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

Tell us a bit about yourself: 3 words that best describe you Ocean-lover, social, energetic

Why did you get into Surf Life Saving?  How did you join Tama? When I moved from Manly in 2002 I was in the habit of walking the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk on weekends. There was a sandwich board in front of the Tama clubhouse inviting people to come down at 10 am on a Saturday for an ocean swim with the Tamarama Ocean Swim Squad. It started from there.

Friendly competition

What are the best things about being part of the Surf Life Saving community? I’m surrounded by like-minded ocean lovers and when I’m on the beach there’s always someone to swim with and chat to about the ocean. Tama is my “ocean family”. 

How would you describe our community at Tama? It is a close-knit, smaller club which flies under the radar of the usual Sydney world.  Tama is an ocean world where I know your first name, your love of the ocean, your readiness to swim, and little else.

Race ready!

Tell us about what you do when not on the beach at Tama looking after people? On another beach!  I love body surfing and I am out there finding waves every day – sunshine or rain.  

Competing in surf and sand events at SLSC Branch and Aussies involves training each day, so I find time to train, being careful to do the right amount of training to avoid injury. 

I am also looking after my two boys, Archie and Oscar, and enjoying as much water time as possible with them. 

Back at the desk, I work in the travel industry, travel being another great love and I’m currently navigating the world of travel for my clients as we emerge from COVID.

Margie with Oscar

Favourite place to go for food in Sydney? Iceberg’s Dining Room – to enjoy the amazing views, food and staff!

Ideal holiday destination right now? The Amalfi Coast

On the way to another gold medal ;)

What would be your advice to any woman thinking to give surf lifesaving a go? Give it a go!  It’s empowering to feel strong and have the skills to keep people safe and save lives.  It is a privilege to be part of a community that values females and, with some family support, there’s nothing stopping you from joining at any stage in your life. 

I have patrolled every season since 2003/2004. This included my child bearing years.  Mark would bring the babies down to the patrol tent for breastfeeding. The boys have grown up with surf lifesaving and I’m proud to share that Archie, at 13 years of age, is currently completing his Surf Rescue Certificate and will be patrolling next season!

All smiles when by the water

Thank you Margie for being part of Tama and our ‘She’s a Lifesaver’ profile series, you fly the flag for our small club at all the championships and we definitely punch well above our weight thanks to your contributions! Look forward to more successes in many seasons ahead!