Avalon Beach SLSC have been awarded the prestigious DHL Club of the Year for the work they have done during the past year. The citation reads;
DHL CLUB OF THE YEAR
Avalon SLSC, NSW
Central to Avalon SLSC club ethos is their policy of ‘One Club’. As a group they strive for excellence through leadership by example. The club adopted a strategic plan in 2017 which provided a detailed set of goals, strategies and performance indicators that set an ambitious set of targets across nine strategic priorities, from lifesaving, club development and sustainability, through to Nippers, and surf sports. Avalon SLSC prides itself on being rescue ready with a large member base also on the emergency call-out team. The opening of a new clubhouse has engaged the local community with such events as Christmas Carols at the Beach and the Lion Island Challenge. Avalon SLSC is a pillar of the local community.
Roger Sayers, ABSLSC Life Member and Publicity Officer for the club said late last night "A team of representatives from all aspects of the club were thrilled when the final award of the night was made. A very prestigious award that acknowledges the club's outstanding commitment to surf lifesaving and the community."
Avalon Beach SLSC were also named Club of the Year at the 2017-2018 Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence.
The evening also recognised those surf lifesavers who performed significant rescues on Australia’s coastline. Announced at this year's SLSA Awards of Excellence was a recognition for Whale Beach SLSC. The citation reads:
MERITORIOUS AWARD
Whale Beach SLSC, NSW
On Saturday, 23rd December 2017, two young swimmers were swept off the sandbank between the flags at Whale Beach. It was quickly apparent the swimmers were inexperienced as they were struggling to stay afloat. Iain Bownes signalled from the water’s edge for assistance from the patrol. Iain Bownes, Lachlan Williams, Oliver Bownes, Angus Bownes and Jack Bregenhoj all entered the water on boards and with rescue tubes to aid the drowning swimmers. While one patient had managed to regain his footing on the sandbank, the other patient could not be seen.
The IRB was launched to assist. While searching for the patient, Angus noticed bubbles coming from below the surface and a faint silhouette. He dove down three meters to retrieve the unconscious patient from the ocean floor. The rescuers got the patient onto a rescue board and paddled him back to shore. Upon seeing the patient, patrol captain, Suzy Bownes immediately called emergency services before the team commenced CPR. After four rounds of CPR the patient started breathing. The second patient who had made it back to shore was monitored for shock. Strong teamwork and a swift response prevented a more serious outcome.
Whale Beach SLSC were awarded the SLSNSW Rescue of the Month for their response to this rescue. Whale Beach SLSC also won Rescue of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Awards of Excellence 2018.
The following lifesavers were involved in the incident;
Suzy Bownes, Iain Bownes, Angus Bownes, Oliver Bownes, Sophie Rothery, Liam George, Jack Bregenhoj, Lachlan Williams, Sydney Robertson, Sally Collier, Tom Sanderson, Nicholas Dijohn, Lara Boyle, Alexander Burchett, Max Zagorski, Archie Elliott, Angus Kellaway, Dylan Gay, Oscar Press, Edward Harrison, William Harte, Ben Rothery, Barney Allen, Harrison Penn, Maddie Zagorski.
Manly's Kendrick Louis was awarded the Surf Sports Athlete of the Year;
SURF SPORTS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kendrick Louis, Manly LSC, NSW
Kendrick made history this season for Manly LSC winning gold in the Open Ironman and ski relay at the 2018 Aussies. Kendrick has been selected for the Australian Surf Lifesaving Team, competing in New Zealand at the Surf Rescue Challenge. Kendrick’s results span across Taplin, surf race, board race and ironman achieving podium results at both state and national level. Kendrick has been noted as not only a fantastic competitor but a strong club leader and mentor, often making himself available to masters and nipper competitors. Award collected on the night by Louis Tassone.
Jemma Smith, Umina SLSC, was awarded Youth Athlete of the Year.
Matthew Slattery, North Avoca SLSC, was named the DHL Lifesaver of the Year and Nicholas Canales, Penguin SLSC (Tasmania) the Youth Lifesaver of the Year.
Another Central Coast club were honoured for their work to honour others with Terrigal SLSC historian and researcher Cathy Cole the 2018 NSW Surf Lifesaving Volunteer of the Year, and Terrigal SLSC, winners of the NSW Initiative of the Year at the NSW Awards of Excellence, now recognised at a National level;
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
Honouring our First Female Lifesavers Event, Terrigal SLSC, NSW
In 2017, Terrigal SLSC undertook the task of recognising the female surf lifesavers who patrolled the Central Coast beaches during World War 2. Between 1942 and 1945, seventy-two of the seventy-six male members in the club were enlisted in the armed forces. Despite the fact that SLSA policy did not recognise female surf lifesavers, a group of trained women took it upon themselves to patrol the beaches, ensuring no lives were lost during this period. These women never received their Bronze Medallion qualification. The First Female Lifesavers event sought to honour and acknowledge these women, some now in their 90’s, by awarding them or their families with Bronze Medallions. The event allowed the club to springboard into the ‘Inheritors Program’ for youth retention and engagement.
Popular SLSA President Graham Ford AM, who was reelected for a 5th two-year term as the SLSA President Elected Director at the Friday October 26th SLSA AGM, was on hand as one of these First Female Lifesavers received a standing ovation at this year's SLSA Awards of Excellence.
Surf Life Saving Australia photo: SLSA President Graham Ford AM, June Raynard, Cathy Cole and Alan Whelpton AO
New SLSA Life Members are John Restuccia, SLS NSW Director of Lifesaving for the past 12 years and active member of Maroubra SLSC, Lyn Barratt of Tasmania, huge contributor to lifesaving in her state and the second female to be appointed to the SLSA board, Heather Thompson, one of Surf Life Saving’s most well-regarded sports coaches and officials who began through doing her Resuscitation Certificate at Grange SLSC in 1975, Marcia Fife, active member of Broadbeach SLSC who has taken ion roles at Club, Branch and State level and whose work in first aid education has seen her representing Queensland on the National Resource panel for four years, and Daniel Hoyland OAM, one of the most dedicated and committed Westpac Livesaver Rescue Helicopter Service officials. Danny’s service to Surf Life Saving spans over 25 years, volunteering at branch, state and national levels. Mr. Hoyland has made a significant contribution to the Westpac Livesaver Rescue Helicopter Service and was instrumental in its implementation, developing many aspects of the high-risk rescue technology that is utilised today.
The full list of awardees and citations may be read on the Surf Life Saving Australia webpage here. Photos and more area available on the SLSA Facebook page.
Community leader Eileen Gordon has been awarded Life Membership of the United Hospitals Auxiliary. Life Membership is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a UHA Member.
Unfortunately Eileen could not attend and her award was accepted by Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary President and Regional Representative Dr. Yvonne Parsons from Mrs Linda Hurley, wife to the NSW Governor and Patron of the UHA.
The 85th UHA State Conference took place this week, October 24th and 25th, at Bankstown Sports Club. This year's conference was hosted by United Hospital Auxiliary Campbelltown Branch who decorated the tables beautifully, including items to reflect Cambelltown's history, and ran a raffle to raise funds for their hospital - Campbelltown.
Since 1933 more than 190 branches of the Auxiliary throughout NSW have supported their individual local health services, providing equipment and services for the benefit of patient comfort and care. In the year 2016-2017 they raised $10,772,339.89 of which the local Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary was the highest achiever. MVHA again received awards for their fundraising this year at the UHA Conference.
MVHA is part of the Metropolitan region comprising Calvary Health Care Kogarah, Friends of Northern Beaches Palliative Care, Gosford, Long Jetty, Manly, Mona Vale, Ourimbah, St Joseph’s Auburn, Woy Woy.
There is also a Western Metropolitan region comprising Blacktown, Busby/Liverpool, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Katoomba-Leura- Wentworth Falls, Liverpool, Liverpool Colonial Club, Moorebank-Chipping Norton, Mount Druitt, Penrith, and Springwood.
Eileen Gordon has been one of our foremost workers for Mona Vale Hospital through the Hospital's auxiliary, having given 18 years service to the Mona Vale Branch. Prior to that Eileen was responsible for combining the original Mona Vale, Newport, Avalon, Narrabeen and Elanora Branches.
Mrs. Gordon has held a number of Executive positions, including Assistant Treasurer, Narrabeen 2000-2007, President Combined Auxiliaries 2002-2007, President of Mona Vale Auxiliary 2008-2013.
With each new monthly fundraising activity, Eileen organised the initial activity and then passed that responsibility to other members of the Auxiliary. The MVHA relates Eileen instigated all the fundraising activities they now have; stalls, sausage sizzles, fashion parades, raffles etc. Under her leadership Eileen increased the amount of funds raised markedly. MVHA states Eileen was mainly responsible for the UHA certificates issued to their branch for funds raised year after year.
Her Promotion of the Branch within the Community has been phenomenal too. Making the Auxiliary known to the public, interacting with clubs in the district such as the art centre, Mona Vale Garden Club, local bridge club, politicians, local council and the media to name a few, has been her object and achieved aim.
Eileen has outstanding experience in nurturing new members and organising events. Her mentoring of new and existing members, after finding out their skills, has meant many have taken a place in a suitable position.
Eileen was Pittwater Woman of the Year in 2010, and the recipient of the Federal Member's Award for Contribution to the Health Service to the Community in 2012.
Surfing development in NSW has received a boost with the announcement of the joint venture between the NSW Sports High Schools Association and Surfing NSW. This partnership will help support and develop young surfers in NSW who aspire to compete on the world stage.
On Friday 26 October, Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden and President of the NSW Sports High Schools Association (SHSA) Roger Davis launched the new partnership at Maroubra Beach alongside students from Matraville Sports High, Narrabeen Sports High, Illawarra Sports High, Hunter Sports High and Endeavour Sports High.
Luke Madden said: “Now that we are an Olympic sport, it is essential that we explore ways to further develop our sport. We see this partnership as a vital component in the identification and development of talent and a key to building a high-performance pathway for our sport in the state."
“Partnering with the NSW SHSA will, without doubt, enhance the development of elite male and female surfers in NSW. We see a huge benefit from the Sports High School model that combines high-quality education and coaching in a nurturing and supportive environment.”
The program will provide a comprehensive curriculum that includes skill and technique development and fitness as well as strategies to enable students to build the mental capabilities required to be successful in the competitive world of surfing.
Roger Davis said: “We know from experience that the holistic development of the student-athlete at NSW Sports High Schools has already contributed to the development of some of Australia’s most elite sporting stars. This partnership will establish the sports high schools as a nursery for elite surfers in Australia.”
Roger Davis, President NSW Sports High Schools Association, speaking during Friday's Announcement
Cooper Chapman, a former student of Narrabeen Sports High School and current World Surf League Qualifying Series surfer said: “At Narrabeen Sports High School I learnt how important it was to be a good role model, not just in sport but in all aspects of life. The teachers were understanding and supported me to ensure that I could successfully complete my schooling whilst still being able to fit in my surfing”.
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