SLSA Awards of Excellence Wrap – 4 November 2017

Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club’s Carolyn Wilson was awarded Surf Life Saving Australia’s Official of the Year title at the annual Awards of Excellence over the weekend.

Surf Life Saving’s most distinguished, heroic and dedicated gathered for the 2017 awards ceremony, held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Saturday night, where individuals were recognised across multiple categories including Lifesaver of the Year, Club of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year.

Carolyn was recognised for her role as an outstanding ambassador for surf life saving and officiating at all levels, having mentored up and coming officials at over 12 carnivals over the past season; held officiating positions at a club, state and national level; as well as being back-to-back winner of SLSWA’s Official of the Year title.

Surf Life Saving WA would like to congratulate the following Meritorious Award winners, recognised by Surf Life Saving Australia for their outstanding deeds of bravery performed during lifesaving operations.

Steve & Sam Carroll, Floreat Surf Life Saving Club

On the 15th of April 2017, father and son Steve and Sam Carroll, put their own lives at risk to perform the rescue of a woman off Gnaraloo Bay. The woman had drifted in a dingy 700 metres offshore. Panicked she had abandoned the dingy and was exhausted and in distress far from shore. Steve and Sam responded and together they were able to reach the woman and provide reassurance, before towing her back to the safety of shore.

Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club

It was at 7am on the 6th of November, on the first abalone patrol of the season when Sorrento SLSC members identified that a man was drifting face down in the water. A SLS Jet Ski was first responder on scene, he was quickly joined by an IRB team who managed to get the fisherman on board despite huge swells. CPR was commenced immediately, continuing unceasingly until the patient was on shore and in the care of an ambulance. Sadly, the man passed away in hospital three days later.

Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club

A busy beach and hazardous conditions faced patrol members on Mullaloo Beach on the 25th of December 2016. Members were alerted to a man retrieved from the surf with suspected spinal injuries. Upon arrival the team assessed the man whilst the ambulance arrived. Their treatment was specifically focused on neutral spinal alignment and peripheral checks. The call was made to administer ‘green stick’ medication. The team’s swift action and knowledge aided the man’s short and long-term prognosis.

Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club

Secret Harbour SLSC’s team were conducting a routine abalone patrol on the 6th of November 2016 in challenging conditions, with strong winds and large amounts of seaweed. There was a large volume of fishermen concentrated on the reef, when the team identified and attended to two fisherman who had been washed into the surging swell. The team acted bravely in rescuing both fishermen, returning them to safety.

We would also like to congratulate all of the SLSWA finalists, who work tirelessly to improve the Surf Life Saving movement and are priceless members of our community.