Janelle Kingston is a highly respected member of the Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club, who took home the Volunteer of the Year award at the 2025 Awards of Excellence. 

Janelle has been in the life saving community since her kids joined Nippers 11 years ago. After recognising there were opportunities to get involved, she jumped at the chance. 

“I wanted to ensure the club and its Nippers program continued to thrive, but most importantly was sustainable, not just for my kids, but for all those to come. 

“I started by simply helping get the BBQ set up each Sunday morning, then the more I got involved, the more I was inspired by so many great people around me who showed me there were other things I was capable of doing, not just within the junior program, but in other areas of the club: water safety, age managing, carnival coordinating, patrolling, but also in the background with the club's committee and administration,” she said. 

When asked about the part of volunteering she enjoys the most, Janelle mentioned the most rewarding part of being involved is knowing that what she does has a huge and wide reaching impact on many people. 

“I have the privilege to be part of someone's journey, having a front row seat to watch their growth, achieve their goals, and to share in their successes is something that really drives me to continue. 

“To experience the joy and excitement when a child dives under a wave for the first time, completes a board course for the first time without falling off, steps onto the podium for the first, 5th or 10th time, and proudly put on their red and yellow uniform, knowing I helped them achieve that, it is nearly indescribable, but it does make me feel very proud and privileged,” she said.

With a terrific season under her belt, Janelle’s focus for the 2025/26 season will be mentoring a new group of people who are taking on the organisation of the junior activities program at Kingston Beach SLSC.

“This group has so much energy and enthusiasm and I am excited to see what they will achieve in the years to come. This new support is allowing me to explore new areas and contribute in different ways, but I am most excited about taking this year's Under 14 Nippers on a pathway and growth journey. They will all be working towards obtaining their Surf Rescue Certificate and starting their first patrols, but it is important for them to understand where SLS can take them and what is available to them post Nippers.”

Janelle said it feels truly humbling to be recognised by SLST for Volunteer of the Year. 

“In a large volunteer organisation such as ours, there are so many people within our organisation that do amazing things, so to receive this award is pretty special.”

Janelle is now nominated for the Volunteer of the Year at the SLSA Awards of Excellence on Saturday 1 November.