Lifeguard of the year Very proud' Rainbow Beach man

04.08.2010

RAINBOW Beach Lifeguard Lleam Rees
loves his life on the beach but that was made
even better on Saturday night when he was
named Queensland Lifeguard of the Year.
The 22-year-old was still pinching himself
yesterday after winning the prestigious
award at the Surf Lifesaving Queensland
Awards night at Victory Park Golf Course in
Brisbane.
"It didn't feel real," Lleam said after receiving
his award.
"I was stoked- very proud," he said.
Lleam's boss Greg Cahill from Surf Lifesaving
Queensland said the lifeguard was
nominated for the award for his community
approach and his willingness to help out
whenever he was needed.
He said Lleam was always available to the
community not just while the flags were up.
"Everyone one in the community knows
Lleam is available to assist if something happens
outside beach operating hours."
He said in one instance with a drowning at
Inskip Point locals rang Lleam on his mobile
and he came to help.
"Lleam has been employed for about five
years and he has made a valuable contribution
to the lifeguard service in Rainbow,"
Greg said.
He added Lleam was an integral part
of the roving lifeguard service that patrols
40 kilometres of beach from Double Island Point
to Noosa North Shore on school holidays.
"Lleam's local knowledge had helped lifeguards
prevent incidents during those peak
periods," he said.
Lleam is a long time member of the Rainbow
Beach Surf Lifesaving Club having
started his career in nippers.
He loves the lifestyle of being a lifeguard.
"It's a great lifestyle and a great job," Lleam
said.
"It is something I have done since I was a little
kid.
"That's what I love, I have been able to go from a nipper to a
lifeguard all at Rainbow Beach".
In other good news, Lleam has just been
appointed a Beach to Bush ambassador for
Surf Life Saving Queensland.
He will travel to country areas and teach
surf and water awareness to school children
across the state.