News
Otago/Southland Awards of Excellence winners announced
Tuesday, 1 June 2021Press Release
May 27, 2021
Otago/Southland Awards of Excellence winners announced
Otago/Southland’s Surf Life Saving clubs have celebrated another successful patrolling season and year of achievements.
The Surf Life Saving Otago/Southland Awards of Excellence recognise the contribution and achievements that members, volunteers, athletes, coaches and lifeguards have had during the 2020/2021 season in the Southern Region.
Lifeguards from Warrington, St Kilda, St Clair, Brighton, Kaka Point and Oreti Surf Life Saving Clubs make up the Otago/Southland region.
Otago/Southland Club Development Officer Felix Cook congratulated all the volunteers who have put in the time, effort and dedication into making sure people get home safe after a day at the beach.
“Congratulations to all of our finalists, they have put in numerous hours across the region to improve themselves, others and the overall capability of Surf Life Saving in Otago/Southland,” says Felix.
This season, the Otago/Southland lifeguards completed 44 rescues, 30 searches, 15 major aid incidents and more than 7,000 hours of voluntary patrol.
Lifeguard of the Year was awarded to Phoebe Aburn, from Brighton Surf Life Saving Club. Phoebe had an outstanding season as she continued to upskill by attending National Lifeguard School, gaining her Rock Instructors Award and gaining several first aid qualifications.
Lifeguard of the Year was awarded to Phoebe Aburn, from Brighton Surf Life Saving Club.
“She has shared this gained knowledge and experience through instructing at her own club and other clubs across the region, as well as mentoring candidates at the Dunedin Intermediate Lifeguard School held this season,” says Felix.
Timothy Ball from Oreti Surf Life Saving Club was recognised as The Volunteer of the Year. As one of the key people at his club, Timothy wears many hats including coach, instructor, junior coordinator and athlete. His contributions have been pivotal to the club, particularly in helping to upskill his club members.
Timothy Ball from Oreti Surf Life Saving Club was recognised as The Volunteer of the Year.
A Regional Life Membership was awarded to Doug Henderson, who has dedicated more than 35 years of service to the Otago/Southland Surf Life Saving movement. In that time, Doug has served the region in many ways including instructing, examining and officiating.
“Even as he nears retirement, Doug shows no signs of slowing down and will continue to be an integral part of the Surf Life Saving movement,” says Felix.
The Regional Life Membership was awarded to Doug Henderson after more than 35 years of service to the Otago/Southland Surf Life Saving movement
Surf Life Saving NZ Awards of Excellence are held every year in each SLSNZ region to recognise and celebrate the many club members putting in considerable time, effort and skills at a grass-roots level to make sure Kiwis who head to the beach get home safe.
The regional awards for each area are held May through July and precede the National Awards of Excellence which will be held at a later date. The Otago / Southland awards are being announced at an event taking place on Friday 28 May.
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Otago/Southland Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners
SURF SPORTS AWARDS
Surf Official of the Year
Sean Doyle - Warrington Surf Life Saving Club
Event Guard of the Year
Madeleine Brown - St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club
Coach of the Year
Peter Gibbons - St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club
Service to Junior Coaching
Fiona Wilkinson - Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club
Sports Team of the Year
Brighton U23 Female IRB Team (Phoebe Aburn, Ali Adms & Rhiannon McFarlane)
Sports Person of the Year
Charlotte Underwood-Nicol - St Clair Surf Life Saving Club
GENERAL AWARDS
Volunteer of the Year
Timothy Ball - Oreti Surf Life Saving Club
Presidents Trophy
Danny Blair - Brighton Surf Life Saving Club
LIFESAVING AWARDS
Rookie Lifeguard of the Year
Mackenzie Dinnissen - Brighton Surf Life Saving Club
Rescue of the Year
David Daniels, St Kilda – February 1st 2021
Regional Lifeguard of the Year
Nathan Wolf - St Clair Surf Life Saving Club
Beach Education Instructor of the Year
Gabby Trotter - Brighton Surf Life Saving Club
Instructor of the Year
Jackson Aluesi - St Clair Surf Life Saving Club
Patrol Support of the Year
Jessica Agate - Oreti Surf Life Saving Club
Lifeguard of the Year
Phoebe Aburn - Brighton Surf Life Saving Club
Innovation of the Year
Otago/Southland Local Operations Committee
For more information please contact:
Stu Bryce
Southern Regional Manager
Phone: 027 557 1012
Email: stu.bryce@surflifesaving.org.nz
Felix Cook
Club Development Officer – Otago/Southland
Phone: 021 022 08310
Email: Felix.Cook@surflifesaving.org.nz
Rajal Middleton
Head of Commercial & Marketing
Phone 027 457 1001
Email: Rajal.Middleton@surflifesaving.org.nz