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SLSNZ Announces Winners of the Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence
Wednesday, 18 June 2025Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is proud to announce the winners of the Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence. The 2024/25 winners were announced on Sunday, 15 June at a function held at the Ellwood Function Centre in Hastings.
The annual Awards of Excellence recognise and celebrate the skill and commitment of surf lifeguards who make a meaningful contribution towards saving lives, developing great New Zealanders, and keeping beachgoers safer. That mahi not only includes the hours watching over people on our beaches, but also those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes training current and future surf lifeguards, managing administration, and coaching and participating in surf lifesaving sport.
SLSNZ Central Regional Manager Charlie Cordwell, said, “Congratulations to everyone who received an award on Sunday night and thank you for the contribution you make to Surf Life Saving in Hawkes Bay.”
This year’s coveted DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year Award was won by Morgan List from Waimārama Surf Lifesaving Club.
Cornelius Venter, Waimārama Director of Lifeguarding said, “As a junior lifeguard Morgan has shown great promise when it comes to supporting her fellow team members and club mates on patrol, she always brings a positive attitude and a can-do approach.”
Rhys Harman from Waimārama won the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year. Waimārama Chair, Ken Laurie, said “After 18 years involved with surf lifesaving, Rhys still gives without question and is 100% committed. Whether it be general lifeguarding, IRBs or being part of the club’s board – his input is very much valued.”
The Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence brought together Ocean Beach Kiwi, Pacific, Waimārama and Westshore Surf Life Saving clubs.
Full list of winners:
DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year
Morgan List, Waimārama
DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year
Jacob Lawrence, Waimārama
DHL Patrol Support of the Year
Bob Dickson, Waimārama
bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year
Beau Marshall, Waimārama
Toyota Financial Services Coach of the Year
Rhys Harman, Waimārama
Toyota Financial Services Surf Sportsperson of the Year
Lucy Kinnear, Waimārama
Aon Surf Sports Official of the Year
Yvonne Clark, Waimārama
Aon Surf Sports Team of the Year
Under 19 IRB team (Morgan List and Tayla Hook), Waimārama
Aon Event Safety Contribution of the Year
Mika Moenchmeier, Waimārama
Junior Surf Contribution of the Year
Kathryn Sheridan, Waimārama
Instructor of the Year
Tayla Hook, Waimārama
Examiner of the Year
Jason Broome, Waimārama
NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year
Rhys Harman, Waimārama
Beach Ed Instructor of the Year
Tarsh Brewer, Westshore
Paid Lifeguard of the Year
Luca Broome, Waimārama
Club of the Year
Pacific