For National Volunteers Week, (18-24 May 2026), Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) are proud to celebrate members of our community who devote their time to help our community thrive.

For Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club member Richard Angus, volunteering began as a way to join in with his daughter and be a part of her journey at the club. 

“It was really out of support for her that were my initial reasons for volunteering. I felt a bit awkward standing there when she was in the nippers program with my coffee and watching other volunteers running around, so I asked how I could be of help.” he said. 

Richard coordinates the barbecque, a role he saw as a practical way to contribute and take the pressure off the other volunteers at the club, allowing them to focus on the young people in the water and in their education and training.

“Freeing up the other volunteers to focus on the water and the children has been something I've been able to give to the club and the community here. So, they don't have to think about bread and sausages and mustard,” he said. 

Through volunteering, Richard now feels a deeper connection to the club and the other members. He believes one of the most important parts of volunteering has been witnessing the strengths and the dedication of other members, and the example they set for young lifesavers, but especially for his daughter.

Richard reflected on how members continue to get stuck in, regardless of the conditions, often spending long sessions in the cold water, while taking on roles that push them outside their comfort zone. He said it was impressive to see young members building confidence through practical and controlled challenges. For Richard, the experience has shown how surf lifesaving can help members develop resilience, confidence and a stronger sense of capability both on and off the beach.

“These young people are learning real skills. First aid, behaviour under stress, working as part of a team. Many, including my daughter, are considering careers in paramedicine, they enjoy it so much”.

What began as a way to support his daughter’s interests, Richard now sees the impact he can make for his community, and urges other people to get involved, even if they aren't too keen on getting in the water. 

“Ordering things, maintaining equipment, supporting with the wetsuit library or, first aid equipment or, supporting with training for driving boats, working on the social media, photography, interviewing people - there's all sorts of things and probably a million other things that I haven't thought of.”

His advice to anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer is to just put your hand up. 

“It's just making yourself known to someone and you'll be snapped up in a flash and given a task that you're comfortable with.”

While running the barbecque takes time, Richard says the return he gets from spending time in his community and with his daughter is worth much more.

“You feel good about it. You feel like you're contributing and being a part of something very healthy and positive for the entire community.”

“I wanted to contribute to the development of the children in the community… One sausage at a time!” he said.