National Medals Awarded to 38 South Australian Surf Lifesavers

National Medals Awarded to 38 South Australian Surf Lifesavers

National Medals are a prestigious part of the Australian honours system, recognising long and diligent service by individuals who risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in emergencies. The Surf Life Saving movement, composed of dedicated volunteers, saw 38 South Australian surf lifesavers acknowledged for their community efforts in the recent awarding of batch 51 of the National Medals.

36 volunteers received the National Medal for 15 years of service, and two were awarded their 1st clasps for 25 years of service. These members were part of 208 surf lifesavers awarded nationally.

SLSA CEO Adam Weir highlighted the award’s significance in recognising invaluable contributions to Australian communities.

“The Surf Life Saving movement relies on the sustained service of many great Australians over many years. The true value of these 208 volunteers’ contributions is immense. We congratulate them on receiving this prestigious national honour and thank them for their many years of service.”

Congratulations to the following Batch 51 National Medal Recipients:

National Medal 1st Clasp - 25 Years

• Christoper Parsons - Brighton SLSC

• Catherine Smith - Normanville SLSC

National Medal - 15 Years

• Ray Tomlinson - Aldinga Bay SLSC

• Scott Axton - Aldinga Bay SLSC

• Bryan Axton - Aldinga Bay SLSC

• Andrew Meyer - Aldinga Bay SLSC

• Joshua Le Cornu - Brighton SLSC

• Lynette Woods - Chiton Rocks SLSC, Henley SLSC

• Simon Green - Chiton Rocks SLSC

• Scot Mather - Chiton Rocks SLSC

• Dean Woods - Chiton Rocks SLSC

• Shane Harris - Glenelg SLSC

• Lisa Harvey - Glenelg SLSC

• Jared Schenscher - Glenelg SLSC

• Karen Wilmot - Goolwa SLSC, Seacliff SLSC

• Nigel Smith - Grange SLSC

• Aaron Tuckfield - Grange SLSC

• Cathy Bennett - Moana SLSC

• Neil Cole - Moana SLSC

• Anthony Francis - Moana SLSC

• Stuart Hage - Moana SLSC

• Peter Mullany - Moana SLSC

• Stuart Whiley - Moana SLSC

• Michael Lippett - Port Elliot SLSC

• Verity Remilton - Port Elliot SLSC

• Neil Wilson - Port Noarlunga SLSC

• Andrew Coleman - Seacliff SLSC

• James McBride - Somerton SLSC

• Ian Boys - South Port SLSC

• Noelene Charles - South Port SLSC

• Anthony McKenzie - South Port SLSC

• Gina Mills - South Port SLSC

• James Hettner - West Beach SLSC

• David Richardson - West Beach SLSC

• Peter Taylor - West Beach SLSC

• Carolyn Yates - Whyalla SLSC

• Annette Zubrinich - Whyalla SLSC

• Philip Zubrinich - Whyalla SLSC

• Melissa Zubrinich - Whyalla SLSC

2024 Trainers and Assessors Service Awards

2024 Trainers and Assessors Service Awards

Surf Life Saving SA would like to congratulate and thank the following trainers and assessors who received Service Awards at the 2024 Trainers and Assessors Professional Development event.

Member education plays a critical role in the surf life saving movement, ensuring our surf life savers are qualified and supported throughout their development journey. Thanks to our trainers and assessors across the state, current club members can continue to upskill and gain new qualifications in a variety of lifesaving pathways, while also enabling new members to join the surf life saving ranks and increase our lifesaving capabilities.

TRAINERS SERVICE AWARDS

5 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Robert ‘Bobby’ Tanner - Brighton SLSC

15 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Reagan Moon - Port Elliot SLSC

• Angela Farrier - Moana SLSC

20 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Leo O’Callaghan - Chiton Rocks SLSC

• Kirk Dixon - Port Elliot SLSC

• Christine Michelmore - Port Elliot SLSC

• Andrew Henry - Henley SLSC

35 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Matt Burrage - Goolwa SLSC

• Graeme Cunningham - West Beach SLSC

40 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Ralph Bock - Grange SLSC

ASSESSORS SERVICE AWARDS

5 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Amanda De Ieso - Glenelg SLSC

• Iain Mitchell - Glenelg SLSC

10 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Michael Grant - Port Elliot SLSC

• Karen Wilmot - Goolwa SLSC

15 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Andrew Henry - Henley SLSC

25 YEAR SERVICE AWARD

• Mandi Bedford - Aldinga Bay SLSC

Andrew Henry, Karen Wilmot, Amanda De Ieso, Mandi Bedford, Graeme Cunningham, Bobby Tanner

2024 National and Interstate Pool Rescue Championships Results

2024 National and Interstate Pool Rescue Championships Results

It was a highly successful campaign for South Australia at the 2024 National and Interstate Pool Rescue Championships at Southport Aquatic Centre, Queensland.

South Australian pool rescue athletes were proud to celebrate 37 podium finishes, including 12 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze medals. This was topped with two new Australian records by Ben Edmonds and Henley SLSC team Emma Christensen and Poppy Burrows, as well as a number of state records.

The South Australian state team also claimed their third consecutive bronze in the Interstate Championships, securing 374 points behind New South Wales (456 points) and Queensland (573 points).

Congratulations to all who competed and represented their club and/or state on the national stage. Thank you to Kozii Swimwear for sponsoring the 2024 Pool Rescue Interstate Team.

Finally, SLSSA was thrilled to announce that the 2025 and 2026 Australian Pool Rescue Championships will be held at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Adelaide. Dates include 7 - 10 August 2025, and 6 - 9 August 2026.

2024 POOL RESCUE NATIONAL MEDALLISTS

200m Obstacle Race

• GOLD - Ben Edmonds (Grange SLSC) - Men’s 30-34

• GOLD - Leila Nazimi (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 40-44

• SILVER - Josephine Varney (West Beach SLSC) - Women's 50-54

• SILVER - Hunter Laird-Britton (Brighton SLSC) - Women's U19

• SILVER - Briny McArthur, Leila Nazimi, Josephine Varney and Sarah Warriner (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 120+ 4x50m Obstacle Relay

• BRONZE - Jordan Tucker (Moana SLSC) - Men's U14

• BRONZE - Briny McArthur (West Beach SLSC) - Women's 30 - 34

Line Throw

• GOLD - Taj Ward and Fletcher Luscombe (Seacliff SLSC) - Men's Opens 2x12.5m

• GOLD - Alan Liew and Hamish Tunbridge (West Beach SLSC) - Men's U13 2x10m

• GOLD - Jordan Tucker and Xavier Tunbridge (Moana SLSC) - Men's U14 2x10m

• GOLD - Jade Rocca and Sofia Spagnoletti (West Beach SLSC) - Women's U14 2x10m

• GOLD - Emma Christensen and Poppy Burrows (Henley SLSC) - Women's U15 2x12.5m

• GOLD - Ben Edmonds and Matt Perriman (Grange SLSC) - Men's 30-39 2x12.5m

• SILVER - Poppy Burrows and Phoebe Warriner (Henley SLSC) - Women's U14 2x10m

• SILVER - Lachlan Lines and Toby Murphy (Moana SLSC) - Men's U15 2x12.5m

• SILVER - Briny McArthur and Leila Nazimi (West Beach SLSC) - Women's 30-39 2x12.5m

• SILVER - Josephine Varney and Sarah Warriner (West Beach SLSC) - Women's 50-59 2x12.5m

• BRONZE - Alexander Murray and Noah Pronk (West Beach SLSC) - Men's U19

50m Manikin Carry

• GOLD - Ben Edmonds (Grange SLSC) - Men's 30-34

• GOLD - Leila Nazimi (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 40-44

• GOLD - Josephine Varney (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 50-54

• BRONZE - Matthew Perriman (Grange SLSC) - Men’s 30-34

• BRONZE - Jade Rocca (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s U14

100m Manikin Carry with fins

• GOLD - Matthew Perriman (Grange SLSC) - Men’s 30 - 34

• BRONZE - Leila Nazimi (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 40 - 44

• BRONZE - Josephine Varney (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 50 - 54

100m Manikin Tow with fins

• SILVER - Xavier Tunbridge (Moana SLSC) - Men’s U14

• SILVER - Jade Rocca (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s U14

• SILVER - Matthew Perriman (Grange SLSC) - Men’s 30-34

• SILVER - Leila Nazimi (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 40-44

100m Rescue Medley

• BRONZE - Toby Murphy (Moana SLSC) - Men’s U15

• BRONZE - Hunter Laird-Britton (Brighton SLSC) - Women’s U19

4x25m Manikin Relay

• SILVER - Briny McArthur, Leila Nazimi, Josephine Varney and Sarah Warriner (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 120+

• BRONZE - Jordan Tucker, Lachlan Lines, Toby Murphy, Xavier Tunbridge (Moana SLSC) - Men’s U14/U15

4x50m Medley Relay

• SILVER - Briny McArthur, Leila Nazimi, Josephine Varney and Sarah Warriner (West Beach SLSC) - Women’s 120+

• BRONZE - Alexander Murray, Karim Nasr, Noah Pronk, Zachary Tucker (West Beach SLSC) - Men’s U17/U19

Super Lifesaver

• BRONZE - Toby Murphy (Moana SLSC) - Men’s U15

NEW AUSTRALIAN RECORDS

• Ben Edmonds (Grange SLSC) - Men’s 30-34 200m Obstacle Race - TIME: 2:08:51

• Emma Christensen and Poppy Burrows (Henley SLSC) - Women's U15 2x12.5m Line Throw - TIME: 14.55