Monday 8 July, 2019.
The Surf Lifesaving movement is a treasured institution in Australia, largely due to the values it promotes and the service it provides to communities.
Central Coast Surf Life Saving CEO Narelle Duggan described those values as: “team work, selflessness, comradery, dedication and community spirit.”
Each year in Surf Life Saving branches from the Central Coast to the Queensland border, a male and female Newcastle Permanent Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year is chosen for their outstanding service and commitment to those values.
On the Central Coast, Umina Beach Surf Life Saving Club member Ebony Rayner and Terrigal Beach SLSC member Jayden Redfern, aged 14 and 13 respectively, were named Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesavers of the Year for 2019.
Mrs Duggan said Ebony and Jayden were outstanding club members.
“The Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesaver of the Year is awarded to a junior male and female member for outstanding services, based on contribution to their surf club and the local community, attitude and sportsmanship, as well as knowledge, attendance and involvement in surf lifesaving activities,” she said.
The full list of award winners is:
- Central Coast: Ebony Rayner, Umina Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
- Central Coast: Jayden Redfern, Terrigal Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
- Hunter: Charlotte Dobson, Catherine Hill Bay Surf Lifesaving Club
- Hunter: Oscar Roberts, Stockton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
- Lower North Coast: Olivia Williams, Forster Surf Lifesaving Club
- Lower North Coast: Brady Cross, Black Head Surf Lifesaving Club
- Mid North Coast: Tahj Thrower, Tacking Point Surf Lifesaving Club
- Mid North Coast: Georgia Gaddes, South West Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club
- North Coast: Lily Betland, Coffs Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club
- North Coast: Ainsley Dalton, Woolgoolga Surf Lifesaving Club
- Far North Coast: Sven Loemker, Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club
- Far North Coast: Mikala Campbell, Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club
Rhonda Scruton, CEO Hunter Surf Lifesaving branch said the awards highlight the dedication and commitment of junior surf lifesavers.
“These young members invest much of their own time to learn new skills and knowledge, to educate younger members and help keep our beaches safe. They exhibit the qualities of future leaders not only in Surf Lifesaving but in our communities,” she said.
“The Junior Surf Life Savers of the Year are testament to their clubs, communities and families and this award opens doors to mix with winners in other SLS branches within NSW, where lifelong friendships are formed and careers are shaped.”
Newcastle Permanent CEO Bernadette Inglis said the organisation had a long association with Surf Life Saving, which started in the Hunter 36 years ago. Since then, Newcastle Permanent has sponsored the Central Coast branch for the past 16 years and SLS branches from the Mid North Coast to the Far North Coast of NSW for the past decade, investing about $300,000 a year in total.
“Our support for Surf Life Saving extends from the Central Coast to the Queensland boarder, helping surf lifesaving branches and clubs to purchase essential safety equipment, perform volunteer patrols, and provide training and leadership programs to nurture the life savers of tomorrow,” Ms Inglis said.
“Volunteer surf life savers help keep our beaches safe throughout summer and we thank them for the service they provide to our community.”
Ms Inglis said investing in communities through initiatives such as the Junior Surf Life Saver of the Year Awards was one of the ways Newcastle Permanent gives back to the community.
“We’re exceptionally proud of our relationship with Surf Life Saving, and all the people within the branches and clubs we support, and congratulate them all for their achievements and service.”
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