of the 128 total drownings in the state for the 12 months.
Drownings at unpatrolled locations are overwhelmingly the key take-away in the coastal statistics, and significantly, there has been a big spike in fatalities over the winter months.
Somewhat alarming is the fact that 21 people drowned during the months of May/June/July and August, compared with the 10 year-average of 10 drownings per year.
The rise in drownings outside the patrol season and in colder months is of concern to Surf Life Saving NSW and reinforces the need to focus on initiatives outside the red and yellow flags, as part of the state’s drowning prevention strategy.
“We are seeing increasing participation in coastal and ocean activities during off-season, from swimming and paddling, to rock fishing and boating. While it’s fantastic to see people enjoying our beautiful coastline yearround, it puts our resources under pressure to respond to incidents and emergencies at any time,” said SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce.
“With the support of the NSW Government, Surf Life Saving NSW is implementing a range of measures and innovations designed to protect and save lives away from patrolled locations and outside patrol hours or the patrol season itself.”
From installing more Emergency Response Beacons at blackspots, to increased coastal surveillance
capabilities through an expanding drone program, Surf Life Saving is looking for ways to use technology to save more lives including the use of camera technology and Artificial Intelligence to remotely surveil and monitor hazards at high-risk locations.
Exciting new initiatives are being explored including flying drones further distances and for longer, and controlling flights remotely from anywhere in the state.
Increased water safety education is another focus, targeting at-risk CALD and inland communities and activities such as rock fishing through programs tailored to specific audiences.
“While we have recorded more drownings last year, it is a testament to the incredible work of our 21,000 active lifesavers that none of these occurred at a patrolled beach between the flags.”
More notes on coastal drowning deaths:
• 61 total incidents (10 year average is 46)
• 22 swimming/wading incidents (10 year average is 15)
• 9 rock fishing incidents (10 year average is 8)
• 18 incidents occurred in summer (10 year average is 19)
• 17 occurred in winter (10 year average is 8)
• 11 incidents in March (10 year average is 5)
• 42 incidents (69%) occurred more than 1km from a patrolled location
• Note on statistics – Due to changes in the classification process, additional incidents have been included in the 2023/24 season. Historically these incidents would not have met the criteria for a coastal drowning death, and work is currently underway to re-evaluate previous seasons’ incidents using the new classification process.
❱❱ READ THE RECENTLY RELEASED REPORTS
Lifesaving Conference Focuses on Grassroots Change
More than 400 surf club leaders and emerging talent headed home inspired and motivated after spending the weekend at the 2024 Lifesaving Conference in July.
innovation – encouraged attendees to ‘fire up their minds’ with a series of quirky and enjoyable brainstorms. Then, to close the Conference, former Lonely Planet Executive Director, Gus Balbontin walked members through the importance of fuelling ideas and suggestions around their clubs rather than maintaining the status quo.
to engage and create a roadmap for a more sustainable Surf Life Saving movement, one that attracts and retains volunteers and delivers grassroots lifesaving services to the community more effectively.
Consistent themes of embracing change and the sharing of new and exciting ideas were fostered by internal and external presenters and keynote presentations.
First, Jason Clarke – one of the nation’s foremost trainers and facilitators of
“As the largest volunteer emergency service in NSW, it’s really important and quite exciting to get so many of our members in one place to network and discuss what’s coming up in the lifesaving space,” SLSNSW President, Peter Agnew AM said.
“There was so much energy in the room over the two days, and it was particularly inspiring for me to see so many young faces among the attendees, learning more about our activities across the state.”
Popular breakout sessions over the weekend included
how coastal insights are informing our approach to lifesaving service agreements, a deep dive into SLSNSW’s work beyond the red and yellow flags, and how we can better support member wellbeing and mental health.
“The conference really delivered a great boost to our membership ahead of the new season, and I can’t wait to see how our clubs take inspiration from the presentations at this conference and put it into action on our front lines,” Peter continued.
Illawarra Rookie Program Bright Spark Brings Fresh Feel to
Alyssa Norris had just wrapped up a day at TAFE when we spoke to her. She’s about to finish her electrical apprenticeship and she’s so excited that the new season has now started for 2024/25.
The 21-year-old Windang SLSC member has taken over the Rookie program from her mum. She proudly compliments her as a legend in the club, but Alyssa has ideas and goals of her own, too. She’s got big plans for the kids who transition from Nippers to patrols and has seen the difference a program makes, especially for kids who don’t have the parental involvement in the club that she had.
Alyssa can’t remember the first time she went to the surf club – she was a baby, that much is for sure. It was likely on patrol with her parents, Kay and Jayson, who are both now life members of the club and continue to be her biggest inspiration.
“The effort from both my parents in their lifetime has been amazing,” she boasted.
“Mum won the first ever female IRB race when women were allowed to compete and she was the second woman to get RWC qualified in the Illawarra. She’s been Lifesaver of the Year twice too!
“Dad first joined in 1986 to do his Bronze Medallion and has been 100% attendance every single year for what’s coming up to his 39th patrolling season, what an absolute powerhouse.”
Alyssa couldn’t begin to express the amount of gratitude she has towards her parents for bringing her up in the community club with a communityminded attitude to life.
“People say I got the best of both my parents and especially their passion for Surf Life Saving,” she said.
So what’s in store for the Rookies in the class of 2024-25? Alyssa says she’s been busy building a network within the wider Surf Life Saving community to help support her ideas, and already has some big events on the calendar.
“This season we’re collaborating with Bellambi SLSC and other clubs to boost skills in first aid and we’ll be running an Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt. We have made some really great partnerships over the last year and are looking forward to taking this year’s rookies to New Zealand as a first for the club,” she said of the program for 12–14-year-olds.
As well as the activities, the rookies train for and complete their SRC or Bronze Medallion with the support and guidance of Alyssa and the club.
“We have a great support system to keep them learning and growing, we want to keep them involved. They’re part of a rookie patrol to keep the group together and as they get to know the club, we begin to integrate them into other patrols to help them make more friends and open up even more opportunities,” she said.
Alyssa emphasised that joining the club or the rookie program doesn’t mean you need to be an excellent swimmer, nor have family already in the club.
“When I was younger, I was terrified of the waves, I wouldn’t even go past my knees... and it took me a few goes to get passed in the board rescue. But there’s a place and a job for everyone,” she said.
“My grandmother was club secretary and has always been in the
background of the club’s operations but was never a patrol member, but I know how much relief she gave others by taking on that role.”
As for not having any family involved, she said you find yourself in the most amazing support system with so many people ready to help.
“In any size club you will find support. At Windang, I’ve been especially lucky. The club has helped me reach any goal and my amazing group of friends have all come from the greater Surf Life Saving organisation.”
She has seen the impact it all makes on others too, having watched a younger girl who was bullied at school complete her Bronze Medallion and come to life with new skills, friends, and confidence.
Alyssa is a firm believer that the more you put in, the more you get out and that every opportunity is for the taking.
Check out each of the member stories that form part of our
LIFESAVERS RETURN TO BEACH Coastal Safety the Priority as
Beachgoers into the summer have 21,000 more reasons to smile as Surf Life Saving NSW’s active core of volunteer lifesavers returned to our beaches on Saturday 28 September, marking the start of the 2024/25 patrolling season.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib joined surf lifesavers and Nippers for the symbolic raising of the red and yellow flags at Coogee Beach and recognised the important role volunteers play in public safety along the NSW coastline.
After unseasonable warmth through the early Spring period and the likelihood this will continue over the coming months, lifesavers begin the season on high alert but buoyed by the addition of important rescue equipment and materials to help keep beachgoers safe.
With support from the NSW Government, a suite of new equipment, vessels and safety campaigns aimed at reducing coastal drownings is being rolled out across the state, including rescue water craft (jet skis), rescue services vehicles and Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs).
Indeed, over the past 12 months; 14 new jet skis and 11 rescue services vehicles, kitted out with vital lifesaving equipment, have been brought into service across the state, and eight new ERBs have been installed at identified high-risk locations across the state.
The NSW Government is also supporting the development and rollout of a new water safety campaign, targeting at-risk members
of the community with critical safety messaging after a spike in coastal drownings last season.
From July 1 2023 to June 30 2024, there were 61 coastal drownings in NSW. All of these occurred either outside patrol hours or at unpatrolled locations.
“Our volunteer lifesavers do an incredible job, and people need to do their bit by swimming in patrolled areas during patrol hours – no matter how strong a swimmer you consider yourself to be,” Minister Dib continued.
“Awareness is key, and through expanded community programs and a new national water safety campaign, we’re reaching at-risk groups with lifesaving knowledge that will make a real difference this summer.”
Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM thanked the NSW Government for its continued support of the movement and urged beachgoers to be cautious, to observe water safety advice from lifesavers or lifeguards, and to take responsibility for themselves and their families when heading to the coastline this summer.
While the movement continues to grow and the need for lifesavers along our coastline grows with it, many surf clubs are experiencing problems attracting enough volunteers to meet
the increasing demand, particularly in regional areas.
“We’re excited to be back on NSW beaches for another patrol season. We look forward to making the most of new rescue equipment which will help us protect lives along our coastline this summer,” he said.
“It’s pleasing to see the NSW Government acknowledges the value of the contribution made by our skilled and highly trained volunteer lifesavers.
“That being said, we do still need help – not just from the public to observe our basic safety messaging like swimming between the flags and at patrolled beaches, and not just from those who are capable of performing a rescue.
“Last year our volunteer lifesavers performed 3,200 rescues, nearly a quarter of a million preventative actions and over 11,000 first aids. But it’s what happens behind the scenes as well that plays an important part in public safety.
“You can volunteer as little or as much as you like and in many different roles, from admin, to first aid, to teaching Nippers or helping in the club canteen.
“It’s great for your fitness, it’s great for your mental wellbeing, and you get to be a part of a truly incredible community of people.”
The volunteer Surf Patrol season runs until 27 April 2025.
What The Surf OLYMPIC SPECIAL
Join Harold Marshall and hear the stories of the NSW Olympic athletes. Get inspired to get back on the beach this summer and hear about the pathways that these athletes took that were supported by their life and experience in their Surf Life Saving clubs.
Our Mission
To save lives, create great Australians and build better communities.
Summary
Surf Life Saving NSW is the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation, and with over 79,000 members, is one of the largest volunteer movements in Australia.
The primary role of Surf Life Saving NSW is to save lives on our beaches, while other activities include developing our members through education, leadership and surf sports programs.
There are 129 surf clubs and 11 branches in the state which are affiliated with Surf Life Saving NSW, stretching from Fingal Rovers SLSC near Tweed Heads, to Pambula SLSC on the Far South Coast.
Contact Us
For contributions or suggestions for SurfLIFE please contact SLSNSW Media on 02 9471 8000 or media@surflifesaving.com.au
Surf Life Saving NSW wishes to thank the following sponsors and supporters for helping our volunteers save lives on the beaches each year.
National Partners
