Hi Team Tama

I hope everyone is having a good week and staying dry (when out of the ocean).

Can you believe this is the last profile of our Tama Women series?! It’s been quite a journey I think and it is fair to say that we have highlighted the tremendous talent we have across all our women at Tama, and I know some were a little shy but we know you are all awesome too.

Well, we are finishing on an even higher note! It is only fitting that our Woman of the Year for last year, takes the honours to finish our series. 

It is a great pleasure to introduce Lisa Bodrero, or Lisa Frenchie to many of us. I was lucky enough to be part of the same Bronzie cohort in 2020, and now she is one of my closest friends. That's the magic of Tama again.

Lisa is one of our key Comms team members, she is our club Registrar, she is a key helper for our ‘She’s a Lifesaver’ campaign, she ensures that these profiles are out every week! She was integral to our Celebration of Women in SLS weekend, she was also one of the main event organisers for our incredible Awards Night last year, she is IRB Crew and Driver in training and she will soon be one of our club trainers. I know she is highly regarded and appreciated by our Management Committee for all her hard work, energy, and time she devotes to our club. 

Aside from all of that, she is also incredibly tough, as many of you know, she is recovering from an IRB knock, but is already itching to get back in the ocean. She is also one of the most organised, structured people I know, whenever I need assistance trying to solve a problem that requires logical thinking, there is only one person to call (she usually finds it quite amusing as well!). She is a social bunny, passionate Gropers member, extremely generous with her time and a damn good friend.

So over to our Tama Woman of the Year 2021…to you, Lisa

Thank you,

Zoe - VP

Lisa :)

Hi Team Tama

Welcome back, even though the season has officially finished, we still have 2 more weeks left of our ‘She’s a Lifesaver’ profiles, so grab a drink, put your feet up, and enjoy this incredible read.

Michelle, our award-winning CTO, jumped at the chance to introduce our next special Tama woman, so over to you Michele, your way with words is second to none.

 “I randomly met Nikki a few years ago when my patrol was doing proficiencies and she was there. I'd heard her name from Marilee but hadn't met her. We got chatting and she said that she would be more than happy to help out with the Bronzies by giving them a defib lesson. For those of you that don't know, Dr. Nikki Bart is a leading cardiologist and all-round amazing woman. She has delivered her incredible defib talk to most Bronzie cohorts since I've been Chief Instructor, and each and every time I am totally riveted because, in addition to being a doctor extraordinaire, she's a pretty bloody good teacher as well. In fact, she inspired one Bronzie so much that he went out and bought a defib to keep in his car... just in case. Learning how to do good CPR is one of the most important parts of the Bronze course, and she always lays out exactly why, with a new and different example from real patients each time. She also loves ocean swimming and will do some Groper swims when she can. And oh yeah, she also summited all seven highest summits on each continent with her mum. She's pretty inspiring”.

Thanks Michelle and over to the wonderful Dr. Nikki Bart…

Thanks, Zoe - VP

Nikki (right) on patrol with Caz (left)

Hi Team Tama

Welcome back after the long weekend and to our next extraordinary profile of ‘She’s a Lifesaver’.  I met our next fabulous Tama woman when subbing on Patrol 11 last season, and during some Groper swims, she is an incredibly strong swimmer. Hailing from Brisbane, studying marine science and working in the film industry, everyone you speak to about our next wonderful woman, absolutely loves her. She joined us on Rainbow Beaches day and our Celebration of Women in SLSC Weekend, yes, it is our own Steph Atkinson. 

Jesse Price, PC for patrol 11 (with Sandra Fox), when approached for his thoughts, was very pleased to be able to contribute, 

“Steph and I graduated our bronze course together on 18 December 2018 (which feels literally like a lifetime ago) and then patrolled on a very small Sunday afternoon patrol (6 members at some point) which meant I got to see Steph in action regularly. She loves the water and was always in it swimming or showing us her board skills were better than the rest of ours. On top of her excellent life saving skills, during patrol Steph would also regale us with excellent stories from her work in film, like the picnic blanket she was gifted by her dear friend Nicole Kidman. Steph is an all round excellent human - 5 stars - would recommend patrolling with her”.

Over to you Steph..

Thanks for reading, Zoe  - VP 

Steph prefers to be behind the camera than in front ;)

Hi Team Tama

We hope you had a great Easter break! Welcome back to another epic edition of our Tama women profile series as part of our ‘She’s a Lifesaver’ campaign.

Our next wonderful Tama woman, flies the flag for our small club at state and national championships and makes life tough for those other competitors! Her success speaks for itself. As part  of the same legendary patrol 8, I asked someone who knows her very well, to say a few words about Margie Simpson-Lee, so thank you Sue Jackson for the lovely introduction.

“When it comes to ocean royalty at local, state and national level, Margie Simpson-Lee, is a respected member. Dubbed by many as the “Queen of Tamarama'', she has earned that title with disciplined ocean and beach training each day. The rewards have followed.

Margie has been awarded the club’s Major Ripley Competitor of the Year Award eight times in the past 15 years and has regularly taken a position on the Aussies’ podium. In the years between (2008 to 2014), she gave birth to and was raising her two boys, Archie and Oscar, yet still attended her patrols. She was made a life member of the club in 2019/2020.

There’s one more word to add to her description of self and that is “loyal”. Other clubs continue to try and poach Margie with attractive offers of coaching, positions in elite teams, and access to top notch facilities, yet she remains with us!

Thanks Margie for your loyalty. To me and many other clubbies, your strength continues to inspire us to do that extra lap, hard”.

Thank you Sue and over to Margie..

Thanks, Zoe - VP

Margie at Aussies

Hi Team Tama!

Welcome back to one of the best parts of our week, yes it’s another profile of one of our fabulous Tama Women. 

Tama’s ‘She’s a Lifesaver’ campaign keeps on gaining momentum! 

Up next is a woman with a lovely soul. I met her during lockdown on some Groper swims during winter last year, those swims helped us stay sane. She flies the flag for women with Patrol 10, she grew up in Canberra but has defected to Sydney, loves music, running, and happens to be a neurologist on the side. 

Introducing the lovely Dr. Alice Powell. She was a vital member of the group involved in the successful resuscitation at Mackenzie's in 2020, she saves lives. 

From the mighty Tim Murray “ Alice is one of the quiet achievers on Patrol 10. She is one of the strongest swimmers and has a strong record of rescuing and resuscitating patients. I always feel confident when she is on patrol that we are rescue ready”.

So over to the wonderful Alice…

Thank you,  Zoe - VP

Alice with club mascot Chingu (puppy Chingu!)

Hi Team Tama!

Welcome back to another epic edition of ‘She’s a Lifesaver’, yes we are still going strong and I think this is now our 18th profile  - go Tamarama Women!

I met our next wonderful Tama woman at our Celebration of Women in SLS day as she joined the fab morning patrol, she was also one of our La Nina Bronzies. Growing up in PNG, she is a water baby at heart, a wedding celebrant in her part time as well as being a Tama legend. 

Introducing the awesome Kate Young, newest member of Patrol 4 so I asked her PC Chris Barrett for a few words, “ Kate has been a sparkling addition to patrol 4 with enthusiasm for life and life saving and importantly some great chat in the tent which is just as well because her arrival has coincided with average weather and limited active patrolling. We are all pumped to have her in patrol 4 and excited by what she’ll contribute in building a great team and club culture”

Over to Kate...

Thanks - Zoe, VP

Tell us a bit about yourself: 3 words that best describe you?  Positive, curious and adventurous

Hello Team Tama! 

Welcome to the Thursday after our mighty Celebration of Women in SLSC Celebration!

We are still buzzing from last weekend, and this next profile is an absolute cracker and keeps the energy going! We are also celebrating that now, 30% of our active patrollers are women - go Tama!

This week, we have not just one but two fabulous Tama women profiles (great idea Michelle). Part of La Niña Bronzies, they signed up for our 2 for 1 Women’s offer and the rest is history. Introducing Veronica Depoi and Charlotte Mann.

I’ve met this dynamic duo with Patrol 7, on Rainbow Beaches Day and of course our all-star women patrol last weekend. They get involved in everything, are incredibly fun, and are great company on the beach.

Sophie, Co Patrol Captain of PC7 expands “Charlotte and Veronica are valuable new additions to patrol, they have brought great energy and are always willing to help with Nippers, eager to get out on boards and swim so make sure our patrol is super active, we are very glad to have them with us on P7”.

You are going to love this profile this week, put work/kids/study/virtual yoga on hold for a bit…learn more about these two wonderful new members.

Over to you Veronica and Charlotte, 

Zoe - VP

Dynamic Duo, Charlotte and Veronica, newest members of P7

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