After the opening day of the State Conference at the Paranaple Convention Centre in Devonport, the Surf Life Saving Tasmania community came together to recognise leaders and high performers within the movement at the 2024 Awards of Excellence.

Representatives from across the state were welcomed by The Hon. Felix Ellis MP, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management and SLST President Stuart Paine.

In a popular announcement at the end of the night, Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club received the DHL Club of the Year Award. 

DHL Volunteer of the Year went to Kingston Beach’s Katarina Cubit while the Westpac Surf Lifesaver of the Year was won by Allison Kable.

After receiving their awards, the pair - who have had much to do with each other in recent years - spoke fondly of the respect they have for what each other continues to achieve in the movement.

“The amount she [Kat] has on her plate is amazing!” said Allison. “The amount you are still able to contribute what you do is phenomenal.”

Kat responded: “Allison, I’ll be honest - you’ve always been one of my idols. Always been one of the people I look up to; you’re always so positive and such a leader. If I can be like you I’ll be very happy.”

As someone who is heavily involved in many aspects of the movement from club through to state level, Allison found it humbling to be recognised with the Surf Lifesaver of the Year Award.

“I am proud,” she said. “Proud to be a part of the organisation. Look, you get as much out of it as what you give to other people as well so it’s really lovely to be acknowledged and it’s quite surprising as well.” 

Cate Clingeleffer was a big winner on the night taking out both the Youth Athlete and Athlete of the Year Awards. The Clifton Beach competitor excelled across both the U17 and Open age groups at State Championships before taking those performance to the national stage at Aussies.

It is the second year in a row she has taken out both awards.

“It’s always unexpected I feel [to win] because everyone - especially all the nominations - compete well all year-round,” said Cate. “So it was unexpected again, but I’m happy.”

Cate gave credit to her training partners at Clifton who provide a positive environment in which they can thrive.

“It’s so good - I feel like there’s a range of different ages but it doesn’t feel that way because the atmosphere that’s been created is really good,” she said. “It’s fun, everyone just takes the mickey out of each other - it’s really good.”

Clubmates Vanessa Copeland (Official of the Year) and Courtney Beswick (Coach of the Year) also picked up awards, with Courtney named top coach for the second straight year.

Jai Mollison (Burnie) was another back-to-back winner, taking out the Ampol Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year again. Burnie also picked up awards in the Trainer of the Year category for Geri Doherty while the RRiSK Surf Boat Crew were named Team of the Year.

The President’s Award went to Jesse Beveridge (Port Sorell) whose club also won the Isuzu Community Education Program of the Year for their ‘Meet Your Neighbours at the Beach’ initiative.

Kingston Beach SLSC finished with three Awards on the night after Ewan McIlwraith won U15 Athlete of the Year and Philippa Lohrey won Assessor of the Year.

The Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year Award was handed out at the Junior State Championships earlier this year, however Riley O’Connor (Clifton Beach) was recognised on the night.

2024 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Paranaple Convention Centre, Devonport
Saturday 17 August 2024

DHL Club of the Year - Bicheno SLSC
DHL Volunteer of the Year - Katarina Cubit (Kingston Beach SLSC)
Westpac Surf Lifesaver of the Year - Allison Kable (Penguin SLSC)
Ampol Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year - Jai Mollison (Burnie SLSC)
Isuzu Community Education Program of the Year - Meet Your Neighbours at the Beach (Port Sorell SLSC)
Marine Rescue, Outstanding Individual Achievement Award - Stephen Pink (Wynyard VMR)
Assessor of the Year - Philippa Lohrey (Kingston Beach SLSC)
Trainer of the Year - Geri Doherty (Burnie SLSC)
Athlete of the Year - Cate Clingeleffer (Clifton Beach SLSC)
Masters Athlete of the Year - Jamie Stubbs (Carlton Park SLSC)
Youth Athlete of the Year - Cate Clingeleffer (Clifton Beach SLSC)
U15 Athlete of the Year - Ewan McIlwraith (Kingston Beach SLSC)
Team of the Year - RRiSK Surf Boat Crew (Burnie SLSC)
Coach of the Year - Courtney Beswick (Clifton Beach SLSC)
Official of the Year - Vanessa Copeland (Clifton Beach SLSC)
President’s Award - Jesse Beveridge (Port Sorell SLSC)