An exceptional year celebrated at Surf Life Saving WA’s annual awards

Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) capped off another successful year as they recognised the efforts of their members at the annual Awards of Excellence at Crown Perth on Saturday night.

With more than 520 attendees representing WA’s 31 surf life saving clubs, corporate and government partners, and guests, SLSWA President Craig Smith-Gander paid tribute to the more than 23,700 members who dedicate their weekends and holidays to the movement.

“These people are the everyday heroes of our beaches, all of whom commit countless hours of service to uphold our mission of saving lives and building great communities,” said Mr Smith-Gander.

“Tonight, is about celebrating the volunteers who are the lifeblood of this great movement.”

Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) had an outstanding evening, taking out seven of the top gongs, including the coveted Lavan Club of the Year title, along with a cheque for $10,000.

Three of Trigg Island’s wins were thanks to star athlete Will Savage who was named Youth Athlete of the Year, Bernie Kelly Medallist and was one half of the duo named Surf Sports Team of the Year with fellow club mate Patrick Eley.

Will proved he is a force to be reckoned with. His 19 medals at the SunSmart WA Surf Life Saving Championships in March, including 14 gold, secured him the Bernie Kelly Medal for top athlete of the Championships. His Youth Athlete of the Year title came courtesy of an outstanding season that saw him named WA Ironman Series Open Champion, SunSmart WA Surf League Open Champion, selected in the Western Suns state representative team, and an eighth-place finish in the inaugural Nutri-Grain Next Gen Ironman Series for under 19 athletes, held in Queensland in February.

Fremantle SLSC took out two major awards, including Patrol Club of the Year for the second time in three years, while member Jay Morgan who stepped up to fill the Club Captain role at Fremantle, took out the prestigious Lifesaver of the Year award.

Regionally, Albany SLSC was a standout with two awards. Member Byron Bird was recognised as the Support Operations Volunteer of the Year as a key member of the local Wesfarmers Emergency Response Jet Ski Team, involved in a number of emergency response missions; and Jeff Medcalf, who was awarded Assessor of the Year for his impressive leadership of the club’s education team.

The winners of the following awards will go on to represent WA at the Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence later this year: Community Program, Official, Coach, Athlete, Trainer, Assessor, Youth Lifesaver, Lifesaver, Volunteer and Lavan Club of the Year.

Read about the winners here.

See the photos here.

View the full list of winners below.