Awards of Excellence

Members of the Surf Life Saving movement are more than just members of a club – they are part of their communities, guardians of their beaches, and guardians of the lives of those that wish to enjoy a day at one of our beautiful beaches. They are the young, and the young at heart, club legends and club secretaries, athletes and administrators.

The Surf Life Saving WA Awards of Excellence recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of our members in WA throughout the season, across a wide range of categories.

The winners of a selection of the award categories go on to represent Western Australia at the Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence in Sydney later in the year.

Learn more about the award winners for the 2017 Western Australian Awards of Excellence below.

President’s Medal

Awarded to: Dr. Ron Naylor

As a young surfer, Dr Naylor was instrumental in the formation of the WA Surf Riders Association, known today as Surfing WA. Following a serious car accident, Dr Naylor was advised he would never surf again, which lead him to Scarboro SLSC, where he dedicated decades of knowledge, care and service to not only his Club, but to SLSWA and the Surf Life Saving movement as a whole

Lifesaver of the Year

Awarded to: Adam Hoes (Mandurah SLSC)

Adam, who is only 25, has performed more than 1,800 patrol hours during the past 12 years he has been part of the Surf Life Saving movement.

Volunteer of the Year

Awarded to: Blair Walkington (Geraldton SLSC)

When Blair isn’t volunteering as a Patrol Captain, member of the emergency call out squad, trainer, assessor or Chair of Geraldton SLSC’s Strategic Planning Group, among various other roles, he is saving lives as a career firefighter!

Lavan Club of the Year

Awarded to: Coogee Beach SLSC

It was a petition to open a surf Club that gave Coogee Beach SLSC its roots back in 2001, with the Club formally affiliated with SLSWA in 2003.

Official of the Year

Awarded to: Carolyn Wilson (Secret Harbour SLSC)

Carolyn is integral to the running of surf sports carnivals in both WA and nationally. She was named SLSA Official of the Year in 2017, and the SLSWA back-to-back winner of the award for 2016 and 2017.

Assessor of the Year

Awarded to: Anne-Marie Widermanski (Mullaloo SLSC)

Anne-Marie has been involved with Surf Life Saving for more than 30 years, and was the 2016 SLSA Assessor of the Year, and the back-to-back winner of the SLSWA title for 2016 and 2017.

Open Athlete of the Year and Bernie Kelly Medallist

Awarded to: Jackson Symonds (Sorrento SLSC)

Jackson is an incredible athlete who not only represented his Club, but also the State Team (Western Suns) and the Australian Surf Life Saving Team in competitions throughout the 2016-17 season. He is also the back-to-back winner of the Open Athlete of the Year title for 2016 and 2017.

Youth Athlete of the Year

Awarded to: Charlie Rigby (Sorrento SLSC)

Charlie only joined the Surf Life Saving movement eight years ago after his family moved from England to Australia.

Coach of the Year

Awarded to: Jenny Plint (Sorrento SLSC)

Jenny is the name behind some of WA’s top beach athletes, with her athletes taking out 32 medals at the 2017 SunSmart WA Surf Life Saving Championships.

Administrator of the Year

Awarded to: Margaret Bond (Cottesloe SLSC)

Margaret was part of the first female squad in WA to receive their Bronze Medallion back in July 1980.

Trainer of the Year

Awarded to: Chris Kuster (Scarboro SLSC)

Chris began his time with the movement at Broome SLSC 26 years ago and is a dedicated member at a Club, State and National level.

Young Achiever of the Year

Awarded to: Sam Ranson (Floreat SLSC)

Sam got involved with his surf Club as a nine year old, as he had missed the registration for the junior cricket season!

Team of the Year

Awarded to: City of Perth Open Female Beach Relay: Holly Noack, Gabrielle Murphy, Brittany Houghton, Alysse Priddis (City of Perth SLSC)

The City of Perth Open Female Beach Relay team, coached by SLSWA Sporting Hall of Fame member Leigh Buchan, set off for the Aussies with a medal placing in their sights. In the lead up to the event, Brittany Houghton strained her hamstring – but not even that was enough to stop her from powering towards the finish line to secure the team a Bronze Medal at North Kirra Beach.

Support Operations Volunteer of the Year

Awarded to: Dave Thomson (Scarboro SLSC)

Dave completed 168 volunteer hours during the 2016/17 season in his Support Operations role, on top of his hours spent training the youth at his Club in general surf techniques.

Patrol Club of the Year

Awarded to: North Cottesloe SLSC

Members at North Cottesloe SLSC clocked up a huge 9,000 patrol hours during the 2016/17 season.