Awards of Excellence winners announced

LIFE Saving Victoria’s (LSV) Awards of Excellence were held at the weekend to celebrate the most dedicated clubs and individuals in the lifesaving and aquatic communities.

The awards were not held in-person, but instead streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club’s (SLSC) Naantali Marshall was named Masters Athlete of the Year.

She said while the award ceremonies were certainly different to normal, some of the changes had been positive.

“Normally it’s a big ball in a function centre, but they did a really good job online.

“Because people were sent out a link and told about the awards, probably more people sat down and actually watched it then who would normally go to the awards.”

Marshall was the standout athlete in the 2020 Victorian Masters Lifesaving Championships in Lorne.

In unusually rough conditions, Marshall won all the water events in the female 40-44 age division, including the surf, tube, board, ski and iron events.

Despite her own individual success, Marshall said the highlight for her was competing in the team events.

“I’ve not had teams for quite a while… but this year I had Julia Cullity and Fiona Fitzgerald join me for a couple of team events, which meant that I added a couple of races I wouldn’t normally do and wouldn’t normally have won without them being great teammates.”

Anglesea SLSC’s Jemima Fitzgerald was named Mike Martin AM Junior Champion Lifesaver of the Year.

Club general manager Jennifer Mclntyre said she was delighted to see some of Anglesea SLSC’s most devoted members recognised.

“The Club is extremely proud of Naantali and Jemima winners of their respective categories – but also proud of all our nominees.

“Jemima is a wonderful young member who gets involved in all aspects of the club. This award is particularly special being named in honour of a wonderful long time Anglesea member Mike Martin AM who has given and continues to give so much to lifesaving and Anglesea. Jemima patrols, competes, is the 14 and under individual champion, and won the prestigious Nipper tee shirt art prize.

“Naantali is an incredible servant to lifesaving and has had a distinguished career over many years. We are so incredibly lucky to have Naant involved with coaching and training our Nippers, Dolphins and future competitors. They couldn’t be in better hands.”

Lorne SLSC’s Lucas Karlson won the prestigious Westpac Youth Lifesaver of the Year award, and Heath Armstrong was one of two Membership and Leadership Development Service Award Recipients.

Lorne SLSC also received an Innovation Award for their Skills Development Program, which is led by Karlson.

Ocean Grove SLSC were similarly well-represented, with Stephanie Reade named U14 and U15 Athlete of the Year, and Rob O’Brien winning Emerging Official of the Year.

Fairhaven SLSC also saw Julia Clarke awarded Volunteer Trainer of the Year.