11/03/2026
Nominations for the 2026 Surf Life Saving Sydney Awards of Excellence are now open. The Awards of Excellence recognises outstanding achievements and contributions across all aspects of Surf Life Saving.
Across our coastline, Surf Life Saving Sydney continues to adapt and evolve in response to emerging challenges, embracing diversity and inclusion as central strengths. Our members not only save lives but also educate, connect, and protect our communities, by the community, for the community, and that is something we are deeply proud of.
Surf Life Saving Sydney respects and acknowledges the traditional custodians across all the lands on which we live, work and patrol, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Background Image credit: 'Eora Dreaming' depicts the community of the fifteen Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout Sydney, stretching from North Bondi south to Burning Palms in the Royal National Park - Artist 'Billy Reynolds', proud Dharawal and Yuin man.
The Surf Life Saving Sydney Awards of Excellence are our opportunity to thank all our members, and recognise the best of the best from amongst our clubs. No matter what part of the organisation you focus on, your contribution is valued and we want to demonstrate these efforts.
All our Clubs have their presentation day, where they showcase the best of their club, across lifesaving, surf sports, education, youth and juniors, and member services. This event brings the best from each club together where we can thank or amazing lifesavers, and showcase our best across the branch.
We hold two events each year, one for the Juniors, and one for Seniors, which allows our nippers and youth members to be the focus of their afternoon event, whilst bringing together the Senior members together for an evening to remember. The winners of our respective events will then represent Sydney at the NSW Awards of Excellence, with the opportunity to progress to represent state at the national event.
Nominations
For both the seniors and juniors events, your club will be submitting their nominations after they hold their end of season Presentation Day event. Your club will be on top of the process, but feel free to check out the nomination guide to see if you qualify.
Note the latest nomination guide for this season will be added below when ready for the upcoming AOE events.
Tickets for the Juniors AOE
What a great opportunity to cheer for your club and your teammates than to come along to see your fellow youth members and juniors up for an award at the SLS Sydney Juniors Awards of Excellence. Its a whole lot of fun, especially when your club wins big. Grab a ticket and share the afternoon, with ice-creams, treats and a movie thrown in.
The latest details on ticket sales for this year’s event will be added below when available.
Tickets for the Seniors AOE
Come along and support your club at our SLS Sydney Seniors Awards of Excellence evening. All the winners from your own Club’s Presentation Day will be competing for the Branch Titles and would love to have you there supporting them for their win. From Surf Sports to Education, Juniors to Lifesaving, plus our big awards, Volunteer of the Year, Lifesaver of the Year and Club of the Year, there is a great night for everyone, no matter what your lifesaving niche is.
This year’s release of details for tickets will be added below once tickets are ready for sale.
Juniors Winners
See all the winners from this season’s Junior Awards of Excellence. We had so many great nominations, from so many terrific young lifesavers, it was difficult to select the recipients. Well done to all of our nominees. and award recipients.
Once the latest AOE event has taken place, we’ll post the circular with all our winners on the link below.
Senior Winners
With so many awesome nominations from across the Sydney Clubs, it’s difficult to select a single winner. Everyone deserves recognition for their efforts and should be acknowledged. Well done to all our nominees and winner, you have done us all proud.
Once the latest AOE event has taken place, we’ll post the circular with all our winners on the link below.
SLSNSW Awards of Excellence
Once our winners are announced, they are quickly passed onto the State team for consideration in their Awards of Excellence event. The Sydney Branch team are up against the other 10 branches across the state for the best of the best. Winners from the State awards progress onto the National event held later in the year.
SLSA Awards of Excellence
Should our winners progress through the NSW Awards of Excellence, then they will progress to the national event, where Sydney Branch members and clubs are up to be awarded best in the country. Up against the other states, it’s a terrific night and just making it through is an honour in itself.
Major Award Winners
Since our first Awards of Excellence, we have been proud of our amazing members and the work that they do. Find the honour roll for the previous winners of our three major awards, which have gone onto represent Sydney Branch at the State Awards. The Surf Lifesaver of the Year Award started in 1990, whilst the Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year and Branch Member of the Year commenced in 1998. Note that prior to 2018 Clubs were able to nominate directly to State for COTY, whereas after 2018 the winner progresses of our award progresses to state. Branch Member of the Year does not progress to State. State winners progress onto National, and a big congratulations to those who have won at these higher levels.
Club of the Year
2025
Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club
2024
Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club
2023
Elouera Surf Life Saving Club
2022
Bronte Surf Life Saving Club – State Winners
2021
Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
2020
Garie Surf Life Saving Club
2019
Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Club
2018
South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club
2017
Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Club
2016
Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club – North Bondi State Winner
2015
Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club
2014
Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club
2013
Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club
2012
North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club
2011
South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club – Maroubra State Winner
2010
North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club – Clovelly State Winner
2009
Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club
2008
Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club
2007
Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Club
2006
Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club
2005
Coogee Surf Life Saving Club
2004
Elouera Surf Life Saving Club
2003
Coogee Surf Life Saving Club
2002
Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
2001
North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club
2000
Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
1999
Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Club
1998
Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club
Surf Lifesaver of the Year
2025
Gareth Robinson, Bondi SBLSC
2024
Thomas Hough, Bondi SBLSC
2023
David Kowald, Elouera SLSC
2022
Chris Barber, Cronulla SLSC
2021
Jake McDonald, Maroubra SLSC
2020
Jessika Hay, Garie SLSC
2019
Matt Harper, Maroubra SLSC – State and National Winner
2018
Jackson Towns, Elouera SLSC
2017
Jedd Goggin, Maroubra SLSC
2016
Kane Hughes, North Cronulla SLSC – State and National Winner
2015
Rosemarie (Rosie) Taliano, North Bondi SLSC – State Winner
2014
Anne Bretherton, Garie SLSC
2013
Gilbert Olzomer, Maroubra SLSC
2012
Tania Rouse, Clovelly SLSC
2011
Tania Rouse, Clovelly SLSC
2010
Tania Rouse, Clovelly SLSC
2009
Tony Grivell, Maroubra SLSC – State Winner
2008
Trent Thomas, Maroubra SLSC
2007
David Hagart, Maroubra SLSC – State Winner
2006
Roslyn George, North Cronulla SLSC – State Winner
2005
Andrew Bloxsom, Coogee SLSC
2004
Stephen Leahy, Coogee SLSC
2003
Mark Frost, South Maroubra SLSC
2002
Tony Waller, Coogee SLSC – State Winner
2001
Paul Booth, Bronte SLSC
2000
Jodi Cuthbert, Burning Palms SLSC
1999
Jodi Cuthbert, Burning Palms SLSC – State Winner
1998
Christopher Giles, Cronulla SLSC
1997
Jason Madsen, North Bondi SLSC
1996
Suzanne Young, North Bondi SLSC
1995
Craig Farrugia, Maroubra SLSC
1994
Paul Cotter, Elouera SLSC
1993
Bernard Kelly, South Maroubra SLSC
1992
Paul Cooper, Tamarama SLSC
1991
John Restuccia, Maroubra SLSC
1990
Peter Agnew, North Bondi SLSC
Volunteer of the Year
2025
Dominic Winkle, Clovelly SLSC
2024
Basil Scaffidi, Bronte SLSC
2023
Nicole Cooney, South Maroubra SLSC
2022
Donna Hargreaves, North Cronulla SLSC
2021
Dave Love, Maroubra SLSC
2020
Phil Carter, Maroubra SLSC
2019
Doug Hawkins, Coogee SLSC
2018
Brent Jackson, Bondi SBLSC
2017
Wayne Druery, Cronulla SLSC – State Winner
2016
Paul Hotton, North Bondi SLSC
2015
Craig Howie, Coogee SLSC
2014
Michael Gencher, Bondi SBLSC
2013
Trent Thomas, Maroubra SLSC – State Winner
2012
Mark Percy, Clovelly SLSC
2011
Keith Grima, Maroubra SLSC – State Winner
2010
George Shales, Maroubra SLSC
2009
Tim Murray, Maroubra SLSC – State Winner
2008
Tony Grivell, Maroubra SLSC
2007
Doug Hawkins, Coogee SLSC
2006
Graham Ford, Bronte SLSC – State Winner
2005
Gary Daly, Coogee SLSC – State Winner
2004
Linda Perrin, South Maroubra SLSC
2003
Robert Yeldon, Coogee SLSC
2002
Robert Yeldon, Coogee SLSC – State Winner
2001
Michael Batty, Elouera SLSC
2000
Kerryn Briody, North Bondi SLSC
1999
Gary Daly, Coogee SLSC
1998
Brad Taylor, Garie SLSC
Branch Member of the Year
2025
Doug Lucas ESM, Garie SLSC
2024
Phil Carter, Maroubra SLSC
2023
George Benhayon, South Maroubra SLSC
2022
Marissa Saunders, Bondi SBLSC
2021
Andrew McKellar, Elouera SLSC
2020
Darren Galea, Elouera SLSC
2019
Matt Spooner, Coogee SLSC
2018
Simon Torsellini, South Maroubra SLSC
2017
Trent Thomas, South Maroubra SLSC + SLS Sydney
2016
Joel Wiseman, North Cronulla SLSC
2015
Matthew Evans, Maroubra SLSC
2014
Not Awarded
2013
Michael Day, North Cronulla SLSC
Joe White, South Maroubra SLSC
2012
Joe White, South Maroubra SLSC
Peter Burst, Bondi SBSLC
2011
Peter Pearce, Burning Palms SLSC
George Shales, Maroubra SLSC
2010
Doug Hawkins, Coogee SLSC
2009
Mike Vitnell, Cronulla SLSC
2008
John De Cean, Wanda SLSC + SLS Sydney
2007
Gary Daly, Coogee SLSC
2006
George Fatseas, Coogee SLSC
2005
Graham Ford, Bronte SLSC
2004
John Brown, SLS Sydney
2003
Jodie Tarrant, Bronte SLSC
2002
John Restuccia, Maroubra SLSC
2001
Not Awarded
2000
Not Awarded
1999
Dick Bignold, Cronulla SLSC
1998
Patrick Garlick, Bronte SLSC
AOE News
25/02/2026
Surf Life Saving Sydney invites all clubs and members to save the dates for our 2026 Awards of Excellence presentations.
18/08/2025
A huge congratulations to Robyn Carr on being named SLSNSW Official of the Year at Saturday night’s Awards of Excellence!
29/07/2025
Last chance! Have your say on the 2025 Awards of Excellence – the survey closes this Friday!
11/07/2025
Tell us what you think! We’d love to hear your feedback about our 2025 Awards of Excellence! Head to https://aoe.sls.sydney to fill out the survey and help us make next year’s Awards even better!
05/07/2025
Surf Sports Legends
Congratulations to Bondi’s Dori Miller
05/07/2025
Club & Community Champions
Congratulations to Tamarama’s Amelia Curtis 
05/07/2025
That’s a wrap on the 2025 Surf Life Saving Sydney Awards of Excellence 
What a night – filled with celebration, stories, and standout moments recognising the very best of our Organisation.
To every nominee and winner – thank you for the passion, dedication and impact you bring to our beaches and beyond.
Thanks to our friends at SLSNSW and Safe365
Last updated: March 11, 2026