Congratulations to our Winners!

Club of the Year Winner:
Tamarama SLSC

Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club is redefining what it means to be a connected, inclusive, and high-performing surf club. In the 2024/25 season, the club delivered major innovations focused on member experience, operational excellence, and community engagement. Highlights include the inaugural Proficiency Festival, which tripled participation in ART skills maintenance and strengthened member confidence and connection. The completion of Tamarama’s new clubhouse secures the club’s future and sets a precedent for others.

Operational improvements include new venue hire systems, gym protocols, and a comprehensive management plan. The Education Team expanded from five to nine trainers, delivering enhanced Bronze Medallion and IRB training including the club’s first all-female IRB crew. Diversity and inclusion were prioritised through targeted outreach, LGBTIQA+ representation, and diverse membership.

Digital tools like a new website, real-time feedback, and award dashboards have improved engagement. Scenario-based patrols and social events boosted connection and accessibility. Leadership is now majority female, including the club’s first female President, supported by governance and financial reform for long-term sustainability. A new sustainability committee and expanded rooftop solar also reinforce Tamarama’s future focus.

From new members to Life Members, Tamarama is a place to grow, connect, and thrive.

Services Team of the Year Winner:
The Tamarama Education Team

No one has more fun than the trainers and learners at Tamarama. The team creates an inclusive training experience that goes far beyond surf lifesaving skills. Described by participants as “one of the best things I’ve done in my life,” the education programs at Tamarama have become a cornerstone of connection, personal growth, and community building.

What sets this team apart is the deep commitment, passion, and attention to detail shown by every trainer involved. From the very beginning, it is clear to all course participants that both education and community are centred. Trainers are consistently described as knowledgeable, supportive, patient, and generous with their time, always going above and beyond to ensure every individual feels confident, capable, and included.

The team prides themselves on accessibility, offering a mix of mandatory and optional sessions that cater to different learning styles and skill levels. Many bronzies have highlighted the optional midweek learning sessions as a key highlight, with smaller group settings that allowed for confidence-building, targeted support, and closer bonds between clubbies, bronzies and trainers. These extra efforts, often done outside formal hours, are a testament to the dedication of the education team.

Administrator of the Year Winner:
Amelia Curtis

Amelia Curtis is an exceptional member of Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club whose leadership, professionalism, and dedication as Club Treasurer have profoundly shaped the club’s operations and long-term viability. All in just her first term as Treasurer. While the Treasurer role is often invisible to most members, it is absolutely critical—and under Amelia’s stewardship, the position has been elevated to one of proactive leadership, strategic foresight, and quiet excellence.

Amelia took on the Treasurer role at a time when the club’s financial systems needed significant updating. Rather than simply maintaining the status quo, she embarked on a complete overhaul of the club’s financial processes and forecasting tools. She worked closely with every arm of the club—patrols, training, IRB, competition, social—to develop realistic, tailored budgets and ensure all expenditures aligned with our strategic priorities and are affordable now and into the future. Her professionalism and approachability have made her a trusted advisor for all club teams, from day-to-day reimbursements to major capital investments.

Innovation of the Year Winner:
SLS Women’s Network

The ‘SLS Women’s Network’ is a foundation for collaboration and innovation for the inclusion of women in lifesaving, actively driven by six clubs: Tamarama, North Bondi, Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly, and Coogee SLSCs.

The concept for this powerful initiative emerged from Tamarama SLSC’s successful ‘She’s a Lifesaver’ campaign, enhancing visibility, participation, and leadership opportunities for women in Surf Life Saving (SLS). Tamarama continues this strategy, with women in key leadership roles and the ‘Inclusive Swims’ program for women and gender-diverse people, providing safe and welcoming ocean swims for newcomers. Over time, obvious support from neighbouring clubs and conversations at our swims led to more expansive collaboration opportunities to create more opportunities for women in all areas of surf lifesaving.

A network of women members grew from Tamarama, Bronte, Bondi, North Bondi, Clovelly, and Coogee SLSCs. Over two years, this has evolved into the SLS Women’s Network, acting as an innovation hub and safe space to advocate for women. It serves as a platform for sharing ideas, initiatives, and best practices, focusing on key issues for women in SLS. The organic evolution, energy, and growth of this group demonstrate its success.

And Congratulations to our Nominees!

Volunteer of the Year Nominee:
Prue Lynch

Prue Lynch is the embodiment of what makes Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club so special. In just her second season, she has become an indispensable force within the club, contributing across patrols, education, competitions, communications, and community. After recovering from an injury that delayed her Bronze Medallion qualification, Prue returned with determination, earning her Bronze in the Summer '24 cohort which is a testament to her resilience and commitment.

Always the first to put her hand up, Prue volunteers her time selflessly and enthusiastically. She is a consistent and energetic patrolling member, clocking some of the highest patrol hours this season. Her presence on the beach is marked by warmth, professionalism, and an unwavering willingness to help others - particularly new Bronzies, whom she supports with kindness and encouragement.

Surf Lifesaver of the Year Nominee:
Tim Wright

Tim Wright is an extraordinary member of Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club whose impact in just two years has been both deep and far-reaching. Despite being relatively new to the club, Tim has quickly become a driving force, not because of any formal title, but because of the way he leads through action, compassion, and innovation. He currently serves as Club Vice Captain and Competition and Training Lead, roles in which he consistently exceeds expectations.

Tim holds a Surf Life Saving NSW Coaching Qualification and Training Officer Certificate, credentials he uses to mentor others with warmth, clarity, and skill. Beyond his club duties, he contributes at the regional level as a member of the Sydney Branch SLS Member Services Committee and as host of the 2024 and 2025 Branch Awards.

Patrol of the Year Nominee:
Patrol 1

Patrol 1 at Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club is a shining example of what surf lifesaving represents - courage, camaraderie, dedication, and community. This exceptional team, led by co-Patrol Captains Zoe and Cam, consistently operates with professionalism, enthusiasm, and purpose. Their patrol is a place where everyone is welcomed, valued, and motivated to grow.

Zoe and Cam’s collaborative leadership creates a strong, supportive, and well-organised team culture. Zoe’s patrol briefings are always clear, inclusive, and safety-focused, often incorporating practical scenarios that enhance both confidence and skill. Balancing her patrol duties with her role as Vice-President of the Management Committee, Zoe leads from the front with care, competence, and boundless energy.

Trainer of the Year Nominee:
Richard Hamilton

Richard Hamilton embodies quiet leadership, technical excellence, and unwavering commitment to surf lifesaving at Tamarama SLSC. As the club’s primary IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) trainer, Richard has worked largely behind the scenes, without expectation of recognition, yet his impact has been both profound and transformative.

For several seasons, Richard has been the sole trainer driving Tamarama’s IRB training program. In a role that requires early mornings, complex logistics, and constant vigilance, he has shown tireless commitment to maintaining and growing one of the club’s most vital capabilities. His leadership style is understated but deeply effective—leading not through loud commands, but by setting a consistent example, supporting members patiently, and always showing up when it counts.

Once again, congratulations to all our Nominees and Winners. We're incredibly proud of you and are looking forward to watching you soar in the 2025/26 season.