Recognising our Members' Achievements
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA)
values the contribution made to the movement by its members. Previously, there has been a
range of awards that are available for clubs to use to recognise their members. These have been
consolidated into a member recognition framework, to make it easier for clubs to apply for the appropriate awards for their members.
The SLSA recognition framework consists of the following awards:
SLSA Honours:
Life Membership
President's Medal
Sustained Service Certificate
Long Service Award
National Patrol Service Award
Officiating Service Certificate
Assessing Service Certificate
Coaching Service Certificate
Meritorious Award
Commendation
National Medal
The Order of Surf Life Saving
Australian Council Certificate
Certificate of Appreciation
SLSA Hall of Fame
National Innovation Award
Surf Lifesaver of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Lifeguard of the Year
Club of the Year
Surf Sports Official of the Year
Surf Sports Coach of the Year
Surf Sports Athlete of the Year
Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship
ILS CitationsIn addition to these awards, numerous award schemes outside of SLSA are also available for the recognition of our members. These include:
Australian Honours
EMA Safer Communities Awards
Emergency Service Commendations
SLSA Honours
Members of SLSA may be recommended for an SLSA Honourif they have rendered service to SLSA over a period of at least twenty (20) years. For each individual award, this service must have been:
Life Membership: Distinguished Service that is both sustained and conspicuous
President's Medal: Significant and outstanding service
Sustained Service Certificate: Sustained and committed serviceElligibility
At least twenty (20) years of distinguished service.
Candidates shall be nominated in writing on the appropriate form by the President or by two (2) members of SLSA.Nominations after being confirmed by the club/branch are to be forwarded to the relevant State Centre which will confirm the details provided. It shall then be the responsibility of the State Director to submit the nomination to the SLSA Honours Committee. The Honours Committee will then meet and make a recommendation on all nominations to the Australian Council. The Australian Council will review these recommendations in February and August each year.
Any member awarded an SLSA Honour shall be recorded in the minutes of that Australian Council meeting. Formal acknowledgement of recipients of Life Membership of SLSA to be forwarded by the President. The Directors of the Australian Council are to be the only persons present for discussion and resolution of SLSA honours recommendations.
Application Process
Form 51 to be completed. Application to follow the approval process as outlined above.
A full list of SLSA Life Members can be found on this website.
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Long Service Award
SLSA has Long Service Awards, to recognise members for their sustained membership of surf lifesaving.These Long Service Awards are award for:
SLSA 25 years Long Service
SLSA 30 years Long Service
SLSA 40 years Long Service
SLSA 50 years Long Service
SLSA 60 years Long Service
SLSA 70 years Long Service
SLSA 75 years Long ServiceEligibility
Members of SLSA may be awarded the SLSA Long Service Award under the following conditions:
The Award may be issued after the respective years' membership of SLSA
Years of membership shall commence from the date of joining an Affiliated Club or a Ladies Auxiliary or former junior surf lifesaving association(s) but not earlier than the age to become eligible to obtain SLSA's Surf Rescue Certificate, whichever shall be the later date. Where the years of membership are not continuous they shall be aggregated.
The details of the members qualifying for the award shall include their Bronze Medallion number or proof of date of joining an Affiliated Club, Ladies Auxiliary or former junior surf lifesaving association(s).Application Process
Form 42 is to be completed, endorsed appropriately, and forwarded to the respective State Centre.
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National Patrol Service Award
SLSA has established National Patrol Service Certificates, which are available to members of Affiliated Clubs in recognition of their long service to lifesaving patrols.These Patrol Service Awards are classified as follows:
SLSA 10 year National Patrol Service Certificate
SLSA 15 year National Patrol Service Certificate
SLSA 20 year National Patrol Service Certificate
SLSA 25 year National Patrol Service Certificate
SLSA 30 year National Patrol Service Certificate
SLSA 35 year National Patrol Service Certificate
SLSA 40 year National Patrol Service Plaque
SLSA 45 year National Patrol Service Plaque
SLSA 50 year National Patrol Service PlaqueElligibility
Subject to Bulletins, issued from time to time, persons eligible for these certificates are members who hold one or more qualifications in the following award streams - patrolling lifesaver, emergency care or radio and who have actively assisted with patrol obligations. In the case of Award members, eligibility for the patrol service award shall commence from the date of obtaining the relevant certificate. Note: Years of patrol service may be calculated from the Surf Rescue Certificate or the years of patrol as an active cadet.
It is not possible to accumulate ‘double years’ of patrol service by completing full patrols with a special service i.e. jet boats, helicopters etc as well as club beach patrol in one year. The person must have personally completed a 100% patrol service relevant to their membership category for that season with a minimum of 16 hours being completed per season.
Definition of a “patrol” shall include:
Rostered Beach Patrol
Rostered Powercraft Patrol i.e. Jet Boat, ORB, Jet Ski
Rostered HRS Patrol
Rostered Radio Patrol or Radio Room DutyNote: You cannot redeem Water Safety Hours as part of the Patrol Service Award unless part of a rostered patrol under the direction of the patrol captain.
A successfully completed patrol must have been undertaken in full accordance with the obligations and regulations of the organisation as well as the Club/Service concerned.
The member must have successfully completed the prescribed annual proficiency test for the Club/Service.
(Any) Absence from the Club/Service for approved leave of absence or other exemption from patrol duty shall not be credited to the acquiring of the Patrol Service Award. However, the credit of years of service can be recommenced when resuming full patrol duty and will then be accumulative to the previous total of 100% patrol years.
If correctly documented and verified by the appropriate Officer of a member’s club/s, then years of full patrol duty with one or more clubs can be accumulated to arrive at the total of years for the patrol service award.
Application Process (revision)
Form 15 has been updated to streamline the process so that SLSA can efficiently and quickly process the awards.
Form 15 needs to be completed, endorsed by the club and sent to SLSA. Clubs must also process each new award in Surfguard. It is the responsibility of each club to ensure that this step is completed. SLSA will not process the award unless a new award request is waiting in Surfguard.
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Assessing, Officiating and Coaching Service Certificates
SLSA has established Service Certificates, which are available to members of Affiliated Clubs in recognition of their long service as examiners/assessors, officials and coaches.These National Service Certificates are issued for:
SLSA 10 years of service
SLSA 15 years of service
SLSA 20 years of service
SLSA 25 years of service
SLSA 30 years of service
SLSA 40 years of service
SLSA 50 years of serviceIn any of the three categorised identified above (ie. coaching / officiating / assessing)
Eligibility
Persons eligible for these awards are:
Members, whose period of service begins from their initial recognition as the holder of a qualification in the areas of assessing, competition officiating or coaching.
Where the years of membership are not continuous they shall be aggregated.
Applicants must fulfil the active membership requirements for their respective Board of Lifesaving/Surf Sports and receive endorsement from this board.
Application process
Form 387 is to be completed, and endorsed appropriately, then forwarded to the respective State Centre. The details of the members qualifying for the award shall include their award number and date of obtaining the award.
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Meritorious Award
Meritorious Awards can be awarded to affiliated clubs and/or their members and/or the public for outstanding deeds of bravery performed in the sphere of operations of SLSA (lifesaving - both in and outside of designated patrol hours).Awards are established in two sections, each divided into three grades, as follows:
Individual Award
Silver Medallion
Bronze Medallion
Certificate of MeritGroup or Club Award
Certificate of Merit with Silver Medallion inset
Certificate of Merit with Bronze Medallion inset
Certificate of MeritNote: The State Centre Meritorious Awards Committee may be required to assist in the investigation and application process.
Application Process
The following documents are required with each nomination:
The "Application for Commendation or Meritorious Award" form (Form 26 )
The SLSA Incident Report Form (if relevant)
Other supporting statements e.g. Police, Ambulance and/or witness statementsInformation or reports of rescues are also welcome from media agencies.
This information should be faxed to Surf Life Saving Australia on (02) 9130 8312, as soon as possible after the rescue.
Information about recent meritorious award recipients as well as a full register of all Meritorious Awards issued by SLSA can also be found on this website.
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Commendation
Commendations recognise outstanding team work, rescue skills, rescue management, individual displays of initiative and resourcefulness, and well conducted rescue activity (e.g. first aid, resuscitation, IRB rescues, board and tube rescues etc) by members of Surf Life Saving Australia.Around Australia on each summer weekend and outside regular patrolling hours, there are a number of rescues carried out. While most are considered routine there are some that are considered "exceptional". This recognition award includes rescues or application of lifesaving skills by club members in exceptional circumstances on or off the beach, e.g. resuscitation of a person struck by lightning.
This award will be presented on an ongoing basis to lifesavers involved in these exceptional rescues. After consideration, a Commendation may be awarded to an individual or group, club or service.
Recipients of a Commendation are not excluded from nominating for a Meritorious Award.
Note: Rescues can occur at any time - on and off duty and at any location.
The National President and National Director of Lifesaving issue each Commendation on certificate parchment.
Application Process
The following documents are required with each nomination:
The "Application for Commendation or Meritorious Award" form (Form 26 );
The SLSA Incident Report Form (if relevant);
Other supporting statements e.g. Police, Ambulance and/or witness statementsInformation or reports of rescues are also welcome from media agencies.
This information should then be faxed to Surf Life Saving Australia on (02) 9130 8312, as soon as possible after the rescue.
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National Medal
The National Medal was established by the Commonwealth Government of Australia in 1975 as one of the original elements of the distinctive Australian system of honours and awards. The medal recognises long service in organisations that protect life and property at some risk to their members. The commencement date of eligible service for SLSA is 18 September 1986.Eligibility
This award recognises the long service (minimum 15 years) of members /employees of SLSA as:
Rescue helicopter pilots; or
Rescue helicopter aircrew; or
Jet/Offshore rescue boat skippers; or
Jet/Offshore rescue boat drivers; or
Jet/Offshore rescue boat crew; or
Operational members of emergency response groups; or
'Patrol members'.
Patrol members' for the purposes of the determination will be active members (including Reserve Active and Long Service) of Surf Life Saving Australia who:
meet the requirements of the annual proficiency test for SLSA Bronze Medallion for each year of eligible service; and
have completed the minimum rostered beach patrols hours for each year of service or as a minimum 30 hours in each year of service.Service by a member of SLSA as a cadet member or junior activities member will not be recognised as eligible service for the medal.
Years of service in another approved organisaiton may be aggregated with service to SLSA in line with the medal guidelines.
Application Process
Applications for the National Medal are to be submitted to SLSA on Form Form 12 .
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The Order of Surf Life Saving
An award in the Order of Surf Life Saving is available to individuals or corporations in recognition of their contributions as benefactors.An award in the Order of Surf Life Saving is to be in the following four categories dependent on the size of the financial donation or bequest:
Campanion in the Order of Surf Life Saving
Fellow in the Order of Surf Life Saving
Member in the Order of Surf Life Saving
Associate in the Order of Surf Life SavingAuthority to award one of the Orders of Surf Life Saving is delegated to the President and/or Australian Council.
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Australian Council Certificate
This certificate is awarded for outstanding service or support at a national level 'By Resolution of the Australian Council'. The resolution should identify distinguished service or support by the individual or organisation receiving the certificate.Nomination for the award shall be submitted by national or State Centre officers and should be placed on the Agenda of a Council meeting for discussion and final resolution. The certificate shall be presented in such a manner as to attract maximum media and SLSA recognition.
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Certificate of Appreciation
This certificate recognises outstanding service or support that is beyond that which is to be expected of a member, non-member, company or group.This certificate shall require a recommendation from a State Centre or SLSA Director or Officer and subsequent endorsement by the SLSA President and/or CEO. The nominating body shall present the certificate.
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SLSA Hall of Fame
Recognition and induction into the SLSA Hall of Fame is available to members of Affiliated Clubs in recognition of their contribution in three (3) primary areas:
Surf Lifesaving
Surf Lifesaving - Administration
Surf Lifesaving - SportInduction into the SLSA Hall of Fame can be made under the following conditions:
The Australian Council will consider nominations for the Hall of Fame once per calendar year only.
Members of SLSA may submit nominations which should clearly set out the name, address and all relevant information of the person(s) being nominated including details of their membership on Form 38.
The nominations should address the history of the nominee and compliance with the criteria listed from time to time. Full use of multimedia and other supporting evidence or samples are permitted.
The decision of the Australian Council is final and absolutely no correspondence will be entered into.A full list of Hall of Fame inductees can be found on this website.
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National Innovation Award
In Surf Life Saving Australia's 75th Anniversary year the then National Council announced the ongoing scheme of Innovation Awards.An SLSA National Innovation Award is given to a person(s) or group(s) in recognition of any development of initiatives (eg policy, procdure, equipment) that in the opinion of the Council will improve any facet of surf lifesaving in Australia.
An SLSA National Innovation Award can be given under the following conditions:
A maximum of six (6) awards can be awarded in any one calendar year.
Members of SLSA may submit nominations which should clearly set out the name, address and all relevant information of the person(s) or group(s) being nominated including details of their membership. The nominations should state the nature of the subject, its considered benefit to SLSA and other pertinent details. Full use of multimedia and other supporting evidence or samples are permitted.
The decision of the Australian Council is final and absolutely no correspondence will be entered into.Application Process
Applications for the Innovation Award are to be submitted to SLSA on Form Form 45 .
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Surf Lifesaver of the Year
The Surf Lifesaver of the Year award is presented each year in recognition of excellence and commitment to patrolling. This is one of SLSA’s most prestigious awards. Nominations for these awards are called for in December of each year and selected in their respective state/territories. State/territory finalists are then entered in the Australian Lifesaver of the Year Awards.Information about the current National Surf Lifesaver of the Year can also be found on this website.
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Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year award is presented each year in recognition of excellence and commitment to administration. It is one of SLSA’s most prestigious awards. Nominations for these awards are called for in December of each year and selected in their respective state/territories. State/territory finalists are then entered in the Australian Volunteer of the Year Awards.Information about the current National Volunteer of the Year can also be found on this website.
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Lifeguard of the Year
The purpose of the Lifeguard of the Year award is to recognise and reward employees who have made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of Surf Life Saving Lifeguard Services. This program is aimed at Surf Life Saving Australia Lifeguards who are involved in the provision of frontline services and who can be presented as identifiable “Ambassadors” for Surf Life Saving. Any SLSA employed Lifeguards may lodge applications. Nominations for these awards are called for in December of each year and selected in their respective state/territories. Finalists are then chosen from these nominations to determine the Australian Lifeguard of the Year.Information about the current National Lifeguard of the Year can also be found on this website.
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Club of the Year
The Purpose of the SLSA Club of the Year is to encourage and recognise outstanding achievements in club development that results in SLSA clubs providing safer beach and aquatic environments for the community.Criteria
Clubs will demonstrate the use of a systematic improvement program that focuses on two or more of the following: Leadership; Planning; People; Member Focus; Overall Performance.
Clubs will demonstrate engagement of members in club operations, resulting in improved morale and retention.
Clubs will evidence achievements that support SLSA’s Saving Lives in the Water plan.
Clubs will demonstrate extended partnerships with external stakeholders.
Clubs demonstrate improved lifesaving services.
Clubs should demonstrate how they have accessed a continuous improvement programs such as the Australian Sports Commissions Club Development Network.Application Process
Each state is responsible for choosing a finalist for the SLSA Club of the Year. All finalists are required to provide a short presentation to the judging panel during the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
Information about the current SLSA Club of the Year can also be found on this website.
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Surf Sports Official of the Year
The Surf Sports Official of the Year award recognises and rewards the outstanding achievements of a Surf Sports Official, who has made a significant contribution to the area of officiating within Surf Life Saving. This contribution is with regards to both the commitment shown to officiating over the calendar year and their contribution towards officials educational development. Nominations for these awards are called for in December of each year and selected in their respective state/territories. State/territory finalists are then judged for the National Surf Sports Official of the Year.Information about the current National Surf Sports Official of the Year can also be found on this website.
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Surf Sports Coach of the Year
The Surf Sports Coach of the Year award recognises and rewards those coaches who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the area of coaching within Surf Life Saving. This contribution is to both athlete/s performances and the area of coach educational development. Nominations for these awards are called for in December of each year and selected in their respective state/territories. State/territory finalists are then judged for the National Surf Sports Coach of the Year.Information about the current National Surf Sports Coach of the Year can also be found on this website.
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Surf Sports Athlete of the Year
The Surf Sports Athlete of the Year award recognises those athletes who have demonstrated sporting excellence in the area of surf sports within Surf Life Saving. Nominations for these awards are called for in December of each year and selected in their respective state/territories. State/territory finalists are then judged for the National Surf Sports Athlete of the Year.Information about the current National Surf Sports Athlete of the Year can also be found on this website.
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Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship
The Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship is presented to young surf lifesavers over the age of 21 who have demonstrated leadership ability, and who have the potential to increase their leadership skills in surf lifesaving. The scholars complete a face to face workshop and other activities throughout the duration of the scholarship.Applications for the Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship must be submitted on Form 10. This form will be made availabe when nominations are called each year.
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ILS Citations
According to ILS, the minimum criteria for the ILS Citation is:Any person who has contributed to the furtherance of lifesaving and the goals of ILS in a manner of enduring, global importance.
As a member nation, SLSA has the responsibility of nominating and issuing ILS citations to its individual members. In order to ensure that the members who deserve these awards are being appropriately recognised, SLSA has developed the following criteria and nomination timeline.
Criteria
1. The particular SLSA awards shall be automatically nominated for ILS citations:
The recipient of a meritorious award and/or commendation for bravery
National winners of Surf Lifesaver, Volunteer and Lifeguard of the year
SLSA Life Members
Individual winners of an SLSA Innovation Award2. In addition to these automatic nominations, the following individuals should also be eligible:
Members who have contributed to significant international projects and/or events or to national projects with international significance, should also be nominated for ILS citations. This could include the capacity building programs with developing nations, educational tours, the conduct of sporting events, etc.
Sponsors, Donors, Politicians that have made a significant contribution to the growth and sustainability of SLSA.Process
- March: Automatic nominations are generated and tabulated following the Australian Championships
- March: Nominations are called for nominations under the criteria listed in criteria 2above.
- April: SLSA Honours Committee meets to review Criteria 2 nominations.
- May: Honours Committee recommendations are ratified by the Australian Council and all nominees are submitted to ILS for the issue of the awards.
- Beyond May: SLSA will notify all ILS Citation recipients of their award.
- Beyond May: ILS Citations will be sent to states to be presented at an occasion appropriate to the level of the award.
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For further information: cgiles@slsa.asn.au
Page updated: February 2008