Surf Life Saving SA congratulates all award winners honoured at the 2025 Awards of Excellence.
Their incredible contributions, commitment and passion this season across a wide range of areas epitomise the core values and mission of Surf Life Saving. We look forward to continuing this valuable work in 2025/26.
Club of the Year – West Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Finalists: Aldinga Bay SLSC, Glenelg SLSC, Semaphore SLSC, South Port SLSC
West Beach Surf Life Saving Club have made great strides this season in strengthening their culture, empowering their members, and deepening their role in the wider community.
With a vibrant membership of over 820, including 35% active patrolling members and a rapidly growing junior cohort, the club has demonstrated exceptional growth and engagement. Programs like the revitalised Westies Crew have created exciting pathways for young members, leading to a remarkable 93% retention rate of Under 13s over the past 12 months.
Investment in volunteers has remained a priority for West Beach, with patrolling members, coaches, officials, trainers, age group managers, athletes and other volunteers being supported through leadership programs, mentoring, funding, and improved access to resources and equipment.
West Beach led the state in lifesaving education, delivering 144 new qualifications, including 53 Bronze Medallions. They also developed targeted internal training in spinal injury management and major bleed control to better suit their evolving coastal conditions, ensuring readiness and expertise in patrol operations.
Inclusivity is at the heart of West Beach’s culture. The club raised $105,000 for cancer charities through events like the Pink & Blue swim, delivered water safety initiatives to CALD and migrant groups, appointed a First Nations coordinator to foster deeper cultural engagement, hosted the Murray Bridge ‘Rippers’ for their first beach day, and held several local beach safety days.
Sport participation remained strong across all age groups and disciplines, culminating in West Beach winning the Masters State Championship and Pool Rescue State Championships, AND being named Overall State Champion Club for season 2024/25.
Overall, West Beach is more than a surf club – it’s a home, a community hub and a symbol of what’s possible when values drive action.
Surf Life Saver of the Year – Derek Bawden (Seacliff SLSC)
Finalists: Damion Burrage (Goolwa SLSC), Daniel Scadden (Aldinga Bay SLSC), Joshua Warne (Glenelg SLSC), Cassie Wilmot (Goolwa SLSC)
With over 286 patrol hours logged this season, Derek Bawden is a highly dedicated and versatile surf lifesaver whose impact has been felt across multiple clubs and state services.
At Seacliff SLSC, he served as Vice Captain, mentoring new patrol captains and taking on essential operational tasks including training, equipment maintenance, and event logistics. Behind the scenes, he remains a workhorse - refuelling IRBs, fixing radios, towing trailers, and supporting carnivals to ensure others can perform frontline duties with confidence. In response to dwindling patrol numbers, Derek also joined Goolwa as a dual member, stepping into Patrol Captain and Vice Captain roles to provide critical leadership and ensure service coverage.
Derek is also second in charge of the state RWC service and holds the role of Maintenance Officer, overseeing statewide fuel logistics, repairs, and general coordination to ensure statewide operational readiness. He has attended critical incidents and after-hours callouts this season, operating at a high standard in dynamic and, at times, high-pressure situations.
A respected trainer, Derek delivered multiple Bronze Medallion courses and an IRB Crew course this season, consistently demonstrating patience, technical skill, and a passion for surf lifesaving.
Derek was also the only South Australian lifesaver deployed interstate as a Swift Water Rescue Technician during the NSW flood emergency following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. He spent a full week of 12-hour-long days assisting with evacuations, community welfare checks, emergency support and on-water operations. His dedication and willingness to assist during such a critical time are admirable, and he has brought great credit upon himself and our state organisation.
Derek is a true embodiment of what it means to be a surf lifesaver: skilled, generous with his time, humble in service, and deeply committed to saving lives and supporting others.
Volunteer of the Year – Abby Thomas (West Beach SLSC)
Finalists: Craig Brown (Somerton SLSC), Tiffany Scadden (Aldinga Bay SLSC), Anthony Merchant (Glenelg SLSC), Aaron Oliver (South Port SLSC)
Abby’s contribution to West Beach SLSC this past season has been exceptional. A dedicated member since the age of five and an age manager from just 14, Abby has grown into a passionate leader, educator, and mentor.
As Youth Coordinator, Abby successfully revitalised the “Westies Crew” youth program by fostering stronger connections with members and families. Through proactive communication, she established a youth committee and delivered a range of initiatives, including training days, social events, a youth camp, and a ‘come and try’ day, all resulting in increased member retention and new recruitments. Her strong rapport with parents also helped drive one of the club’s largest Bronze training cohorts of nipper parents.
In the education space, Abby serves as the club’s Education Admin Officer and a qualified trainer in ARTC, SRC, Resuscitation and Bronze Medallion. She helped coordinate over 120 awards and 200 proficiencies this season alone, while also training multiple groups, including culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) participants.
Abby has contributed extensively to club activities, officiating at multiple carnivals, coordinating youth attendance at the Anzac Day ceremony, and supporting major community events like the Pink & Blue swim.
Abby’s patrol service is exemplary, logging over 656 total hours, including over 80 hours this season. As a newly appointed Futures Board member, Abby now also contributes at a strategic state level, influencing the direction of surf lifesaving in South Australia.
Overall, her impact has been deeply felt across all levels of the club, making her a standout volunteer in Surf Life Saving.
Youth Surf Life Saver Of The Year – Lachlan Larven (Glenelg SLSC)
Finalists: Kristi Bedford (Aldinga Bay SLSC), Jai Gardner (Henley SLSC), Sam Ralph (Glenelg SLSC), Lachlan Larven (Glenelg SLSC), Lillian Woodroffe (Brighton SLSC)
A proud member of his club and the Emergency Operations Group, Lachie brings commitment, initiative, and drive to everything he does on and off the water.
This season alone, he has contributed over 300 patrol hours. At club level, Lachie serves as a patrolling member, U19 Club Caption and Radio Officer. He also always strives to mentor younger members and frequently hosts club team-bonding sessions.
Within the EOG, he is a dedicated SurfCom Operator and Jet Rescue Boat crew member. Always seeking growth, he has also undertaken shadow shifts with duty officers.
Showing maturity beyond his years, Lachie has been involved in multiple search and rescue activities, demonstrating great composure and efficiency under pressure. Within a week of gaining his JRB crew qualification in December, he assisted with two rescues needing ambulance assistance, as well as a search at Glenelg. He was also heavily involved in a major rescue at the West Beach Boat Ramp in January where the patient had to be winched by helicopter from the breakwater.
Lachie is always ready, always willing, and always making an impact. Without a doubt, he will be a future leader in lifesaving.
Young Member Of The Year – Lachlan Macgregor (Glenelg SLSC)
Finalists: Piper Cruickshank (Christies Beach SLSC), Jed Down (Seacliff SLSC), Rose Fry (Beachport SLSC), Brooke Gowland (Goolwa SLSC)
Lachlan has been part of the surf life saving family since he could walk. After graduating from Nippers, he immediately gave back by becoming an age group manager and assistant in the junior program, where his enthusiasm, leadership, and kind nature have made him a favourite among both the kids and his fellow AGMs.
Beyond this, Lachlan is a true all-rounder. He regularly volunteers for extra water cover, runs board training for younger members, works in the club kitchen, and continues to compete and patrol - clocking up nearly 100 hours this season alone.
Last season, Lachlan displayed great initiative through producing a series of high-quality Nipper Instructional Videos to help new families better understand what Nippers and surf life saving is all about. He led the entire project himself, from scriptwriting, sourcing actors and filming, to editing and approvals. These videos are now essential tools shared with all new families at Glenelg.
Youth Athlete Of The Year - Elsie Parsons (Glenelg SLSC)
Finalists: Harrison Carberry (West Beach SLSC), Macklin Harvey (South Port SLSC), Lachlan Washington (West Beach SLSC)
Elsie Parsons is a true champion both on the sand and within the community. This season, the well-known beachie continued her outstanding form at state and national level, notably claiming her third consecutive Aussies gold medal in the Female Beach Sprints.
At the Senior State Championships, Elsie added to her impressive record with three golds, a silver, and a bronze. She also played a key role in the SA Interstates Pathways Team, bringing home gold in the U15 Beach Sprints and silver in the U15 Mixed Beach Relay.
But what truly sets Elsie apart is her humility, encouragement and genuine care for others. She’s often seen supporting younger nippers, patrolling, working at the club and even helping with weekly meat raffles, all with her signature bright and bubbly energy.
Elsie proves that true greatness isn’t just about medals - it’s about character. She lifts others up, stays grounded, and embodies the heart of Glenelg.
Trainer Of The Year – John Stewart (Somerton SLSC)
Finalists: Cacilia Ewenz (Moana SLSC), Robert Tanner (Brighton SLSC), Kirstin Tocker (Glenelg SLSC)
John is the Chief Instructor and primary Training Officer at Somerton Surf Life Saving Club, where he also serves as a Patrol Captain and committed surf boat rower. A passionate and proud surf lifesaver, John is widely respected for his approachable manner and unwavering dedication to member development. He plays a crucial role in welcoming new members, guiding them through their awards, and motivating existing members to advance their skills.
This season, John’s leadership drove a 20% increase in new awards obtained at the club. He conducted extensive skills maintenance and proficiencies across multiple weekends, and refined the Bronze Medallion program with a more efficient format that maintained high standards. He also devoted over 100 hours to patrols and has been pivotal in transitioning SRC graduates into active youth patrolling members and Bronze Medallion holders.
John’s impact resonates throughout the club. He creates safe, engaging learning environments and inspires confidence. Thanks to his efforts, Somerton has more qualified members, a stronger patrol capability, and a safer beach for the entire community.
Assessor Of The Year - Andrew Bedford (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Finalists: Hayley Hosking (Seacliff SLSC), Richard Nurmi (Christies Beach SLSC), Ray Nussio (Somerton SLSC)
Andy is a pillar of Surf Life Saving, with over 30 years of continuous service in training and assessing. As Club Captain of Aldinga Bay SLSC, he leads by example while playing a vital role in developing lifesavers across South Australia.
Andy is qualified and actively engaged in training, assessing, and facilitating across the full range of surf lifesaving awards, including SRC, Bronze Medallion, ART, IRB, Jet Boat, and RWC. He also serves as a Coach Assessor and Duty Officer, regularly responding to incidents and assisting with assessments across multiple clubs, often filling gaps where local assessors are unavailable.
He also contributes to national training by helping rewrite key manuals, including the updated IRB training resource.
Andy’s work ensures clubs remain operational, members stay qualified, and communities stay safe. His dedication, mentorship, and high standards have shaped the lifesaving landscape - creating stronger, more capable patrols across the state.
Mandi and Kristi Bedford on behalf of Andy Bedford
Community Education Program Of The Year - SameWave (Port Elliot SLSC)
Finalists: Diversity and Inclusion Festival (North Haven SLSC), On the Same Wave (West Beach SLSC), Seahorses (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
SameWave is a weekly program run by dedicated members of Port Elliot, providing people living with disabilities the opportunities to experience, learn, and enjoy surf lifesaving. Running from October to April, sessions are held primarily at Horseshoe Bay, with visits to other nearby beaches. Activities are tailored to participants’ interests and abilities, and include snorkelling, paddling, boogie boarding, stand-up, paddle boarding, swimming, rescues, first aid, and surf safety.
This year, participants were also given the opportunity to learn, practice and be assessed on their ability to perform surf lifesaving skills, including board and tube rescues, basic first aid, emergency response procedures and signals. All who completed the assessment proudly received certificates recognising their achievements.
SameWave continues to transform lives, empowering participants to build self-belief and confidence, form friendships, and gain critical lifesaving skills. The program fosters a culture of true inclusion, where everyone is given the opportunity to enjoy our coastline safely.
Innovation Of The Year - Quick Release Tie Down Mechanism (Goolwa SLSC)
Finalists: 7Brighton Jetty Classic Environmental Decisions (Brighton SLSC), New Nipper Instructional Videos (Glenelg SLSC), IRB Hull Racking System (Somerton SLSC)
The Quick Release system was born from a need for faster, safer access to rescue boards on ATVs. In 2018, during a rescue at Goolwa where boards were tied down with multiple knots, rescuers experienced unnecessary stress and delay.
Recognising the risk, Matt and Damion Burrage began researching how clubs, locally and interstate, secured their equipment and discovered no consistent or safe standard. Traditional methods were not only time-consuming but also prone to failure in emergencies and contributed to equipment damage.
Over six patrol seasons, and in collaboration with Goolwa SLSC members, the Burrages developed a simple, cost-effective solution: a one-handed, quick-release system that eliminates knots, worn straps, and metal clips. The breakthrough came from exploring sailing hardware, ultimately leading to the use of an Olive shockcord clet - adaptable to any vehicle, affordable and strong enough to withstand high speeds and winds.
Now in use on Goolwa’s two rescue boards and spinal board, the system has significantly reduced response times. After a double rescue in March this year, members commended the efficiency of the new system.
Athlete Of The Year – Liana Channon (Grange SLSC)
Finalists: Amy Buck (Grange SLSC), Tom May (Seacliff SLSC), Eliza Zampatti (Semaphore SLSC)
Liana had a phenomenal season, cementing her reputation as one of South Australia’s leading beach athletes. Representing the SA Reds, the victorious Infront SA Surf League Helistar Hurricanes, and Grange SLSC, Liana consistently delivered podium performances across state, national, and interstate competitions.
Highlights include silver in the Open Female Flags at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, several gold and silver medals at the Interstate Championships, and multiple gold medals at the SA State Championships in flags, sprints, and relays.
Outside of competition, Liana is a passionate coach and mentor. She runs sessions for juniors, assists at nippers, and leads youth development training with a focus on flags and sprint technique. Her approachable, encouraging style and commitment to sharing her knowledge have made her a valued role model across all age groups.
Overall, Liana consistently demonstrates great sportsmanship - always encouraging her peers, showing respect to officials and athletes, and leading by example both in and out of competition.
Charles Sheffield (coach) on behalf of Liana Channon
Surf Sport Team Of The Year – Taj Ward and Fletcher Luscombe Open Line Throw (Seacliff SLSC)
Finalists: The Brighton Jellyfish R&R Team, The Chiton Rocks Crusty Critters Surf Boat Crew, The West Beach U19 Double Ski Team
Taj and Fletch’s performances in the Open Line Throw represent the highest level of sporting achievement ever seen in this event in South Australia, and arguably the finest display of technical teamwork in the sport globally.
On July 5th 2024 at the Pool Rescue State Titles, the duo shattered their own world record by clocking an incredible 8.69 seconds and setting a new global benchmark. Everyone will remember the incredible hype surrounding this moment and the publicity that followed, with their viral record-breaking video receiving MILLIONS of views across social media and mainstream media. This went far in raising the global profile of the sport, even though the US often labelled it as ‘human fishing’.
They continued creating South Australian history, reaching the pinnacle by claiming gold at state, national and international level. 2024 marked their first ILS World Championships gold medal, and their fourth consecutive national title at the Australian Pool Rescue Championships.
Off the podium, they are passionate ambassadors for the sport - mentoring athletes across all age groups, boosting Pool Rescue participation, and playing a key role in South Australia hosting the national titles for the next two years.
Coach Of The Year – Scott Axton (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Finalists: Todd Bampton (Semaphore SLSC), Darren Hocking (Chiton Rocks SLSC), Darryl Pope (Seacliff SLSC)
Scott is a long-standing and highly respected IRB Coach whose impact extends well beyond his home club. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Scott has shaped not only his team’s success but has significantly contributed to the development and competitiveness of IRB crews across South Australia.
In the 2024/25 season, Scott coached the South Australian team at the Australian IRB Championships and served as a mentor coach in the Infront SA Surf League. Under his leadership, Aldinga Bay secured the 2024 State IRB Championship title - continuing a legacy of success with previous wins in 2022, 2021, and 2019.
Scott was instrumental in launching the IRB 360 program, where he provided mentorship, training support, and expert advice to clubs statewide. He actively shares resources, training plans, and equipment setup guidance, and has welcomed athletes from other clubs to train alongside his team, strengthening skills across the broader IRB community.
A champion of inclusion, Scott has mentored female athletes on technique and equipment set up tailored to their needs. He also regularly collaborates with coaches interstate to stay at the forefront of evolving techniques and best practice.
Official Of The Year - Loo Keighran (Somerton SLSC)
Finalists: Rachel Bell (West Beach SLSC), Paul Rothwell (Christies Beach SLSC), Robert Thompson (Grange SLSC)
Loo is a highly respected Technical Official whose dedication and versatility have made her a standout presence across club, state, and national events.
This past season, she officiated at nearly every state carnival, including junior, senior, pool rescue, the Infront SA Surf League, and both World Ocean Series, as well as both Youth and Senior events at Aussies.
Whether she’s area marshalling, check marshalling, judging, timing, or recording results, her deep understanding of surf sports operations and competition logistics make her a valuable asset. Her expertise with competition software such as SEMS and LiveHeats has also resolved countless real-time issues - ensuring events run smoothly and fairly.
As Somerton’s Senior Competition Officer, she goes above and beyond to liaise with team managers, coaches, athletes and parents, ensuring everyone is informed and prepared. Loo is also a passionate mentor, offering ongoing support and guidance to past, current, and emerging Officials and Junior Competition Officers.
Loo exemplifies great fairness and integrity, contributing to an atmosphere of mutual respect on the beach. Her transparent, athlete-first decision-making and calm conflict resolution have earned wide admiration, making her a role model who elevates the standard and credibility of officiating across the state.
Rescue of the Year – Jeffrey Owens (Brighton SLSC)
Rescue date: Friday 27 June 2024 at Brighton Beach
This award celebrates acts of bravery exhibited during rescue operations, recognizing individuals or teams who willingly put themselves in danger to save others in challenging and hazardous situations where the risk of fatality was imminent.
Given the incredible efforts of our surf lifesavers in performing numerous rescues, finalists are not chosen for this award, as every rescue is commendable. Instead, the lifesaving team selects a single winner using national criteria, focusing on an exceptionally extraordinary incident.
So, it is an honour to announce that this year’s winner is Jeffrey Owens for his rescue performed at Brighton last year.
On Friday 27 June 2024, Jeff Owens demonstrated outstanding initiative and lifesaving skills during a rescue at Brighton Beach. While walking his dog, Jeff noticed a man walking fully clothed into the water. Jeff swam out to the man, calmly negotiated with him, and provided reassurance. When the man could no longer stay afloat, Jeff towed him back to shore, ensuring his safety.
While Jeff was somewhat supported by another member of the public, he performed the lion’s share of the work and individually towed the fully clothed adult male back to shore. Jeff’s instinct, compassion and skilled response transformed a potentially tragic incident into a story of bravery and an exceptional rescue.
We commend Jeff for his exemplary actions, which underscore the critical role of our volunteer lifesavers play in keeping our coastal community safe. His courage and commitment are an inspiration to all.
150+ Patrol Hours
Congratulations to the following members who logged in over 150+ patrol hours in Season 2024/25.
Our state’s surf lifesavers volunteered over 90,000 hours between them during our recent patrolling season, with some donating more than the equivalent of four working weeks to this cause.
Nathan Amos (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Andrew Bedford (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Kristi Bedford (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Mandi Bedford (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Daniel Scadden (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Neil Wilson (Aldinga Bay SLSC)
Kylie Ellison (Brighton SLSC)
John Fretwell (Brighton SLSC)
Connor Jones (Brighton SLSC)
David Lucas (Brighton SLSC)
Lachlan Mollison (Brighton SLSC)
Jacob Newrick (Brighton SLSC)
Christopher Parsons (Brighton SLSC)
Cal Silcock (Brighton SLSC)
Robert Tanner (Brighton SLSC)
Craig Van Tenac (Brighton SLSC)
Hilary Whittle (Brighton SLSC)
Lillian Woodroffe (Brighton SLSC)
Lucas Garlik (Chiton Rocks SLSC)
Hugh Mahoney (Chiton Rocks SLSC)
Richard Nurmi (Christies Beach SLSC)
Lachlan Larven (Glenelg SLSC)
Jamin Lee (Glenelg SLSC)
Joshua Warne (Glenelg SLSC)
Jack Breen (Goolwa SLSC)
Damion Burrage (Goolwa SLSC)
Matthew Burrage (Goolwa SLSC)
Matthew Ludgate (Goolwa SLSC)
Cassandra Wilmot (Goolwa SLSC)
Michael Carter (Grange SLSC)
Hannah Darling (Grange SLSC)
David Forrest (Grange SLSC)
Samuel Ralph (Grange SLSC)
Jennifer Frisby-Smith (Henley SLSC)
Jai Gardner (Henley SLSC)
Alessia Giglio (Henley SLSC)
Jeff Mews (Henley SLSC)
William Piper-Bamber (Henley SLSC)
Rebecca Woods (Henley SLSC)
Cacilia Ewenz (Moana SLSC)
Peter Kerrison (Moana SLSC)
Geoff Faulkner (Normanville SLSC)
Piper Hudson (Port Elliot SLSC)
Michael O’Sullivan (Port Elliot SLSC)
Daniel Smith (Port Elliot SLSC)
Amelie Van Zijl (Port Elliot SLSC)
Mark Richard Williams (Port Elliot SLSC)
Ashley Baker (Port Noarlunga SLSC)
Maxwell Rogers (Port Noarlunga SLSC)
Daryl Stanton (Port Noarlunga SLSC)
Derek Bawden (Seacliff SLSC)
Matthew Crichton (Seacliff SLSC)
Hayley Hosking (Seacliff SLSC)
Sophie Scrivener (Seacliff SLSC)
Gregory Brown (Somerton SLSC)
Robert Hood (Somerton SLSC)
Lyndon Mills (South Port SLSC)
Leo Oliver (South Port SLSC)
Aaron Oliver (South Port SLSC)
Damian Taylor (South Port SLSC)
Brian Burrowes (West Beach SLSC)
James Butler (West Beach SLSC)
Nicholas Davis (West Beach SLSC)
Steve Pugliese (West Beach SLSC)
Matilda Heneker (Whyalla SLSC)
