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.
Far South Coast Bushfire Stories
"Still, to this day I don't know if anyone told me what was coming, whether I'd actually believe it."
Surf Life Saving and Gotcha4Life Partner to Help Save Lives
Surf Life Saving NSW has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gus Worland’s Gotcha4Life, as both organisations look to help build mental fitness and turn the tide on declining mental health and the increase in suicide within communities.
Record Funding Package for NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs
Surf Life Saving NSW President George Shales OAM and CEO Steven Pearce have announced a record funding package for all surf clubs in NSW to help them recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rock Fisher Rescue Wins Rescue of the Month Award
The life saving rescue of a 32-year-old rock fisher, who was swept into the water without a life jacket, has been awarded the Surf Life Saving NSW Rescue of the Month for March 2020.
Lifesavers Recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Surf Life Saving NSW members were among those recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community in the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced yesterday.
Surfer Dies in Shark Attack at Salt Beach, Kingscliff
A 60-year-old man from Tugun, QLD has been killed by a three-metre White Shark while surfing at Salt Beach near Kingscliff on the NSW Far North Coast.