Tasmania was represented on the national stage earlier this year, with Murphy Knowles of Clifton Beach Surf Life Saving Club helping develop leadership skills in members from across the surf lifesaving movement at the 2026 National Leadership College (NLC).

Knowles travelled to Sydney in February to serve as a facilitator for the prestigious leadership development program delivered by Surf Life Saving Australia, supporting young surf lifesavers from across the country as they explored leadership, personal growth and the future of the organisation.

The program brought together participants aged 20–30 from Surf Life Saving across Australia, alongside international representatives including members from Surf Life Saving New Zealand and delegates from Japan Lifesaving Association. The week-long program is designed to challenge participants intellectually, socially and emotionally while strengthening leadership capability across the movement.

For Knowles, the new challenge was one he relished as he proudly represented his State and Club. 

“This was my first time as a Facilitator at Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Leadership College,” Knowles said.

“While it was my first role at NLC, it built on my experience mentoring and developing others through state programs and committees, my involvement in Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s bp Leaders for Life program across 2024 and 2025, and my professional work as a paramedic working in dynamic team environments.

“It was a privilege to support such a strong group of participants who were genuinely committed to their own development and to the future of Surf Life Saving.”

As a facilitator, Knowles supported participants as they explored their leadership styles and developed a deeper understanding of how their values, behaviours and experiences shape the way they lead.

“My role focused on supporting participants as they developed a deeper understanding of themselves and how they show up as leaders,” he said.

“We explored values, motivations, and how lived experiences shape the way people interact with others. A strong emphasis was placed on self-awareness, emotional regulation and social awareness, and how these influence relationships, team culture, managing conflict and leadership effectiveness.

“A key message throughout was that people do not experience your intent; they experience your behaviour and how it makes them feel,” Knowles said.

Through workshops, discussions and leadership challenges, participants were encouraged to reflect on their assumptions and consider the broader surf lifesaving movement beyond their own clubs and states.

“Bringing together motivated people with diverse personalities naturally created challenge and growth, and supporting participant wellbeing through that process was an important part of the role,” Knowles said.

Knowles said working alongside the next generation of leaders from across the country was one of the most rewarding parts of the program.

“It was inspiring and genuinely rewarding. The participants brought strong energy, curiosity and a real willingness to learn from one another.

“The diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives created meaningful conversations and helped challenge thinking across the program.”

He said the collaborative environment highlighted a key leadership lesson shared among the group.

"There is no single right way to lead, but there is a shared responsibility to lead with awareness, empathy and integrity.”

Programs like the National Leadership College play an important role in building leadership capability across the surf lifesaving movement.

“It reinforces the importance of self-leadership as the foundation for leading others.

“The program gives participants the space and support to build self-awareness, understand what drives their behaviour and learn from the experiences of others,” he said. 

“While the program is grounded in Surf Life Saving, the skills and insights gained extend well beyond the organisation, strengthening individuals, teams and the broader movement.”

To find out more about the National Leadership College 2026 - visit https://sls.com.au/young-surf-lifesavers-unite-in-sydney-for-slsas-2026-nlc/