Georgie Wettenhall and Stafford Smith awarded Life Membership

 
 
 
Georgie Wettenhall (left) and Stafford Smith (right)

Georgie Wettenhall (left) and Stafford Smith (right)

Woolamai Beach SLSC recently held its 2019 AGM and two members were recognized for their commitment and service to the Club.

Georgie Wettenhall and Stafford Smith were awarded Life Membership.

Georgie has provided enormous service to the Club and has filled nearly every major Committee role in the Club: President, Director Admin & Finance, Club Captain, Chief Instructor, Patrol Captain.

In her role as President and Director of Administration & Finance Georgie has put in place structures still used by the current Club Board.

Georgie has won most of the Club’s significant awards.

She is also an amazing role model who is extremely generous with her time, particularly in mentoring and helping younger members.

As a training officer, Georgie has trained a generation of lifesavers including Bronze squads, SRC, Radio, Resuscitation & IRB

Plus multiple state AND Australian titles in IRB’s and Lifesaving events.

The first Victorian female to win a national Champion Lifesaver medal, won her first Aussie IRB title as a crew, at West Beach IRB Aussies - no Victorian female had won an Australian IRB title prior to this.

Georgie is also a highly accomplished competitor winning the Woolamai Beach SLSC Club Championship a record 7 times. after achieving her Bronze Medallion in 1992, she has been a patrolling member for over 28 years which includes an array of achievements such as:

  • Sir Charles McGrath Memorial Award for Outstanding Junior Member 1993/94

  • Darren Adams Memorial Award for Most Courageous Rescue 1996/97

  • Chief Instructor 1997/98 & 1998/99

  • Club Captain 2001/02 & 2002/03

  • President 2014/15, 2015/16

  • Director of Admin & Finance 2016/17

  • 7 time Club Champion (1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04)

  • Training Officer Bronze 1994, Radio 1996, Resuscitation 1999, IRB 2000, SRC 2002

Stafford has been awarded Life Membership for his introduction, development, and commitment to surf lifesaving school programs, and the remarkable impact he makes mentoring people.

Stafford first joined the club for the 1999/2000 season, the year our first Upwey High School Bronze squad became members of Woolamai.

Stafford has been involved with the club for over 20 years, running countless camps and events. His work through Upwey High has resulted in hundreds of new members for the Club, as well as hundreds of students learning the importance of beach safety. Stafford has sat on the Board, currently as vice-President, where he works to make effective and positive change within the club. Stafford is constantly looking for ways to make the Club a more fun and inclusive place, whether that be through social events or competitions such as Club Champs.

Without Georgie and Stafford, Woolamai Beach SLSC would not be what it is today. Thank you both for the dedication, energy, warmth, and love you have given to Woolamai over the years.

Congratulations Georgie and Stafford.

 
 

 

 

 
Woolamai Beach SLSC