Lifeguard of the Year

The Lifeguard of the Year award is designed to recognise and reward an ALS employee who has been judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of lifeguarding.The award is presented by Surf Life Saving Australia at an annual Awards of Excellence dinner.

The Lifeguard of the Year for 2009 is Lachlan Holbery-Morgan

In a first for SLSA, the DHL Awards for Surf Lifesaver and Lifeguard of the Year went to the same person.

Lachlan Holbery-Morgan from Anglesea SLSC and an employee of the Australian Lifeguard Service was shocked to win the dual honour.

“I can’t verbalise how I feel - I’m incredibly happy and surprised,” he said.

Lachlan is the chief lifeguard for beaches between Torquay and Apollo Bay in Victoria. With over six years of experience, he is also an award trainer and keen competitor. He has held a range of positions at club and state level as a volunteer surf lifesaver and professional lifeguard, among them, director of rescue services, patrol co-ordinator and manager, patrol captain and senior lifeguard.

He competes in IRB racing at club, state and national level.

Lachlan played a major role in the retrieval and attempted resuscitation of two Indian students during a tragic double drowning at Hutt Gully in December 2007.

“I’m going to keep doing what I do, use my year [as Surf Lifesaver and Lifeguard of the Year] to work on a few state projects I’ve been doing and hopefully now will be able to look at them on a bigger scale”

Lachlan will still patrol and continue with IRB racing during the winter months.

"Lifesaving never stops, it’s a year-round commitment," he said.

General Conditions

Application closing dates

Applications have closed for the 2009 awards. Please check back here in early 2010 for information on the application process for 2010.

Selection Period

These awards are orientated towards involvement and activities during the previous calendar year. The most important area for selection is the individual’s/club’s contribution from the 1st January - 31st December of the previous year.

Guidelines for submission

Applicants are required to complete and submit a nomination form. 

• This nomination form can be found in section three of the relevant circular.
• Attached to the nomination form applicants are to address the specific selection criteria for the award they are applying for.

Applicants must address the selection criteria for their individual nominated award. This is to be submitted together with the nomination form

• Individual selection criteria can be found in section two of this circular
• Please list each selection criteria as a heading with your response typed under each section

When completing the selection criteria, applicants must also address the following:

Past contribution

The judges are looking for growing commitment to surf lifesaving, impact of involvement and activities, and continuous improvement while showing initiative, motivation and leadership. This involvement will span the past three years unless the activity is of particular importance.

Contribution for the year of the award (i.e. Award for 2010 will focus on 2009)

This is the single most important of assessment and the judges will rely heavily on information placed on your nomination form, selection criteria and endorsements by state.

Future Contribution

Applicants will identify future commitments and ambitions to lifeguarding.

• Applicants are to include a digital image of themselves on a CD. This will assist in award presentations if the applicant is successful.
• Complete nominations are to be sent to respective branch or state/territory centres by the closing date stated above.

Selection Process

1. Upon receipt of completed nominations, state/territory centres will consider all nominations and determine a state/territory ‘winner’.
2. State/territory winners will be forwarded onto SLSA for consideration for the national award.
3. Winners of the state/territory Lifeguard of the Year award will be selected by a panel and will involve a review of applications and possibly a teleconference interview.

Presentation of Awards

The national winner of Lifeguard of the Year will attend the annual Awards of Excellence Night. This venue is subject to change each year.

Lifeguard of the Year recognition

The national winner of the Lifeguard of the Year will recieve an award trophy and certificate from SLSA at the Awards of Excellence.

In addition to this the winner will also receive a personal development gift from the Australian Lifeguard Service that may consist of a travel or equipment grant that is yet to be determined and subject to availability.

Example of specific award criteria and conditions

This award recognises and rewards Australian Lifeguard Service employees who have made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of lifeguard services.

Essential Criteria – please supply proof, where appropriate, via either a printout from Surfguard or equivalent

1. Currently employed with the Australian Lifeguard Service
2. Surf Life Saving Australia Awards/Certificates Held
3. Community Awards/Certificates held (where applicable)
4. Lifeguard hours (rostered and achieved) for 1st January to 31st December in the 3 previous years
5. Befitting the image of an Australian Lifeguard

Selection Criteria – please answer the selection criteria for the period of 1st January 2008 to 31st December of the previous year unless stated otherwise.

1. Describe your contribution to surf lifesaving active Lifeguard duties
2. Describe how you have demonstrated commitment to public safety
3. Describe and detail major achievements and positions, relevant to lifeguard services, held at local, regional, state and Australian level
4. Describe future life guard ambitions in the areas of local, regional, state, Australia, and in the community
5. Describe current and possible future challenges in Lifeguard duties and how they could possibly be overcome
6. Describe major achievements to lifeguard active duties for the 2 years prior to the current year
7. Additional information

Further Information

For more information on the Lifeguard of the Year contact your state Lifeguard Manager.