At the core of the mission of our membership is saving lives – the ultimate aim of what all the training, education and dedication represents when we hit the beach.
As we edge closer to our NSW Awards of Excellence ceremony – a night to celebrate the incredible people in our organisation and the impact they have on their clubs, its members and their local communities – we are shining a light on some of the inspirational people who are being recognised for their contribution to the community through Surf Life Saving.
The Lifesaving category includes Patrol Captain of the Year, Support Operations Member of the Year and Rescue of the Year.
The newest of all the awards up for grabs, Support Operations Member of the Year acknowledges the importance of ‘outside the flags’ lifesaving and how our Duty Officers, Call Out Team members, UAV and RWC operators play a vital role in delivering a service to the community.
With just three previous winners that makes it all the more impressive that a club could possibly win it twice – this year Bondi SBLSC’s Julie Pritchard may follow Nixy Krite from two years ago and write her name into history.
Glen Dunkley from Fingal Beach SLSC and Anthony Turner from Thirroul SLSC have both had big years – Dunkley in particular after a horror summer in Port Stephens for out of hours incidents – while Chris Briggsfrom Pambula SLSC is a great example of the importance of quality personnel no matter where in NSW you are.
Moving back between the flags, the Patrol Captain of the Year is recognition of the leadership and lifesaving skills behind heading up a patrol at your club and helping to develop and upskill those patrolling with you.
Interestingly, the six times this title has been awarded have been split evenly between three branches – Far North Coast, Sydney Northern Beaches and Illawarra.
Michael Crandell from Byron Bay SLSC, Sophie Valentine from Avalon Beach SLSC, and Jayson Norrisfrom Windang SLSC are all in line to continue that trend, however two Patrol Captains with decades of experience in Brendan Guiney of Cape Hawke SLSC and North Avoca SLSC’s Jackie Sproll – the club’s first female Patrol Captain – are both strong contenders as well.
Cape Hawke is represented again among the Rescue of the Year finalists – one of 12 incredible stories of moments members made count to save the lives of those in trouble along our coastline.
Historically the category has no clear trend, though multi-club rescues have always fared favourably as a testament to interoperability and the collective effort of all clubs with the same goal.
Two nominations fit that bill in 2024 – the early-August rescue of four people stuck in a rip current after hours by North Curl Curl SLSC and South Curl Curl SLSC, a total of 16 members across the two clubs, and the January rescue of three young people in the notorious Warriewood blowhole by members of Warriewood SLSC and Mona Vale SLSC.
Saskia Rundle-Trowbridge, a teenager who performed her first rescue at the time, made national headlines and was celebrated for her actions in performing the rescue with her team.
2024 FINALISTS
Patrol Captain of the Year
Michael Crandell, Byron Bay SLSC
Tony Worton, Camden Haven SLSC
Brendan Guiney, Cape Hawke SLSC
Jackie Sproll, North Avoca SLSC
Sophie Valentine, Avalon Beach SLSC
Rebecca Mister, Coogee SLSC
Jayson Norris, Windang SLSC
Gary George, Gerringong SLSC
Support Operations Member of the Year
Gary Raso, Cudgen Headland SLSC
Mitch Dawson, Tacking Point SLSC
Glen Dunkley, Fingal Beach SLSC
Niko Milanovic, Terrigal SLSC
Ben Crabbe, Collaroy SLSC
Julie Pritchard, Bondi SBLSC
Anthony Turner, Thirroul SLSC
Chris Briggs, Pambula SLSC
Rescue of the Year
Manly
North Curl Curl / South Curl Curl
Wauchope Bonny Hills
South Curl Curl
Kiama
Australian Lifeguard Service – Tweed
Warriewood / Mona Vale
Australian Lifeguard Service – Northern Beaches
LNC Duty Officers / Cape Hawke Call Out Team
Shelly Beach
Elouera
Toowoon Bay
Wednesday 21 August 2024