Wanda SLSC News – Wanda Surf Life Saving Club

WANDA’S 10TH ANNUAL TRADIES ONE CLUB SURF CARNIVAL

What a weekend on the sand! Wanda Surf Life Saving Club proudly hosted our biggest One Club Carnival yet — marking ten years of surf, sand, and community spirit.

Over 1,500 competitors hit the beach on Saturday for the 10th Annual Tradies Wanda One Club Carnival, with events running from sunrise to the final whistle. From Surf Boats to March Past, Iron events to Inclusive races, the day showcased the full breadth of surf lifesaving — and the power of One Club pride.
As part of the World Ocean Series (WOS) season opener, the competition was fierce, but the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and smiles were even stronger. Generations raced side by side — from Under 8s to Masters — celebrating what makes our surf club community so special.

To see the photo gallery of the day click here.

President Fiona Sutton interviewed on the Sideline Eyes show on 2SSR FM

In the lead-up to the Tradies One Club Carnival, our President Fiona Sutton joined the Sideline Eyes radio show on 2SSR FM on Sunday night to chat all things Carnival — from preparations to the excitement building around our 80th season.

Fiona also spoke about our education programs and shared a follow-up on the Tradies Sutherland to Surf, recognising the outstanding efforts of our volunteers and their contribution to the community.

It’s shaping up to be a big year ahead as Wanda celebrates 80 years of surf lifesaving, community, and club pride.

Catch the replay here.

Tune in every Sunday night for local sporting news.

2025 AGM

Thank you to all members and distinguished guests who attended our 79th Annual General Meeting on Sunday 13 July. It was great to see so many members and guests supporting our club and our members successes.

Ben Harris was elevated to Life Membership in recognition of his significant contribution to Wanda.

Congratulations to our Service Awards recipients. It was a special moment to posthumously honour Beryl Iredale by presenting her 70 year pin to her family.

Special thanks to our 3 outgoing Board members Anne Caterson OAM, Greg Pierce and Brett Thatcher for their incredible service and we welcomed the 25/26 Board of Directors.

In Wanda tradition we celebrated Solly’s next lap around the sun – some 93 years.

2025 PRESENTATION NIGHT

2024–25 was another outstanding season for Wanda SLSC, and what better way to wrap it up than with an unforgettable Presentation Night!

It was fantastic to see the room full and buzzing with energy as we came together to celebrate as one club. The evening was a true reflection of a hugely successful year — across lifesaving, surf sports, and volunteering.

A big congratulations to all our award winners! Your dedication, effort, and spirit embody what it means to be part of Wanda. Special shout-out to Grant Sandstrom, recipient of the CV Forshaw Most Consistent Member Award — a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering commitment throughout the season.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the night such a success — from organisers and volunteers to everyone who came along to share in the celebration.

Check out the photos and award winners here

CRONULLA WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025

Congratulations to Wanda’s President Fiona Sutton who has been named Cronulla Woman of the Year!

This is a great recognition for her contribution to the nipper program, surf lifesaving, leadership roles and her volunteer service in our local community.

“Fiona is a remarkable leader who has quietly made a difference to life in the Sutherland Shire over many years,” MP for Cronulla Mark Speakman said.

Congratulations Fiona. You are an inspiration to us all.

CRONULLA SENIOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025

Wanda’s Patron Emeritus Ernest “Solly” Stephens OAM was awarded his certificate as a finalist in the 2025 Cronulla Senior of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to Wanda SLSC over the last 73 years. Solly was proudly accompanied by Wanda President Fiona Sutton and Wanda Patron Mark Sargeant.

Presented by Mark Speakman, he cited the many leadership roles Solly has filled over that time, his contribution as an official over 67 years at the Australian Championships and the legacy he created through the Japanese exchange program.

Mark said “his commitment to Wanda was unparallelled. He is a living legend of Wanda and his lifetime service to Wanda and Surf Lifesaving more broadly makes him an iconic figure. Congratulations”.

WANDA’S CONNECTION WITH JAPAN

We thank Wanda Life Member, Tait Brannock, for contacting us this week to highlight Wanda’s connection with Japan, and in particular with our sister club, Yugawara LSC! It is timely for us to reflect on the wonderful Japanese exchange program that Patron Emeritus, Ernest “Solly” Stephens, established at Wanda.

Tait wrote:

“For those who may not know, Wanda’s connection with Japanese lifesaving dates back to the 1980s when a group of Japanese lifesavers studied Bate Bay lifesaving techniques, I remembered a few of the old Wanda members not too keen to have this Japanese contingent visit.

Thankfully a bond was formed in 1990 when Kentaro Yamashita arrived to stay at the club, leading to a lasting friendship with Yugawara LSC, their adoption of our club cap and leading to many of their members gaining their bronze and patrolling at Wanda. Over the years, many Wanda members patrolled in Japan during their summers.”

In December we had a couple of Japanese families visit Solly to relive those wonderful memories. This weekend, Kentaro Yamahsita has returned to Wanda to visit Solly. Let’s make Kentaro feel very welcome.

Wanda is extremely proud of the legacy created by Solly. It is a rich part of our history and one that should be celebrated.

If you see Solly around the club, say hi and sit down with him for a chat. He has so many stories to tell about Wanda, lifesaving and the Japanese program.

A few pics that reflect some of those wonderful times are found here >>

INAUGURAL WoW DAY (WOMEN OF WANDA)

WoW! What an amazing day we had celebrating our inaugural WOW (Women of Wanda) Day event!

A big thank you to everyone who attended our WoW day and also to our lovely group of women who volunteered on patrol to start the day – WoW!

WoWs, CoWs or whatever you like to refer to yourselves as, we do hope you found the day both inspiring and enjoyable, and that it enabled greater connections with fellow members.

We’d love to hear your feedback on the event! Please take a few minutes to complete our post-event survey and let us know what you thought, what you enjoyed, and any suggestions you may have for future events. Provide your feedback here >> https://form.jotform.com/250338109602854

We know that many of you really loved seeing some of the old photos that were displayed on the screen. You can access the slide show via this link! >> https://youtu.be/CVC9B_CfMnY

Thank you once again for making it such a special day, and we look forward to next year already.

Photos >>

GREG ALLUM AM – COMMANDER, ORDER OF LIFESAVING

Greg Allum AM has been awarded the highest honour of Commander in the Order of Lifesaving.

The award was initiated in December 2023 with the appointment of five Commanders:

Dr Harald VERVAECKE PhD (Belgium),
John MARTIN MBE (Great Britain – Surf),
Jelle MEINTSMA (South Africa),
B. Chris BREWSTER (USA – USLA); and
Greg ALLUM AM (Australia – Surf)
A sixth Commander (Peter GEORGE AM [Australia – Surf]) was appointed in May 2024.

The Minimum qualification is any person who has given extraordinary service to the ILS and/or its Regions over a period of years in a voluntary capacity as an officer, a Member of the Board of Directors, or a Member of a Commission/Committee. Such a person must, at a minimum, have served ILS, WLS or FIS in such a capacity for a period of no less than twenty (20) years and must have served as a Member of an ILS member organisation/federation for no less than twenty-five (25) years.

Congratulations Greg.

YOUTH MEMBER OF THE MONTH – SEPTEMBER 2024
IMOGEN PORTEOUS

Imogen Porteous is always putting up her hand to help. Immogen was a huge help at the gear inspection and also backed up the next day to help out with the preparations for the boat launch and unveiling of the new SSV (thanks to IMB Bank). Imogen did a great job reading the Lifesavers Prayer at the event.

Imogen is a keen and very helpful patrol member who obtained 100% patrol attendance last season and is a very well-deserving recipient of our first Youth Member of the Month and has just picked up a $50 Betty’s Burgers Voucher nom nom nom!

Older Posts

Wanda’s Volunteers have been saving lives since 1946 – Check out the August edition of Wanda What’s Happening? here >>