Sixteen of the state’s best Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) lifeguards have been recognised as we prepare to crown the 2024 Lifeguard of the Year at the SLSNSW Awards of Excellence on Saturday 24 August.
A further four Rookies will also be acknowledged this year as our exceptional up-and-coming lifeguards are rewarded for their outstanding efforts on the beach.
The NSW Awards of Excellence ceremony is a chance to shine a light on those who contribute so much to the organisation, and the Lifeguard of the Year category rewards those who made their mark within their council region during the 23/24 season.
Two of the best names in the business headline the nominees this year – Ricardo Prado Oliviera will represent the Byron Shire and Maximillian Navarette is the nominee for Bega.
Having picked up the contract once again for 23/24, Eurobodalla will be represented by 19-year-old first-year lifeguard, Nina Thorne – a Broulee Surfers SLSC member – who stood out over the short six-week contracted period during summer.
Second year lifeguard, Izaac Boag has been an outstanding contributor to the Mid Coast contract and will represent the region this year. A talented surf sports competitor with Black Head SLSC, his links to surf safety are strong and well-developed.
Among the other finalists are the Ballina’s Lily Murphy, Port Stephens lifeguard, Angus Tonks, who over the summer mentored a local Worimi family in surf safety, and senior Far North Coast lifeguard, John Plenkovich, who will stand as the nominee for the ALS’s Water Events.
“We’re very proud of the crop of lifeguards we have across the state and these 16 nominees are just a small cross-section of the incredible people who patrol our coastline every year,” said ALS Manager, Chris O’Rorke.
“Our lifeguards provide an essential service to 18 council regions, and they spend so much time being vigilant and focussing on surf safety. We love getting the opportunity to highlight the work they do and play our part in giving back to them for their efforts.”
On the night, the winner will be selected between Lily Murphy from Ballina and Nick Rickwood from Port Macquarie, who progressed through as the two finalists.
The four Rookies up for recognition this year are Isabella Tate from the Tweed Shire, Daniela Berti Carrabs from Byron, Jett Nikas from Clarence and Jonny Grainger on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
“Rookie Lifeguards play a vital role on our beaches across the state as a supplementary resource. Additionally, it gives them a chance to gain hands on experience and exposure to what will hopefully be a long career on the beach,” O’Rorke added.
2024 NOMINEES
• Bailey Copeland, Tweed
• Ricardo Prado Oliveira, Byron
• Lily Murphy, Ballina
• Matthew Worthington, Clarence
• Dominique Byrt, Bellingen / Nambucca
• Maurice Wallis, Kempsey
• Nicholas Rickwood, Port Macquarie
• Izaac Boag, Mid Coast
• Angus Tonks, Port Stephens
• Arch Whiteman, Northern Beaches
• Luke White, Royal National Park
• Ben McCulkin, Frazer
• Lucia Nolan, Shoalhaven
• Maximillian Navarrete, Bega
• Nina Thorne, Eurobodalla
• John Plenkovich, Water Events
Tuesday 20 August 2024