Seniors presentation evening 2026

On Saturday 30 May, we held our Senior Club Presentation Evening, and what a fantastic night it was celebrating another successful season at Avoca Beach SLSC!

The evening brought together members, volunteers, athletes and supporters to recognise the dedication, commitment and achievements of our club throughout the 2025/26 season. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on everything that has been accomplished both on and off the beach and to celebrate the people who make our club such a special place.

We would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of our amazing athletes and patrolling members for their achievements throughout the season. Whether competing, patrolling, volunteering, coaching, officiating or supporting behind the scenes, every contribution has played a part in making this year such a success. We are incredibly proud of all our members and thank you for your commitment to our club and community.

OUR 2025/26 SEASON AWARD WINNERS:

• Club Person of the Year: Matthew Mitchell

  • Highly respected member with over 40 years patrolling experience & is qualified in Bronze medallion, IRB Crew, IRB driver as well as his role as patrol captain

  • His influence extends far beyond lifesaving, he has dedicated an incredible amount of time to train & develop surf boat crews, coaching & sweeping six crews this season, a minimum of 18 hours on the water training each week, an unbelievable effort.

  • He has swept in over 250 races this season & getting some fantastic results including Aussie Gold with the U19 Female crew the CCSS & representing NSW with the reserve men, the Red Dogs. This highlights his passion & dedication to Avoca Beach SLSC.

  • He exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism. His selflessness, leadership & unwavering dedication make him an invaluable member of Avoca Beach SLSC.

• Junior Club Person of the Year: Lucy Marshall

  • Lucy Marshall is an absolute role model for Avoca Beach SLSC. An U17 member, Lucy participates in all Surf Sports activities, including weekly training sessions, and attends all carnivals

  • A patrolling member at both Avoca Beach SLSC and Umina SLSC, Lucy completed a total of 46.5 patrol hours last season

  • While her Lifesaving and Surf Sports contribution are significant, the area she has made the biggest difference is the mentoring she provides to Avoca Beach Nippers. Lucy is assistant Age Manager of the U12 Girls, attending all Sunday nipper activities and carnivals. In 2025-26 she also took on a lead role at Board Coaching, including supporting the less confident and experienced U9-10 foamy group every Tuesday

  • She represented Avoca at last seasons SLSCC U17-19 Youth Development Program and also put her hand up to help at various surf club fundraising activities

  • She is a deserving winner of the Junior Club Person award

• Patrol Person of the Year: Jason Lauder

  • Holds qualifications in Bronze med, IRB crew, IRB driver, Advanced resuscitation & First Aid

  • Is either a facilitator or assessor in Bronze medallion, IRB & Advanced resus

  • Completed an unbelievable 102 hours patrolling this season, on top of that over 100 hours training, assessing & making sure every person was qualified to keep our beach safe

  • Responsible for implementing Lifesaving CPR, a new SLS initiative across our club which was invaluable to all our patrolling members.

• Junior Patrol Person of the Year: Zac McKay

  • Completed 43 hours patrolling this season including volunteering on Christmas day

  • Spent many hours in the water at carnivals & nippers doing water safety, as well as an age manager of a nippers group.

  • Always happy & smiling around the club, willing to help anywhere he can

• President's Award: Sally Webster

  • Consistently always there

  • Masters athlete attending many carnival

  • Age manager

  • Behind the scenes JAC manager

  • Patrol member

• Mark Sainsbury Scholarship: Ciara Williams & Ryder Kasun

CIARA WILLIAMS

• Long term member

• Active patrol member

• Through the junior ranks into U17 competition

• Mentor for the junior kids coming through the U14s & U15s

• All round good person

RYDER KASUN

• Highly skilled waterman who is qualified in Bronze Medallion, Advanced Resuscitation & First Aid, also works as a professional lifeguard with the council.

• Has been a part of the rowing section for 3 seasons with the U19 male crew, The Wolfpack.

• Always willing to help anywhere he can in any capacity whether that be on patrol, at a carnival or around the club.

• Male & Female Encouragement: Tyke Harvey & Rebecca Hall

• Competitors' Competitor: Jett Green

• Open Male Competitor of the Year: Jett Green

• Open Female Competitor of the Year: Jazzmyn Fillingham

• Beach Competitor of the Year: Finn Robertson

• Pool Rescue Competitor of the Year: Bodi Bone

• Junior Female Competitor of the Year: Ciara Williams

• Junior Male Competitor of the Year: Ashton Bone

• Boat Crew of the Year: CC'SS (Andrew Collins (S), Sian Beynon, Sophie Bookallil, Charley Collins & Cleo Hodson)

The recipients of this year’s Crew of the Year award, the U19 Female Crew “CC’SS”, have achieved something truly remarkable. Over the past season, these girls showed enormous improvement through relentless hard work, dedication, and commitment to one another. Their preparation often began in the dark before most people were even awake, and their efforts off the water were just as impressive, regularly attending section-led fitness and bonding sessions while also contributing to fundraising BBQs and club activities. On the water is where they shone brightest, producing an outstanding season of results that included becoming finalists at both the ASRL and NSW State Titles, before claiming gold medals at the Central Coast Branch Championships and NSW Regionals. They then capped off an unforgettable year by becoming Australian Champions - making history as the first junior girls crew from the club to win the Australian Titles. Their achievement is a testament to their determination, teamwork, and pride in representing the club.

• Boaties Boatie: Elle Mitchell

The recipient of this year’s Boaties Boatie award, Elle Mitchell, an award voted on by peers, teammates, and fellow competitors, making it a true reflection of the respect and admiration she has earned throughout the season. In the engine room of our Reserve Female crew, she raced with determination, toughness, and unwavering commitment, playing a key role in the crew’s strong results across the year. Off the water, Elle consistently led from the front, always the first to organise boats, oars, trailers, and logistics, ensuring everything and everyone was ready to go. Whether it was setting up, packing down, or simply being the encouraging and smiling face wherever you turned, she brought positivity and energy to every part of the club environment. Always willing to help both on and off the water, her dedication and selflessness clearly did not go unnoticed, making her a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award.

• Junior Boatie of the Year: Johnnie Mitchell

The recipient of this year’s Junior Boatie of the Year award, Johnnie Mitchell, has demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership, and team spirit throughout the season. He trained exceptionally hard at every opportunity and regularly led sessions within both his crew and section training environments, setting a strong example for others to follow. Away from training and competition, he was always willing to help, whether it was setting up for carnivals, packing down at the end of the day, or stepping in to assist other crews whenever needed at training or events. His willingness to put the team and club before himself, combined with his positive attitude and dedication, made him a valued member of the club and a deserving recipient of this award. Showing the club is in good hands.

• Female Boatie of the Year: Sian Beynon

The recipient of this year’s Female Boatie of the Year award, Sian Beynon, has shown outstanding dedication, commitment, and club spirit throughout the season. She consistently went above and beyond by taking part in morning run sessions with other crews, completing patrols, and contributing to fundraising activities through club BBQs. Her willingness to be involved in all aspects of club life, including section run breath work sessions, highlighted her positive attitude and team-first mentality. Over the past 12 months, she has shown remarkable improvement through hard work and determination, earning the respect of teammates and coaches alike. She capped off an exceptional season by stroking the U19 CCSS crew to a gold medal victory at the U19 Female Australian Titles — a fantastic achievement and a reflection of her leadership, resilience, and commitment to excellence. Again, the club is in good hands.

• Male Boatie of the Year: Mitchell Renouf

The recipient of this year’s Male Boatie of the Year award, Mitch Renouf, has demonstrated exceptional commitment, leadership, and club spirit both on and off the water. As a dedicated sweep and coach, he played a significant role in guiding the U19 Girls crew to an Australian Final, while also willingly stepping in to sweep other crews whenever injuries left teams short-handed. Beyond competition, he consistently gives up his spare time to assist with boat repairs and support the wider club. His own rowing achievements were equally impressive, earning selection in the NSW ASRL State Team as part of the Men’s Reserve crew. Perhaps most memorable was his display of true sportsmanship and team spirit after the Australian Final, where despite defeat, he gathered his girls crew and led them straight to congratulate the CC’SS and proudly led the Club song in front of a large crowd — a moment that reflected outstanding character, leadership, and pride in the club.

• Female Masters Competitor of the Year: Angela Veschetti

• Male Masters Competitor of the Year: David Broadbent

• Nippers of the Year: Ziggy Walkaden & Felicity Jones

• Rookie of the Year: Dylan McMahon

  • Attended all rookie programs put on by the Branch as well as the club

  • Participated as an active patrolling person on his patrol

  • 21 patrol hours

  • Not the number 1 competitor but gets in and has a go

• Rescue of the Year: NYE RESCUE

Jane Gillings, Matilda Harvey, Stuart Harvey, Jason Lewis, Olive Morriss, Audrey Parker, Chris Parker, Tiziana Portese, Anthony Shaw, Phillip Webster, Sally Webster, Stella Webster, Nick Welch

• Patrol Team of the Year: The Patterson Patrol, PC Cassandra Patterson

Pat Bourke, Michael Bowyer, Oscar Gunn, Rachel Gunn, Chris Hill, Daniel Hill, Isabella Hill, Cameron Ireland, Supriya James-Naidu, Lucy Johnson, Roger Johnson, Dane Melcum, Deborah Morris, Jasmine Parker, Cassandra Patterson, Michael Shervington, Shaun Williamson

• Patrol Captain of the Year: George Ruzek

  • Holds many qualifications including Bronze Med, IRB Crew & Driver plus advanced resuscitation

  • Completed 39 hours on patrol this season only missing one rostered patrol

  • Is a great leader with a calm demeanour & valuable lifesaving skills.

• 25 Years Service National Medal:

Vincent Malone, Wendy Norman & Ian Wiseman (Patrol Service)

• 15 Years Service National Medal:

Anthony Bennett, Brett Beswick, Lindsay Cunningham, Andrew Duerden, Paul Hutchinson, Joseph Murray, Stan Priestley, Tony Wilson & Ian Wiseman

• 35+ Patrol Hours:

Bruce Allen, Nigel Ball,  Jason Barnes (100%), Grant Barrington (100%), Mitchell Beames, Stephen Bingham (100%), Pat Bourke, David Broadbent (100%), Fiona Broadbent (100%), Greg Byrne, Scott Champion, Belinda Clark, Garry Clarke (100%), Michael Clarke (100%), Peter Craik (100%),  Mark Davey, Jerome Drobot, Andrew Duerden, Michelle Eagles, Benjamin Faunce (100%), Mark Felton, Julie Fitzsimmons, Angela Forsythe, John Frendo, Brett Giles, John Graham (100%), Maddison Graham, Richard Green (100%), Zahra Green, Zae Greenwood, Stuart Harvey, Shona Hawkins (100%), Steven Hopley, Garth Hunter, Murray Iles (100%), Stuart Jackson, Mia Jamal, Lucy Johnson, Felicity Jones, Gordon Jones, Howard Jones (100%), Chris Josling (100%), Peter Kemp, Wayne Kemp (100%), Paul Kendall, Nicolas Kunzli, Jason Lauder (100%), Rhys Lindsay (100%), Darcy Lloyd-Phillips (100%), Vincent Malone, Liv Manser, Tor Manser, Linda Mansson Siverbrant (100%), James McIlquham, Zac McKay, Kristy McRae (100%), Sunny McRae (100%), Trent McRae, Elle Mitchell, Johnnie Mitchell (100%), Matthew Mitchell, Alan Moffitt (100%), Tom Morrow (100%), Graham Mowbray, Scott Mulally (100%), Joseph Murray (100%), Michelle Murray (100%), Shane Murray, Supriya Naidu-James, Zane Napton, Paul Nicholls, Wendy Norman, David O'Grady, Chris Parker, Lily Parker, Cassandra Patterson, Matt Penn (100%), George Ruzek, Sander Schellekens, Eleanor Shervington, Brett Smith, Jeffrey Smith, Jessica-Ellen Standen, Linda Van Hove (100%), Roberto Verolin, Angela Veschetti (100%), Mark Von-Kotze (100%), Sally Webster, Nick Welch (100%), Liza Whitfield, Esther Wilson, Ian Wiseman, Bae Wolters (100%), Jet Wolters (100%), Rocky Wolters (100%), Richard Youssef

• Radio Operator Certificate recipients:

Bodi Wolters

• Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate recipients:

Byron Benson, Belinda Clark, Jon Collins, Zae Greenwood, Garth Hunter, Michael Hunter, Mia Jamal, Lucy Johnson, Chris Josling, Kalani McRae, Michelle Mitchell, Janet Moore, Wendy Norman

• Silver Medallion Patrol Captain recipients:

Chris Josling

• Silver Medallion IRB Driver recipients:

Flynn Chadwick, Thomas Craik, Harvey Jager, Kalani McRae, Miller Robertson, Roberto Verolin, Phillip Webster, Jet Wolters

• IRB Crew Certificate recipients:

Luke Carmichael, Adam De Gruchy, Ajay De Gruchy, John Graham, Maddison Graham, Tony Shephard

• Bronze Medallion recipients:

Zach Adams, Michael Aldenhoven, Cooper Armstrong, Harvey Begg, Benjamin Branagan, Hannah Brewer, Tayla Campbell, Josephine Champion, Alexander Clark, Christian Coff, Blake Conwell, Hayley Dalton, Ajay De Gruchy, Tim Farrell, Tate Felton, Jarrad Flint, Brooke Grant, Michael Grant, Aaron Green, Chloe Hall, Tomas Hall, Ace Harvey, Brandon Hughes, Mia Jamal, Xavier Jamal, Josephine Kendal, Alexis Kunzli, Lauren Marsh, Billy McCarthy, Oliver McDonald, Bill McMahon, Jimmy Miller, Cameron Peoples, Cameron Pitts, Leah Pulley, Tristan Reed, Matthew Schulz, Elliana Shiers, Euan Smyth, Michelle Stone, Nina Tahhan, Lucy Tamblyn, Niklas Tapper, Oscar Uglow, Lee-Anne Van Den Berg, Soraya Verolin, Luka Wakefield, Nicholas Wilding, Jack Wiseman, Amy Woods