Two dedicated volunteers have been named the female and male Newcastle Permanent Hunter Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year.
The Hunter Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year awards were announced at the Hunter Branch Age Championships at Blacksmiths Beach on February 6, recognising and rewarding young members for their leadership, teamwork, surf lifesaving and self-awareness.
Each of Hunter’s 13 surf lifesaving clubs nominate a female and male for the award, who are then judged on their written application and interviewed by the judges.
Briella Gyler-Dial from Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) and Taj Horadam from Redhead SLSC were the winners, and a High Distinction was awarded to Monique Ramplin from Merewether SLSC.
Hunter Surf Life Saving president Henry Scruton said Briella and Taj were great examples of what local surf lifesaving clubs were all about.
“These young people are so impressive and an asset to the surf lifesaving movement and to the beach safety of our community,” Scruton said.
“Thanks to Newcastle Permanent, we can recognise and encourage these young people to be future leaders of surf lifesaving and in the broader community.”
14-year-old Briella has been a Nipper since she was five and is working to inspire the next generation of lifesavers.
For the past three seasons, Briella has volunteered on weekends at Caves Beach SLSC, helping age managers with younger Nippers squads.
The Hunter Sports High School student said she was inspired by one of her club’s age managers and former Hunter Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year, Makayla Gay.
“Surf lifesaving is so important because lifesavers help prevent people drowning at beaches, but Nippers teaches young kids and parents about water safety,” Briella said.
Redhead SLSC member Taj said he dreamt of being a surf lifesaver and loved being with friends at the beach.
The 13-year-old from Whitebridge High has already put his Surf Rescue Certificate skills to work helping a fellow school student who fell unconscious until paramedics arrived.
Similarly, in last year’s State Championship Age Surf Race, Taj stopped competing to help a fellow competitor who had been stung badly by a blue bottle.
Taj said surf lifesaving was in the family and was inspired by his dad, a former club president and current age manager.
“Nippers is so important because it sets kids up to be future lifesavers, is fun and teaches you about volunteering and giving back to the community,” Taj said.
Newcastle Permanent’s Swansea branch manager Brett Freebody presented the awards and was impressed by the calibre of all finalists.
Hayley McMahon
Information source: Newcastle Permanent