2023 Awards of Excellence

Surf Lifesavers from across the state gathered at the Paranaple Centre in Devonport on 19th August 2023.  

Here in Tasmania we have over 3000 members who are committed to saving lives and making a positive impact in their local community.  The Awards of Excellence are an important opportunity to recognise the hard work, selflessness and enthusiasm of our clubs, units and members across a range of categories including lifesaving services, community education, marine rescue, training, surf sport competition, coaching and officiating.

Our 2023 Award Winners:

DHL Club of the Year, Kingston Beach SLSC

ISUZU Patrol Club of the Year, Penguin SLSC

DHL Volunteer of the Year, Luke O'Garey, Burnie SLSC

Westpac Surf Lifesaver of the Year, Tiarna West, Penguin SLSC

Ampol Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year, Jai Mollison, Burnie SLSC

Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year, Annie Howard, Bridport SLSC

Marine Rescue of the Year, Freycinet VMR

Marine Rescue Outstanding Individual Contribution, Miranda Bird, Ulverstone VMR

Marine Rescue Youth Achievement Awards, Braydan Flannery, Ulverstone VMR

Trainer of the Year, Amber Loone, Devonport SLSC

Assessor of the Year, Riley Palmer, Carlton Park SLSC

Isuzu Community Education Programme of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion Program, Clifton Beach SLSC

Innovation Award, 'Discoverable Defibs', Kingston Beach SLSC 

Athlete of the Year, Cate Clingeleffer, Clifton Beach SLSC

Youth Athlete of the Year, Cate Clingeleffer, Clifton Beach SLSC

Team of the Year, Georgia Askew and Elsie Menzie, Burnie SLSC

Masters Athlete of the Year, Anna Sargent, Carlton Park SLSC

U15 Athlete of the Year, Gemma King, Burnie SLSC

Coach of the Year, Courtney Bewick, Clifton Beach SLSC

Official of the Year, Craig Mackinnon, Carlton Park SLSC

Hall of Fame, Julian Hickey, Carlton Park SLSC

President's Award, Andrew Fogarty and Adrian Petrie 

#SLSTAOE2023

The full list of 2023 Finalists

Watch the 2023 event on our YouTube Channel



Thank you to our event supporters:

Summary of Awards: 

Award

Summary 

Surf Lifesaver of the Year An active patrolling member who has made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of surf lifesaving frontline services.
Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year An active patrolling member under the age of 21 who has made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of surf lifesaving frontline services.
Volunteer of the Year An impressive member who has made a difference through their volunteering efforts.
Club of the Year An outstanding SLS-affiliated club that is committed to improving the experience of its members, providing a safer environment for the community, and improving club operations.
Patrol Club of the Year

An outstanding SLS-affiliated club that demonstrates the highest level of patrols through lifesaving service levels, development of its people, engagement with the community, demonstrated continuous improvement.

Athlete of the Year An athlete aged 15 or older who has achieved sporting excellence in Open Aged Competition.
Youth Athlete of the Year An athlete aged between 15-18 (this refers to the members age as at 30 September) who has achieved sporting excellence in Youth and/or Open Aged Competition.
Masters Athlete of the Year An athlete aged 30 years and over (this refers to their age at 30 September) who has achieved sporting excellence in Masters and/or Open Aged Competition.
U15 Athlete of the Year An athlete aged eligible to compete in the U15 age category (this refers to their age at 30 September) who has achieved sporting excellence in U15 competition.
Team of the Year The 37th edition of Surf Sport Manual defines a team as an event that is contested by more than one competitor from the same club or lifesaving unit who may either complete an event or race together as a discrete unit (e.g., boat race, IRB race, surf teams, R&R etc.) or separately (e.g., relay events, board rescue etc.).
Coach of the Year An accredited coach who has made a significant contribution to athlete performance at a state, national and/or international level, to the development of athletes in SLS activities outside of surf sports, and to the educational development of other coaches in SLS.
Official of the Year An accredited surf sports official who has made a significant contribution to both officiating at a state, national and/or international level, and to the educational development of other officials in SLS.
Trainer of the Year An endorsed Trainer who is passionate about building the skills of others, consistently delivers a positive learning experience, and who encourages other members to engage in the delivery of training.
Assessor of the Year An endorsed Assessor who is passionate about building the skills of others, consistently delivers a positive and supportive assessment experience, and who encourages other members to engage in training or assessment.
Community Education Program of the Year A SLS-delivered activity or program which has significantly contributed to the organisation’s mission of saving lives, creating great Australians and building better communities.
Innovation Award A well-researched concept, piece of equipment, program or event which is/has been implemented to improve any facet of Surf Life Saving.
Marine Rescue of the Year An outstanding rescue or activity demonstrating excellence in preparedness, response and safety at an incident by a crew or unit.
Marine Rescue Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution The Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution is presented to a volunteer who made an exemplary contribution to Marine Rescue in Tasmania during the year.
Marine Rescue Youth Achievement Award
This award recognises a stand-out volunteer under the age of 25 who has shown exceptional qualities and has made a remarkable contribution during the year.