Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022 at Tamarama SLSC by Sandra Fox 

Women have always been at Tamarama. From our First Nations women of the Bidjigal and Gadigal People who lived in the area, to colonial women through to modern times, women have been and always will be a big and valuable part of this community.

In its founding year of 1906, Tamarama Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) commenced a proud tradition of keeping the public safe in and around the water of our beautiful beach. Women were part of that effort too, they were the wives, sisters, mothers, daughters, friends, aunts, carers, friends and grandmas of the surf lifesavers who supported and enabled their efforts.

Women in Surf Lifesaving

Surf lifesaving began on the beaches of Sydney then spread around the country, first to Western Australia and Queensland then later to the other states. The Royal Life Saving Society, which originated in Britain, placed lifelines on beaches and held classes. Records show that the first ‘Bronze Medallion’ training and qualifications are awarded in 1910 at Bondi and Coogee.

Welcome back Team Tama to our wonderful Tama Women Profile series.

A theme across so many of our women is just how humble they are about their achievements! I shall say this every week, I am so glad we are running this series, it really does make me feel so proud of our club when I read these profiles but also to showcase how great our women are!

Next up is one of the wonderful La Niña Bronzies - our most recent (biggest ever) cohort - thanks again Michelle and the whole education team. I finally got to meet our next Tama legend this weekend at Rainbow Beaches Day, she was one of the first that volunteered to paddle out and also has volunteered for Bondi to Bronte board support. She started as a Nipper in Victoria and went on to rowboats for Woollamai, and now we are very lucky to have the lovely Sarah Goodear as a fabulous addition to our Team. 

Here is what Taga, who trained the Sunday group had to say when approached for some words on Sarah ;) 
‘Sarah is a kind, supportive, and committed lifesaver. I had the pleasure of training the Sunday Bronze group, which she belonged to. Her supportive nature shined through, when, due to personal circumstances, she had to do her wet assessment with the Saturday Bronze Group. However, she made an effort to come and support the Sunday group for their last part of the wet assessment. 
She also showed up with her fellow Lady Bronzies to support another Bronzie who had to do the wet assessment by herself, due to the swell being too rough. 

Sarah’s kind and supportive nature is an asset to Tama and I look forward to seeing her excel within our community.’

Over to Sarah, enjoy reading everyone. 

Thanks, Zoe - VP

Happy Thursday Team Tama!

Welcome back to one of the best parts of the week, yes it’s another fabulous Tama Woman profile.
I met our next awesome Tama woman when I joined her patrol on a cover before Christmas, and at some of the Gropers' swims. She is always one of the first to come and say hello, ask how you are doing, and is always ready to help volunteer for the club, she's kindly helping me on Rainbow Beach Day, another humble but extraordinary female member of our club! 

Introducing Gretchen Masters who is one of our latest Bronzies. I asked Michelle, our award-winning CTO for some words, “ Gretchen isn’t new to Tama but she’s new to patrol. Nipper Mum extraordinaire, it was so fabulous having her on the last Bronzie course. Her enthusiasm, team spirit, and diligence shone through, we are so thrilled to have you Gretch!

I also asked Patrick, PC for  Patrol 3 for some words  “ Gretchen is an excellent addition to our patrol and a very skilled new lifesaver (thanks to Michelle and the education team), she is also an incredible swimmer and has a very upbeat positive attitude, which comes in handy on rainy windy days!”

I loved reading Gretchen’s profile. There is one line that stands out to me “Tama is a bunch of fabulous humans who make me feel welcome whenever I’m with them”, well you are one of those too Gretchen, let’s hear from you.

Thanks, Zoe VP

The best way to start the day

Happy Thursday Team Tama!

Welcome back to our ‘She’s a Lifesaver’ profile series, we have a great profile for you this week. 

Our next superstar is always contributing to our club. She spoke at the Bronzie information night back in Jan 2020 for my cohort. I remember how passionately she spoke about Tama and the course, I think we all decided that night to sign up. She also organised our evenings training venue at her company’s workplace. She is very humble, she’s a fantastic runner, swimmer and paddler and is always smiling. Introducing Nat Sutton, all-round wonderful person. 

She lives close to me in Coogee, we bump into each other a few times a week, ‘coincidently’ according to Nat, we even work in the same building. She follows me to our favourite food venue in Coogee, and waits to say hi to me when I finish my gym group in the mornings, which is really lovely, thanks Nat ;) 

Many of you have heard but for those that haven’t, thanks to Nat’s skills and capabilities, there are 2 people that wouldn’t be alive today. She was involved in the rescue at McKenzie's 2 years ago and also the resuscitation of one of her running club members (read more here). This is why I love these profile series, we get to share the contributions and the difference our members make. 

Please read and enjoy what Nat has to say, over to you Nat..

Thanks, Zoe , VP

Smilling after a long swim | Board pro