Emma Dawson from Broulee Surfers SLSC and Jonathan Kodomichalos from Coogee SLSC have been named the 2026 NSW Junior Lifesavers of the Year after three days of team building and leadership development on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Formally recognised during a presentation ceremony on Friday 10 April, Emma and Jonathan were two in a group of 22 eager teenagers who came from all of the 11 branches across NSW, having been acknowledged themselves as Junior Lifesavers of the Year for their region.
The pair represented their regions with distinction – Emma the regional Far South Coast and Jonathan Sydney’s eastern suburbs – while commendations for all participants proved once again that NSW is blessed with talented young lifesavers along the entire coastline.
Knowing well that they were privileged to be among a very worthy group, all of whom could have been named winners, the pair were thrilled.
“The first emotion was absolute shock, everybody in there was worthy of this,” Emma said.
“But I’m very excited and very proud, we all had the same sort of vision, and it has just been great to work with people like that.”
“It’s quite exciting but it’s just a title,” added Jonathan.
“Everybody here, we all had the same goal regardless of if we earned this accolade, being to progress Surf Life Saving and make the beach accessible and safe for everyone.”
A passionate and effervescent teenager, Emma is the first ever NSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year to come from Broulee Surfers and the third Far South Coast Branch winner, after Zara Hall (Moruya SLSC) in 2024 and Michelle Bouvett (Tathra SLSC) more than three decades earlier in 1993.
The panel of judges was impressed with her clear vision for involving her local community more heavily in Surf Life Saving, either as a volunteer or simply to be more beach safe.
“Patrolling on the beaches, it’s so great to see the community spirit.
“The people is what brings me back, it’s what makes us want to do what we do.”
Jonathan, meanwhile, has Surf Life Saving blood cells – his deep connection with the movement empowering him to initiate programs at Coogee that have helped Nippers to grow in confidence in the water.
“Coogee surf club has made such a big impact on my life, it’s given me so much,” he said.
“I love to help people out and giving back.”
Junior lifesaver finalists engaged in a three-day team building and leadership development program at Collaroy, including eating plenty of ABE’S BAGELS – the Supporting Partner of the event – before it all culminated in Emma and Jonathan being selected as the NSW Junior Lifesavers of the Year.
2026 NSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year Participants
Far North Coast | Yamba SLSC | Abe Patricks
Far North Coast | Lennox Head Alstonville SLSC | Miliani Tighe
North Coast | Woolgoolga SLSC | Reuben Wong
North Coast | Nambucca Heads SLSC | Issy Alder
Mid North Coast | Tacking Point SLSC | Declan Jones
Mid North Coast | Port Macquarie SLSC | Scarlett Brook
Lower North Coast | Forster SLSC | Daniel Reid
Lower North Coast | Crowdy Head SLSC | Tallow Eady
Hunter | Cooks Hill SLSC | Hamish Lawrence
Hunter | Nobbys SLSC | Edith McNamara
Central Coast | Ocean Beach SLSC | Will Nash
Central Coast | Ocean Beach SLSC | Piper Lawrence
Sydney Northern Beaches | Dee Why SLSC | Nixon West
Sydney Northern Beaches | Bilgola SLSC | Tilly Hobbis
Sydney | Coogee SLSC | Jonny Kodomichalos
Sydney | Coogee SLSC | Evangelina Anderson
Illawarra | Bulli SLSC | Taj Caldwell
Illawarra | Bulli SLSC | Bianca Staniforth
South Coast | Kiama SLSC | Henry Whittaker
South Coast | Mollymook SLSC | Alexandra Woods
Far South Coast | Broulee Surfers SLSC | Harry Leach
Far South Coast | Broulee Surfers SLSC | Emma Dawson
2026 NSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year Facilitators
Coordinator | Narooma SLSC | Kane Doull
Coordinator | Kempsey Crescent Head SLSC | Taylah Moffitt
Facilitator | Wollongong City SLSC | Kayla McKenzie
Facilitator | Byron Bay SLSC | Daniella Berti Carrabs
Facilitator | Copacabana SLSC | Beau Henry
Facilitator | Queenscliff SLSC | Harper Hinterleitner
Friday 10 April 2026