News & Information

‘Remarkable Season’ in Lifesaving

 Wednesday 2 July 2008

Hailed as the Brownlow of lifesaving, the 2008 Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence were held over the weekend with some of the state’s best out in force. Celebrated at the picturesque Life Saving Victoria HQ on Sandridge Beach, the Awards recognise volunteers and athletes from across the state that should be acknowledged for their achievements and contribution to excellence in lifesaving in Victoria.

Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club dominated the individual awards with Harriett Brown and Simon Carlton taking out the Female and Male Life Saver of the Year Awards. A talented Carlton was also awarded the Junior Life Saver of the Year with the Junior Female going to Jemimah Lam from Mordialloc Life Saving Club.

Geoff Waters capped off Ocean Grove’s success by winning Coach of the Year. Waters’ great achievement as coach this season resulted in two gold medals at the Australian Championships, three gold medals at the State Championships and numerous firsts at carnivals both in Victoria  and interstate.

It was an impressive night for Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club which was crowned Club of the Year (Beaurepaire Shield) as well as earning Outstanding Achievement of the Year. The club was host to over 1000 nippers at this year’s Junior State Championships which was the biggest event of the season.

Participating in numerous areas across lifesaving activities in Victoria and having countless volunteer responsibilities, Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club’s Rebel Noter was a much deserving winner of Volunteer of the Year.

With a high standard of service and an active lead role in many major situations along the surf coast, Lifesaver of the Year was awarded to Andrew Doyle of Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club.

The most coveted award for the evening, the Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholar 2008, was won by the very dedicated Danielle Smith from Brighton Life Saving Club.

Life Saving Victoria’s President, Mike Martin said the Awards “…capped off what was a remarkable season in lifesaving and was a fantastic night to recognise Victoria’s dedicated individuals who contribute so much to lifesaving”.

Other awards announced on the night included;

• Team of the Year – Ocean Grove U19 R & R Team
• Competition Official of the Year – Peter van Deuren, Lorne SLSC
• Beach Lifeguard of the Year – Lachlan Holbery-Morgan, Anglesea SLSC
• Pool Lifeguard of the Year – Michael Zeman, YMCA – Dandenong Oasis
• Patrol Efficiency Club of the Year – Anglesea SLSC
• Club Training Officer of the Year – Michael Clancy – Chelsea Longbeach LSC
• Assessor of the Year – Geoff Thompstone – Jan Juc SLSC
• Administration Club of the Year – Bonbeach Life Saving Club
• Media Service to Lifesaving – Wes Hosking, Mordialloc-Chelsea Leader
• Surf Life Saving Australia President’s Medals – Keith Hodgson, Point Lonsdale SLSC and Geoff Waters, Ocean Grove SLSC
• International Life Saving Certificates of Merit – Michael Martin, Anglesea SLSC and Rebel Noter, Warrnambool SLSC

source: Surf Life Saving Victoria media release