Surf Life Saving NSW welcomed two newly elected Board Directors and four new Life Members at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on 1 November.
Shannon Fox from Wollongong City SLSC (Illawarra Branch) and Sue Hunt from Moruya SLSC (Far South Coast Branch) were elected to the Board by the NSW State Council, filling vacancies left by long-serving Directors, John Restuccia OAM and Kerry Clancy OAM.
SLSNSW President Peter Agnew AM thanked the outgoing Directors and welcomed Shannon and Sue to the Board.
“Thank you to John and Kerry for their many years of service on the SLSNSW Board. With both retiring from the Board, I would like to record our thanks and gratitude for their contribution,” said the President.
“It was good to see a number of outstanding female members nominate for positions this year. Gender diversity in our leadership team to better represent our broader membership is very important. I’m looking forward to both Shannon and Sue helping to shape the future of the organisation for the benefit of our members.”
Shannon Fox is a highly commended young leader in Surf Life Saving, a patrolling lifesaver for 17 years and a former NSW and Australian Surf Lifesaver of the Year (2022).
In addition to her professional teaching career, Shannon has been a representative on major working groups and advisory panels at Branch, State and National levels from a young age. She has held positions of Club Captain, club Director of Education, Branch Duty Officer, RWC operator and national leadership program facilitator.
Sue Hunt has been a lifesaver since 2009, is a life member of Batemans Bay SLSC and is a dedicated volunteer and administrator in areas including membership, education and surf sports. Sue is a senior official, facilitator and has held various Director positions on the Far South Coast Branch. She is also secretary of the Australian Surf Rowers League.
Meanwhile, Freshwater SLSC’s Stephen Bennett, Sussex Inlet SLSC’s James Connolly, Pambula SLSC’s Frank Davey OAM, and North Narrabeen SLSC’s Steve Haggett are the latest members to be awarded SLSNSW Life Membership.
Stephen’s contributions to the movement have been sustained and highly valuable over a period of 35 years.
In that time, he has held significant roles at club, branch and state level, including stints as Freshwater SLSC President, a member of the Sydney Northern Beaches Branch Board of Management, and is the current Chair of the SLSNSW Services Board – a role he has held for nearly a decade.
James joined Surf Life Saving as a 14-year-old at Cronulla surf club and has been active among his three clubs, also including Tathra SLSC on the Far South Coast and now Sussex Inlet on the South Coast, for more than 60 years.
In the 70’s, he was a foundation member of the now-Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service as a volunteer crewman, has been a fervent supporter of surf boats as a competitor, official and mentor, and is a former president of Tathra SLSC.
Frank is a member that in his 34 years as a Surf Life Saving volunteer, has worn many different hats. As a Club President, Patrol Captain, Nippers Facilitator, Youth Development Coordinator, and gear steward, Frank has consistently demonstrated his commitment to Pambula SLSC and the movement’s growth and success.
Perhaps his most conspicuous achievement was the establishment of the highly successful Wambiri Youth Development Camp which is a cornerstone for youth development within his branch.
Steve Haggett has also held many positions over more than three decades within the movement. At Dee Why SLSC, where he is a Life Member, he is a previous Club President, Club Captain, and Chief Instructor, among others, and he is also a Life Member of Sydney Northern Beaches Branch for his service as a respected official and assessor.
At state level, he is a former NSW Surf Lifesaver of the Year, NSW Volunteer of the Year, and has championed the success of lifesaving events within the surf sports program.
Wednesday 6 November 2024