Wanda SLSC News – Wanda Surf Life Saving Club

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!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
14 July 2024

Thank you to all members and distinguished guests, Cr. Carmelo Pesce – The Mayor, The Hon. Simon Kennedy MP, Federal Member for Cook (MHR) and Cr Carol Provan OAM – Deputy Mayor who attended our 78th Annual General Meeting on Sunday 14 July. It was great to see so many members and guests supporting our club and our members successes.

The lifesavers prayer was read by Nipper Captains Estelle Slater and Max Bowmer and a minutes’ silence was observed for those members we lost during the past year.

It was adopted that Ernest ‘Solly’ Stephens OAM be elevated to the honorary title of Emeritus Patron for his commitment, dedication and passion to the role of Patron for Wanda SLSC for the last 26 years.

It was adopted that Mark ‘Sarge’ Sargeant be recognised for the position of Patron, and he accepted the position graciously.

It was also adopted that the following life members be recognised as Senior Vice Patrons – Gary Bradshaw, Gordon McKirdy, Greg Allum AM and Michael Brannock OAM.

The 2023/24 annual report was received and copies are available from the office or you can download a digital version here.

Congratulations to our 25, 30, 40 and 60 year long service members.

The new Board of Wanda has been elected, with three new members:

President – Fiona Sutton
Vice President – David Gumley (new)
Senior Vice President – Grant Sandstrom (new)
Director of Finance – Anne Caterson OAM
Director of Administration – Donna Brown (new)
Club Captain – Denny Rowlands
Director of Lifesaving – Glenn Bell
Director of Education – Lachlan Black
Director of Surf Sports – Greg Pierce
Director of Facilities – Brett Thatcher
Director of Member Services – Natalie Buckley
Chairperson – JAG – Dean Slater
Director of Youth – Lisa Zammit

Once again we were thrilled to wrap up the meeting with a 92 year birthday celebration for Emeritus Patron Ernest “Solly” Stephens OAM.

2024 WANDA PRESENTATION NIGHT

Wow, what a night Wanda! The annual Presentation Night recognises excellence in surf life saving and surf sports, so we rolled out the red carpet, called in the paparazzi and awarded many members who went over and above in the 23/24 season.

Congratulations to all winners on the evening, with special mention to Kaylene Walker, our Director of Administration, who was a deserving winner of the prestigious, CV Forshaw award.

Major Award Winners

CV Forshaw Award – Kaylene Walker
Lifesaver of the Year – Mark Dunham
Junior Lifesaver of the Year – Sienna Dunham
The Golden Cap – Glenn Bell
Member Services Award – Larry Leabeater

Thanks to hosts Fiona Sutton – President, Denny Rowlands – Captain and Greg Pierce – Director of Surf Sports and our Presentation Night Committee for organising a fabulous evening. JAG Captains Estelle and Max commenced the evening with the Lifesavers’ Prayer.

We were delighted to share our successes with our supportive Members of Parliament – Simon Kennedy (Member for Cook), Hon. Mark Speakman (State Member for Cronulla and Leader of the Opposition), Eleni Petinos (State Member for Cronulla) as well as Carmelo Pesce (Sutherland Shire Council Mayor) and Carol Provan (Sutherland Shire Council Deputy Mayor). We always enjoy their company and thank them for assisting in presenting the many awards.

Thank you also to our Wanda Life Members and our Trophy Donors who celebrated with us and continue to support our club and it’s members.

We presented our long-serving and much-loved Patron, Ernest “Solly” Stephens with a plaque of honour for his service in the role for 26 years – an incredible tenure. He is an iconic figure not only in Wanda but across all levels of Surf Lifesaving, and we are delighted that he will be elevated to Patron Emeritus at our AGM in July. Thank you Solly – you are a true legend of Wanda.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of Life Membership and Australian Champion Blazers

Patrol 4B won the Show Trip competition and will be heading to slopes in September! Well done.

Congratulations team Wanda!

Link: 2024 Wanda Award Winners || Check out all the photos here!

CRONULLA SENIOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Congratulations to Wanda Life Member, Auxiliary Committee Sue Brannock who was a finalist for the Cronulla Senior of The Year Awards from the office of Mark Speakman, MP for Cronulla. The awards recognise volunteer seniors for the contribution they make to our community and are part of the annual NSW Seniors Festival held from 11 to 24 March.

Sue was invited as a Finalist to attend the Presentation of Awards on Monday 11 March at Cronulla Central Hall with special guest Bronnie Taylor, Shadow Minister for Seniors and was proudly accompanied by her sister Dianne, daughter Katie Spinner and our President Fiona Sutton.

Sue received a Certificate for her outstanding contribution to Wanda as a member of the Auxiliary Committee and an active member of the ‘Sutherland 2 Surf’ Organising Committee for over 28 years. Well done Sue.