Sunshine Coast clubs are celebrating after some of their committed members were recognised at Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Surf Woman of the Year Awards.
Eliza Dreves from Metropolitan Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club was crowned Surf Woman of the Year, in recognition of her community engagement.
She attended more than 100 events and held five fundraisers during the past 12 months, reaching 3000 people with surf safety messaging.
Ms Dreves was rewarded with $10,000 prize money.
“It is an out-of-this-world feeling, it is still sinking in, I am just so happy and honoured to be named Surf Woman of the Year,” she said.
“I am excited to go back to my club and share this moment with them. They have supported me since I joined the club as a nine-year-old nipper.”
Jessica Appel, from Coolum SLSC, was announced runner-up and the highest fundraiser.
She generated more than $48,000, which will benefit lifesaving services and member development at her club.
More than 280 members of the surf lifesaving community were present for the Surf Woman awards, at a special dinner at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
They acknowledged 18 of SLSQ’s most outstanding women, who undertook a range of judging elements for the Surf Woman program and raised more than $480,000.
Now in its 57th year, the program is open to members who undertake activities to develop their leadership, lifesaving, community education, networking and fundraising skills.
The has now raised more than $17 million since its inception in 1964.
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SLSQ Community Awareness Manager Helen Hallett praised the contribution of the entrants.
“I would like to congratulate Eliza Dreves for her efforts over the last 12 months in developing her leadership and community engagement skills,” she said.
“Her work has raised awareness and support for the valuable work our lifesavers perform.
“It has been fantastic to have 18 dedicated and passionate women involved in the Surf Woman of the Year program.
“They have each developed lifesaving, leadership and communication skills which will benefit them for years to come both within and outside of surf lifesaving.”
Claudia Fien from Point Danger Branch and Georgia Martin from Ellot Heads SLSC claimed the other main gongs, the Innovation Award and the Surf Woman of the Year Internship.
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The 2021 program was judged by SLSA Board Member and accomplished businesswoman Toni Bache, 2020 State and National Volunteer of the Year Belinda Doman, 2019 Surf Girl Winner Sophie Gerry, TV Personality and SLSQ Ambassador Liz Cantor and COO of The Star Gold Coast Jessica Mellor.
Entries are now open to female surf lifesavers for the 2022 Surf Woman of the Year program, to find out what is involved head to http://lifesaving.com.au/
Surf Woman of the Year award winners
- Overall Winner – Eliza Dreves from Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC
- Runner Up – Jessica Appel from Coolum Beach SLSC
- Highest Fundraiser – Jessica Appel from Coolum Beach SLSC
- Innovation Award – Claudia Fien from Point Danger Branch
- Internship Recipient – Georgia Martin from Elliot Heads SLSC
