Coalcliff SLSC wins patrolling Club of the Year through innovation and dedication

Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club has been named Illawarra Surf Life Saving's Patrolling Club of the Year at the recent SLS Illawarra Awards of Excellence.

The award recognises years of effort to improve swimmer safety through strong patrol operations; innovative training pathways and a culture built on preparation and prevention. Coalcliff has earned a reputation for innovation, combining patrol excellence with a strong and vibrant club culture.

Supported entirely by volunteers, members dedicate countless hours to training, equipment maintenance and patrol preparation, ensuring the highest standards of supervision between the flags.

It is a whole club effort supported by five dedicated patrol teams led by Patrol Captains Callum Guyatt, Nathan Bourne, Rob Deacon, Barry Allen and Craig Picker. Together, they coordinate the efforts of more than 80 active volunteer patrolling members.

Behind every patrol is an extensive training operation. Chief Training Officer Dave Winner, alongside Peter Cugaly, Barry Allen and Ed Farrell, has overseen the development of a steady stream of new Surf Rescue Certificate holders, Bronze Medallion members, First Aid operators, Advanced Resuscitation technicians, and IRB drivers and crew. Their work ensures the club not only maintains its capability but is continually strengthening it.

Coalcliff's commitment to innovation extends beyond the beach.

This season the club introduced an Individual Patrollers Three-Year Training Plan, a member development initiative recognised by Surf Life Saving NSW as best practice and shared with clubs across the state. The program allows members to map their qualifications and goals over three years, improving retention, leadership development, and future operational planning.

The club has also become a leader in inclusion. Through partnerships with Endeavour Sports High School and John Edmondson High School, Coalcliff's "Surf Life Saving Dreams Take Flight" program introduces disadvantaged young people from south-west Sydney to surf awareness and beach safety skills.

In another groundbreaking initiative, Coalcliff partnered with Cocky Guides Australia to launch the Blind and Low Vision Patrol Capability Program, creating the first pathway in Surf Life Saving NSW for blind and low-vision participants to become qualified radio operators.

Operational readiness remains another hallmark of the club's success. The Beach Set Up Team, led by Club Captain Rob Deacon with gear stewards Frank Perfect and Jim Dalmer, ensures every piece of equipment is inspected ready and set up before patrols begin. Their attention to detail was recognised by Illawarra Surf Life Saving as a feature that distinguished Coalcliff from many other clubs this season. Bill McWilliam’s work as powercraft coordinator is invaluable behind the scenes in supporting these efforts.

Coalcliff's Kurrawa Outreach Patrol program continued to strengthen the club's reputation for patrolling excellence. Ten youth patrollers opened the season with a four-day patrol at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, developing confidence, teamwork and lifesaving skills in challenging surf conditions.

Following its success, the club plans to continue the program next season with patrols at North Kirra, North Bondi and Queenscliff. The initiative is helping retain young patrollers, develop future leaders and build lifelong friendships.

The club also continues to deliver a unique calendar of community and surf lifesaving events that provide valuable opportunities for members to develop and practise their skills in real-world operational settings.

The Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Ocean Swim attracted more than 100 competitors this season and continues to grow as one of the Northern Illawarra's premier ocean swimming events. The Lifeguard Challenge is another unique event, which brings together elite professional ocean lifeguards from NSW council lifeguard services to compete against each other in an 'iron person' style event.

The club's flagship family event, the Bridge to Boatshed Run, brings together nippers, active members and families while showcasing the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge. The Rod Stevens Memorial Paddle, which follows the coastline to the southern end of the bridge and back, will include a short-course event for nippers next season.

Completing the picture is the continued success of the Coalcliff SLSC Ocean Swim Club coordinated by Brigid Collaery and proudly sponsored by Equilibrium Healthcare.

This season saw the program expand through a new partnership with Helensburgh Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club, providing supervised ocean swims at both Coalcliff and Stanwell Park. The swim club is helping to improve community health, wellbeing and ocean confidence while strengthening connections between the club and the communities it serves.

Under the leadership of Nippers Captain Chris Farmer and his wife, Beth Farmer, the club's Nippers program continues to thrive. Their dedication and hard work have helped build a strong and vibrant program from Under 5s through to Under 14s, creating a welcoming environment for young members and their families.

As participation continues to grow, so too does the club's future strength, providing a steady pathway of young members who will become the next generation of active patrollers, leaders and volunteers while strengthening the club's social fabric.

The club's excellence was further highlighted when Anne-Maree Connolly was named Support Operations Member of the Year for her work with UAV drones, supporting search and rescue operations, surveillance patrols, and the training of new drone operators. The club also provides nine jet ski operators as members of Illawarra Support Operations.

In the wider community, the club has continued its successful partnership with Coledale RSL to present live music events featuring some of Australia's and the Illawarra's finest musicians. Performers including Jim Moginie, The Strides, Ray Beadle and Sally King have entertained hundreds of people from across the region, further strengthening the club's connection with the community while showcasing outstanding local and national talent.

All these achievements have been made possible through the support of a dedicated and hard-working committee led by the club's energetic president, James McFarlane, whose leadership, enthusiasm and commitment continue to drive the club forward.

Now in its 103rd year, Coalcliff SLSC continues to demonstrate that a small volunteer club can achieve extraordinary outcomes through innovation, inclusion, and an unwavering commitment to keeping people safe between the flags.

If you would like to become involved in the club go to the club’s website or email secretary@coalcliffslsc.com.au, we would love you to join us.