Welcome to the August Edition
of the
Surf Life Saving Illawarra Newsletter
Peter Evert
President
Surf Life Saving Illawarra
A message from the President
Welcome to all members as we work alongside clubs finalising the preparations for opening of the 2024-25 season. We have all had an important off season working jointly on several key member strategies to enhance the across branch lifesaving operations.
The heightened activity started locally with the Club Workshop Day on the 7th July where our 17 clubs representatives were able to jointly brainstorm ideas to enhance their individual club capability to meet the requirements of our lifesaving service agreements. One important outcome was a renewed membership drive using a whole of branch Club Open Day strategy, that is to be widely advertised by the branch for the 14th September. Another key outcome was the requirement for an additional staff resource to assist volunteer club educators with the paperwork associated with the critical to operations education portfolio. The Branch Education Administration officer role interviews have concluded, and we look forward to an announcement shortly on the successful candidate, commencing tentatively at the branch office on the 2nd September.
This Club Workshop Day was followed closely by the SLSNSW Lifesaving Workshop at the end of July where 400 surf lifesavers from across the state were introduced amongst other topics, to the new SLSNSW Flexible Lifesaving Service Requirements initiative. This is an important strategy to assist clubs with member burnout and reducing patrol roster rigidity whilst continuing to deliver a quality patrolling service. Look for the general policy release to the membership from SLSNSW in the coming weeks.
Unfortunately, I need to advise of the resignation of our Surf Lifesaving Illawarra Deputy President Roy Wakelin- King AM recently. I thank Roy for his professional service to the SLSI board over the previous 2 seasons and I wish Roy all the best with his future endeavours. An EOI has been released by the office for a new Deputy President for those interested individuals. Please contact me directly if you wish to discuss any aspect of the role.
Finally, arrangements are underway for the season opener “Raising of the Flags” event on the 27 September, more information to be released shortly.
I wish you all the best for season 24-25 and I hope that I see you all back on the beach this season.
Yours in Surf-Lifesaving!
Peter
Peter Evert
President Surf Lifesaving Illawarra
Welcome back to our member's newsletter, the first of the 2024-2025 Surf Life Saving Illawarra (SLSI) season.
We trust that everyone had an enjoyable (yet cold and wet) winter and is ready to dive back into summer and everything our wonderful beaches and their Surf Lifesaving Clubs have to offer.
It's been a busy off-season for our members and their clubs with competitions being held in Pool Rescue and Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) championships taking place.
SLSI held our annual Awards of Excellence (AOE), which was attended by members and clubs across the Illawarra. Keep reading to see some photos from the night and find out which of our hard-working members and clubs were awarded on the night.
Remember now is the time to sign up for the 2024-2025 season, summer will be here before we know it! You can join here; www.slsillawarra.com.au
Our Illawarra clubs will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 14th of September from 10am-1pm, come along to find out about our nippers' programs, lifesaving and volunteering at our clubs! Please share the message amongst your communities. Our clubs need more patrolling members to continue keeping us safe on the beach!
SLSI is looking forward to another great season in Surf Lifesaving in the Illawarra.
Welcome to our new Director of Lifesaving (DoL)
SLSI's general election was held in May 2024 and Jackie Percy was appointed to the role of Director of Lifesaving (DoL) for SLSI.
Jackie has been a patrolling member of Bellambi SLSC for 18 years and is currently a Duty Officer for the Illawarra Branch. She has been a trainer and assessor with Surf Lifesaving for 10 years and has helped to train many members of her club and the Illawarra branch and last season won SLSNSW Trainer of the Year. Jackie has previously held the position of Club Captain and Chief Training Officer with her club and has vast experience in emergency management.
Jackie is passionate about lifesaving, education and protecting the community and is looking forward to bringing her experience to this role.
Many thanks to SLSI's outgoing DoL Gunther Enthaler for his time and dedication to the role and his continued support, as he supports Jackie in his role as Lifesaving Advisor.
SLSNSW Lifesaving Conference
On the 20th and 21st of July, Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) held their Annual Lifesaving Conference. Multiple members from Illawarra's 17 clubs attended, where they were presented with updates to enhance our lifesaving services and valuable lessons that we can take back to our clubs.
Thank you to our members who took time out of their weekends to attend and contribute to these important discussions.
Important Upcoming Lifesaving Training and Education
Rescue Water Craft (RWC) drivers, RWC Skills Maintenance and Pre-season Briefing on 31st of August 9am at Windang SLSC
SLSI Duty Officers Pre-Season Briefing on 31st of August 10am at Windang SLSC
Pre-season Lifesaving Meeting on 7th of September 12pm-2.30pm, location TBA for Club Captains and Vice Club Captains. An email with further details will be sent to Club Captains.
Download Beachsafe App!
Access the latest information about every Australian beach or find a beach near you including local conditions and lifesaving services. There’s also safety advice and information about flags, signs, rips, waves and more.
Surf Life Saving recommends swimming at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags.
Upcoming Branch Courses
First Aid
The next branch First Aid Course (HLTAID011) is being held at Surfhouse on the evening of Tuesday 3rd September and Thursday 5th September. First Aid is open to current financial members who are above the age of 14.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Amy at North Wollongong SLSC on amy@nwslsc.com.au
Important Upcoming Lifesaving Training and Education
Pre-Season Education Meeting on Saturday 7th September at 9am-12.30pm, location TBC for Chief Training Officers (CTOs), Trainers and Facilitators (TAFs) and Probationary TAFs.
Pool Rescue Championships
NSW Pool Rescue Championships
NSW Pool Rescue Championships were held on 13th June - 16th June at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Congratulations to members from North Wollongong SLSC and Bulli SLSC who were involved in the competition, some even coming away with medals!
Congratulations to these members from North Wollongong SLSC.
Sam Turbridy 3rd U/11 8m Line Throw, Addison McPherson 3rd U/11 8m Line Throw, Callum Ardita 2nd U/13 100m Obstacle Swim, Chloe Muir 3rd U/15 12.5m Line Throw.
Well done to these members from Bulli SLSC.
Heidi Morris 3rd U/12 50M Obstacle Race, 3rd U/12 50m Manikin Tow with Fins, 3rd U/12 50m Brick Carry, Taj Caldwell 2nd U/12 Male Line Throw, 2nd U/12 Male 50m Obstacle Race, 3rd U/12 50m Brick Carry
Aussie Pool Rescue Championships
The Australian Pool Rescue Championships were held on the 2nd August- 4th August on the Gold Coast. Bulli SLSC had multiple members compete, with a number of members lucky enough to come away with medals.
Lara Elliott, Aliza Woodford, Gemma Humphery & Imogen Walsh 1st U/14&15 4 x 25m Manikin Relay, Brayden Woodford 1st U/19 Male 100m Manikin Carry with Fins, 1st U/19 Male 50m Swim with Fins, 2nd U/19 Male 100m Manikin Tow with Fins, 3rd U/19 Male 100m Rescue Medley, 3rd U/19 Male 200m Obstacle Race, 3rd U/19 Male 200m Super Lifesaver. Gemma Humphery 1st U/14 Female 50m Manikin Carry, 1st U/14 Female 50m Swim with Fins, Lara Elliott & Aliza Woodford 2nd U15 Female Line Throw, Stephanie Staniforth & Lara Elliott 3rd U/17 Female Line Throw,
IRB Championships
NSW IRB Championships
Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Championships were held on the 5th July - 7th July at Cape Hawke SLSC. Well done to members and their teams who competed from our clubs in the Illawarra.
An amazing effort from Helensburgh Stanwell Park's IRB teams, coming away with the following medals
Marc, Guy, Lauren and Elliot 3rd Rookie Mass Rescue Team, Marc, Guy and Lauren 3rd Rookie Rescue Team.
The following members from Thirroul SLSC were lucky enough to come away with medals.
Max, Jaryd, Samara, Layla 1st U23 Male Mass Rescue, Andrew, Steve, Kayden 1st 45+ Male Rescue, Andrew, Steve, Bryson, Pete, Kayden, Layla 2nd 35+ Male Teams Rescue, Andrew, Steve, Jaryd, Samara 3rd 45+ Male Mass Rescue
Aussie IRB Championships
Australian IRB Championships were held on 18 July - 21 July at Miami Beach in QLD.
Thirroul SLSC had multiple members compete with the Open Male Teams Rescue coming away with 2nd place.
Congratulations to Jayden, Jaryd, Max, Kayden, Samara and Layla 2nd Open Male Teams Rescue.
We are looking for sponsors for our Interbranch Team for next season
Do you own a business or work for a business that would be interested in sponsoring a sports team?
We are looking for a sponsor for Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Interbranch Team who will be headed to Forster in November, to compete at the Interbranch championships.
Sponsorship of sports teams helps reduce the cost for competitors, making competition more accessible for all athletes.
Please get in touch with Ash by emailing office@slsillawarra.com.au or calling 0403 224 258 for more information.
Upcoming Surf Sports Events
Sydney Water Surf Series
The Sydney Water Surf Series returns for 2024!
This news simply wouldn’t have been possible without the continuing support of Sydney Water. Their generosity means the Series returns for its 24th edition and again gives lifesavers, young and old, the chance to battle it out in the surf and sand.
Thanks also to the ongoing support of Infront and Finz, all athletes will again have the opportunity of being rewarded with some great Series point score prizes.
The inclusion of the “double weekend” round allows Series athletes to be involved in other major Surf Sports events early in the season. It also provides another multi-day race experience which will assist. Series athletes given these formats are used for State and Aussies.
We hope that this information provides athletes with some motivation as they return to off-season training.
Circular and entry information will be released in August!
Surf Life Saving Illawarra Development Carnival
The Development Carnival is being held on Saturday the 7th of December at Towradgi SLSC.
This carnival is for juniors from U/8- U/14 and is a great local carnival for competitors to get involved in and get a taste for surf sports.
More information and circular to come!
Surf Life Saving Illawarra Branch Championships
The branch championships involve competition for juniors, from U/8 and seniors over two days.
This season's carnival will be held on Saturday 8 February and Sunday 9 February 2025. Location TBA.
Thirroul's Dean Mercer Dash
Thirroul's annual board paddle the Dean Mercer Dash will be held on Sunday 27 October. Event circular to come!
We need more officials to make our Surf Carnivals a success!!
Being an official is a valuable way to give back to your community and make a positive contribution to local athletes.
If you are interest in becoming an official, we are holding a course for new officials on Saturday 21 September and Sunday 22 September, 10:30am-2:30pm (lunch provided and you only have to attend one day.
If you are interested in attending, please visit our website www.slsillawarra.com.au for further information and complete the following form to register your attendance forms.office.com or contact Ash at office@slsillawarra.com.au for assistance.
BluescopeWIN Community Partners Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Awards of Excellence
Our Awards of Excellence were held on Friday the 14th of June at Wollongong City Function Centre. It was a great night celebrating the hard work of our members and clubs during the 2023-24 Surf Lifesaving season. Thank you to all our attendees for a wonderful evening.
Congratulations to all our nominees in all our award categories across Surf Sports, Education, Member Services and Lifesaving.
You can enjoy more photos from the night on our facebook page; www.facebook.com
Some of our members and clubs are nominated for awards at the Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence, which are being held this weekend. All the best to those nominated from the Illawarra!
Surf Life Saving Illawarra New Director of Administration
SLSI would like to welcome Mija Crashnich to the position of Director of Administration on the Surf Life Saving Illawarra Board. Mija has a background in business, CX and client relationships and is passionate about adding value to the community. In her spare time you will find her ocean swimming, bush walking, reading and spending time with her family. Mija is a current patrolling member at North Wollongong SLSC.
Mija is hoping to use her skills to add value to the board of Surf Life Saving Illawarra.
The SLSI board would like to thank Steven McDonald for his time in the role of Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Director of Administration for the past two years.
Surf Life Saving Illawarra EOIs for Office
Expressions of interest are currently open for SLSI's Deputy President and SLSI's Director of Finance.
Please find further information in regard to the position and how to express your interest at the following link; static1.squarespace.com
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NEWSLETTERS
Does your club have any news, training dates or just anything you would like to share. Send it through to the SLSI branch office and we will put it in the newsletter.
