We all know them – members who care, give up their time and want to make a difference in the organisation.
The Surf Life Saving Illawarra Awards of Excellence celebrate the incredible people in our organisation and the impact they have on their clubs, its members and their local communities.
2025 Surf Sports Award Winners
Junior Athlete of the Year
Darcy Stepanovski | Wollongong City SLSC
Highly Commended: Nate Heffernan | Helensburgh-Stanwell Park
Masters Athlete of the Year
Ben Squiers | Wollongong City SLSC
Surf Sports Team of the Year
Open Men’s Surfboat Crew | Bulli SLSC
Athlete of the Year
Braydon Woodford | Bulli SLSC
Official of the Year
Mark Thompson | Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC
Highly Commended: Marty Ward | North Wollongong SLSC
Coach of the Year
Glenn Beveridge | Wollongong City SLSC
John Meehan Branch Championships Point Score
Bulli SLSC
Youth Athlete of the Year
Nicholas Aivaliotis | Wollongong City SLSC
Highly Commended: Stephanie Staniforth | Bulli SLSC
2025 Education Award Winners
Trainer of the Year
Tayla Gaviglia | Fairy Meadow SLSC
Facilitator of the Year
David Meredith | North Wollongong SLSC
Community Education Program of the Year
All in for the Sea | Windang SLSC
Assessor of the Year
Sue Martin | Sandon Point SLSC
Highly Commended: Geoff Ryder | Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC
2025 Member Services Award Winners
Junior Activities Volunteer of the Year
Alice Laurence | Fairy Meadow SLSC
Innovation of the Year
Patrol Guardians Program | Bulli SLSC
Service Team of the Year
Coalcliff’s Member Services Team | Coalcliff SLSC
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Alyssa Norris | Windang SLSC
Keith Caldwell Memorial Volunteer of the Year
Nathan Boscaro | Port Kembla SLSC
Highly Commended: Rob Deacon | Coalcliff SLSC
Administrator of the Year
Jamie Caldwell | Bulli SLSC
Highly Commended: John Dryden | Thirroul SLSC
2025 Life Saving Award Winners
Patrol Captain of the Year
Craig Picker | Coalcliff SLSC
Patrolling Club of the Year
Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC
Most Improved Club of the Year
Woonona SLSC
Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year
Cooper Walsh | Windang SLSC
Highly Commended: Max Widloecher | Woonona SLSC
Ted Marshall Memorial Surf Lifesaver of the Year
Michael Russo | Fairy Meadow SLSC
Highly Commended: Sue Anderson | Windang SLSC
Support Operations Team Member of the Year
Gunther Enthaler | Woonona SLSC
