An initiative to save more lives “after hours” helped Hunter Surf Life Saving (HSLS) take the top gong at the Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence.

The Birubi Point SLSC’s Dusk Patrol Program secured the Innovation Award at the gala ceremony in front of nearly 500 volunteer lifesavers and their supporters in Sydney on Saturday 24 August.

After a few fatalities in the region, the local members were determined to make a difference, especially throughout the peak holiday season.

They scheduled dusk patrols between 4pm and 7pm, with one operating out of the Fingal Beach SLSC and covering the northern end of Port Stephens.

A second operated from the Birubi SLSC and oversaw the southern tip.

The patrols generally included a duty officer, jet ski operator, volunteer lifesaver and UAV pilot.

They were also equipped with multilingual beach safety and education handouts.

by having the Dusk Patrol Program, and working with other clubs nearby, I believe it saved a lot of lives.

Jenny Hicks

HSLS president Henry Scruton ESM and chief executive officer Jenny Hicks admitted the recognition was well-deserved.

“Unfortunately, we had too many deaths prior to Christmas,” the former said.

“We had to do something and this was an initiative the [Birubi] boys came up with, which was supported by Surf Life Saving NSW… and it worked.

“Once it began, there were no more deaths, no more drownings on our beaches.

“We get a big influx of out-of-area visitors to Port Stephens and the Hunter,” Hicks added.

“So, by having the Dusk Patrol Program, and working with other clubs nearby, I believe it saved a lot of lives.

“We were very happy with the outcome.”

Meanwhile, Redhead SLSC dominated the individual categories, with Lani Waller (Youth Athlete of the Year) and Dan Collins (Athlete of the Year) illustrating the club’s surf sport excellence.

The latter’s accolade was his second consecutive honour, the first person to go back-to-back since Cronulla SLSC legend Chris Allum in 2009 and 2010.

Waller was justly rewarded for a season that included winning both the U19 and Open Female Iron titles at the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships.

Caves Beach SLSC’s Steve Smith picked up Administrator of the Year, too.

Those plaudits allowed HSLS to be named Branch of the Year, taking home a fully-equipped drone kit.

“We’re thrilled to win,” Hicks said.

“One of the key things over the past 12 months was really focusing on our youth members.

“We realised they were an under-contacted group, so we’ve looked at ways we could engage with them better and keep them involved in the movement.

“So, we rolled out programs where they learned about modified drones and modified search and rescue… all the awards they can’t get now but could get in the future.

“That was a big win for us this season.

“It’s important to give them a taste of what is available moving forward,” Scruton chipped in.

“And, they grabbed it with both hands.

“In fact, they love it and it’s enthusing them to stay within the movement.

“I agree with Jenny, it’s a big win for us because they’re our future.

“I feel HSLS is a unique group.

“Our office, the people involved, the committees and the clubs all work together.

“It’s one big team and that’s something I’m really, really proud of.

“Everything clicks.

“We’re not quite country and we’re not quite city, so we just have that good blend of community within our branch.”

The ceremony signed off in signature fashion, by crowning the 2024 Surf Lifesaver of the Year. 

Umina SLSC’s Mollie Murphy prevailed, coming less than a month after being named a Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards winner.

The 25-year-old rounded out an amazing night for clubs and members from the Central Coast.

A quarter of the awards up for grabs went to the branch, including three alone for Terrigal SLSC; Club of the Year, Coach of the Year (Ryan Quick) and Masters Athlete of the Year (Paul Lemmon).

Surf Life Saving NSW president Peter Agnew AM congratulated everyone, highlighting his pride at the wide representation of finalists from across all branches.

“We’re so proud of all of our 78,000 members,” he said.

“But, the field of candidates for all of the award categories highlights just how prepared we are heading into this summer; there were so many deserving recipients.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib thanked the volunteer lifesavers for their commitment to keeping the coastline safe.

2024 AOE winners

YOUTH

• Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Larnie Mordue (Woolgoolga SLSC)
• Youth Volunteer of the Year – Amanda Cannon (South Curl Curl SLSC)
• Youth Athlete of the Year – Lani Waller (Redhead SLSC)

MEMBERSHIP

• Innovation Award – Dusk Patrol Program (Birubi Point SLSC)
• Services Team of the Year – IRB Trainer Team (Bondi SBLSC)
• Administrator of the Year – Steve Smith (Caves Beach SLSC)

EDUCATION

• Trainer of the Year – Richard Grimmond (Ocean Beach SLSC)
• Assessor of the Year – Scott Stein (South Curl Curl SLSC)
• Facilitator of the Year – Caroline Hjorth (Mona Vale SLSC)
• Community Education Program of the Year – Fit to Learn with Police Youth Command (Newport SLSC)

SURF SPORTS

• Official of the Year – Michael Crowle (Mollymook SLSC)
• Coach of the Year – Ryan Quick (Terrigal SLSC)
• Masters Athlete of the Year – Paul Lemmon (Terrigal SLSC)
• Surf Sports Team of the Year – Bulli Open Men’s Surf Boat Crew

LIFESAVING

• Lifeguard of the Year – Lily Murphy (Ballina Shire)
• Patrol Captain of the Year – Jackie Sproll (North Avoca SLSC)
• Support Operations Member of the Year – Gary Raso (Cudgen Headland SLSC)
• Rescue of the Year – LNC Duty Officers/Cape Hawke Call Out Team (March 2024)

MAJOR

• President’s Medal – Ray Petersen (Manly LSC)
• Branch of the Year – Hunter
• Club of the Year – Terrigal SLSC
• Athlete of the Year – Dan Collins (Redhead SLSC)
• Volunteer of the Year – Elyse McMaster (Evans Head-Casino SLSC)
• Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Mollie Murphy (Umina SLSC)

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