slshop@admin, Author at Surf Life Saving NSW

End of Strange and Tragic Season for Surf Lifesavers

Despite the NSW bushfire crisis reducing summer beach attendance and the COVID-19 pandemic bringing an early end to the 2019/20 patrol season, there were a higher than average number of coastal drownings during one of the most unusual patrol seasons on record.

Women Celebrate 40 Years As Surf Lifesavers

Wednesday 1 July 2020 marks 40 years since women were given the opportunity by Surf Life Saving Australia to achieve their Bronze Medallions, don the iconic red and yellow patrol uniform and actively patrol Australian beaches as surf lifesavers.

Sue Martin – The Quiet Trailblazer

It was August 1980 and Sue Martin was fit, loved the beach and wanted to be a surf lifesaver. It was pre-season and she was told that for the first time ever, a squad of women were about to start training at Austinmer Beach. The water was cold, but it was a great opportunity to do her Bronze Medallion, so she asked to be included in the squad.

First Female Surf Lifesaver

Forty years ago,Port Kembla’s Nella Keenan (nee Risi) and seven other young women became the first females in Australia to obtain their Surf Life Saving Bronze Medallions. It didn’t seem like a big deal to Nella back then, but for thousands of women today who benefitted from the inroads they made, it was a significant achievement.