Trainer of the Year Nominees

Bridget Riggs

Darwin SLSC, NT

Bridget has successfully run multiple SRC and Bronze medallion courses over the past season. She is actively involved in recruitment and training of young members, and has a unique skill in identifying members with skills and experience and helping them grow and develop. Bridget is selfless in the time she gives to her club and its members.

Bernadette Flint

Mullaloo SLSC, WA

Bernadette’s commitment to Mullaloo and neighbouring club, Yanchep is shown through her training and skills development of others.  Implementing a Youth Trainers program, mentoring fellow members allowing them to follow a training pathway and offering the wider community first aid and CPR are just a few of the many initiatives Bernadette has been involved with.  Travelling to Bali with the Mullaloo Education team for the past five years, she has gained her International Trainers and Assessors Certificates with ILS.

Stephanie Prendergast

Burnie SLSC, TAS

Holding the position of Chief Instructor for Burnie, Stephanie trains and assesses across a range of awards – ARTC, SRC, BM, IRBC and IRBD.  Making herself available to train people at more convenient times, Stephanie provided weekday, weekend and school holiday sessions across two different beaches offering as many opportunities to as many candidates as possible.  Working closely with Bernie and other North West clubs, Stephanie’s commitment has been extremely positive in terms of members patrolling and competing for the Club.

Cass Norton

Beachport SLSC, SA

Cass’s flexible, innovative, organised and engaging method of training has not only strengthened her own club but assisted both Robe and the Victorian club, Portland.  Her commitment has seen a doubling of the number of BM holders over the last few years which has kept the Club going.  Cass is especially encouraging towards younger members, supporting them to engage effectively in training.  The inclusive way Cass leads the training area encourages others to follow in her footsteps, providing a positive future for surf lifesaving.

Joel Farrow

Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club, Inc. LSV

Joel is the Director of Training and Development for Williamstown. He was a key driver in planning and setting up a Youth Involvement Program to address an ongoing gap in member development and retention within the Club. Joel always encourages others to be involved in the Club and lifesaving, and ensures their experience is as positive as possible. His involvement in the recent National Leadership College indicates his commitment to the future.

Doug Hawkins

Coogee SLSC, NSW

As the lead trainer on five SLS courses this season 3 x BM, 1 x SRC of 80+, 1 x Resus resulting in 150 new lifesavers to CSLSC in one season. In addition, Doug delivered six community education sessions to over 200 people/students on beach safety. Putting his training expertise towards the development of the Garie Vanguard Project, enabled Garie to increase its active membership by 30%. Doug’s holistic approach is to teach and encourage people to become Surf Lifesavers, this results in skilled patrolling members making the beach a safer place.

Rupert Anisimoff

Noosa Heads SLSC, QLD

Acquiring his Training Officer, BM in 2019 Rupert has excelled in selflessly assisting the club on numerous occasions dedicating a tremendous amount of time and effort to the training team. Rupert is also involved in teaching school groups with the Noosa Heads Community Education program and is also a coach for the Clubs Nipper program. A natural talent for training and education, Rupert is the epitome of Vigilance and Service.