Two Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) members have recently returned from Adelaide, where they attended the Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Leaders’ Masterclass at Adelaide University. 

Kingston Beach SLSC’s Marley Fitchett and Clifton Beach SLSC’s Nicole Davey were among the 24 members selected from across Australia for the leadership program. 

The program focuses on bringing together experienced volunteers to strengthen their leadership skills, share ideas and help shape the future of the Surf Life Saving movement. The masterclass presented an opportunity for personal development, but also a chance to bring new ideas, perspectives and learnings back to their own clubs and the broader SLST community. 

For Fitchett, the experience allowed her to think more strategically about her own club, not only currently, but in the future. 

“We spend so much of our time in clubs focused on what needs to happen this weekend, this season or at the next carnival.” 

“So to have the opportunity to really think about why we exist, where we want to go and how we’re going to get there was really valuable,” she said. 

Fitchett has now returned to Kingston Beach with a broader perspective and a mind full of new ideas on how she sees the club's evolution, whilst still holding onto the core values which make her club so special. 

“I’m really lucky to be on the Board at Kingston Beach SLSC, so that’s where I am most excited to put what I learnt into practice,” she said. 

“The Masterclass gave me lots of different ways to look at the club environment, from understanding the external challenges and opportunities around us, to thinking about what makes Surf Life Saving unique and how we can build on that.” 

Davey’s experience carried a similar thread of personal reflection, though she was surprised to discover how much of the discussion centred on wellbeing, for herself, their volunteers, their leaders and their community. It was this discussion that prompted her deepest reflection. 

“I loved that discussion. I loved how much wellbeing, as a topic, was discussed.” she said. 

Her main takeaway from the masterclass was also the focus of strategic planning and active listening.

“I am on the board of my own club, so strategic planning and active listening being used in discussions was very useful to me.” 

However, for both, there was an underlying tone of community and connection which seemed to stand out the most. The time to meet other volunteers from around the country and share ideas was a shared highlight. 

“It really changes the dynamics when you have time to bond, create experiences at dinners, and share ideas outside of classes.” Davey said. 

Fitchett agrees that the new relationships she fostered were a highlight of the masterclass. “The networking was probably my favourite part of the entire experience.” she said. 

“There is so much power in getting people from clubs all around Australia into one room and simply sharing ideas, challenges and experiences.” 

“Even in the couple weeks since the masterclass finished, our group chat is still going strong. We are asking questions, sharing resources and bouncing ideas off each other.” 

The opportunity has left the two feeling inspired and motivated to bring these positive learnings to their community and beyond. Feeling energised after the experience the two encourage everyone out there to apply. 

“Don’t second guess yourself and just apply!” Fitchett said. 

“It can be easy to look at an opportunity like this masterclass and wonder whether you have enough experience, whether you're the right kind of leader or whether you really belong in the room… Apply anyway!” 

“You absolutely deserve the opportunity to be there and you'll learn just as much from the people sitting beside you as you will from the program itself. I had the best time, I made some wonderful friends and came home genuinely excited about what I can bring back to my club.” she said. 

Davey shares the same encouragement for her wider community, believing it creates greater opportunity locally while also building a deeper connection with the national lifesaving movement she is so proud to be part of. 

“Every person I came across had left a huge impact on how I am going to serve my community in the coming years.” she said. 

“I kindly encourage everyone that is hoping to serve our community to put an application in and get to know everyone.”

We are incredibly proud of Marley and Nicole for representing Surf Life Saving Tasmania at this year’s National Leaders’ Masterclass, and can’t wait to see the ideas, energy and fresh strategic thinking they bring back to their clubs and our SLST community.