Richard Elderfield

Appointed to the SLSWA Board in September 2023, Richard has been an active and dedicated surf lifesaving volunteer since 2009. In this time, he has earnt a reputation as a versatile and skilled leader; developing qualifications and experience across the full spectrum of surf lifesaving activities. As an active trainer, assessor, member of the Emergency Response Team, Development Ski Coach and surf sports competitor, Richard has a strong understanding of the rich diversity to the movement and is deeply committed to continuing to provide the community with contemporary, capable and sustainable surf lifesaving services.

Richard and his family are active members of Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club. Together with his daughters he proudly represents the club as a surf ski paddler, developing board paddler, and between injuries as a beach competitor in Masters and occasionally Open competition.

Beyond surf lifesaving, Richard has considerable senior leadership experience delivering vital operational and technology services in large and complex organisations. Following more than 16 years’ service as an Australian Army Officer, he went on to lead commercial businesses servicing the resources, government, commercial and construction sectors with mission-critical telecommunications capabilities. More recently he has applied his broad skills as a senior public servant in the Western Australian State Government, and in the delivery of transformative technology projects in the utilities sector.