The 2021/22 Season saw the introduction of the Diversity portfolio to the Woolamai Board. The portfolio was created after a significant lack of diversity was identified in our Club’s senior leadership teams. After just one season we can be proud of our growth towards a more inclusive and diverse representation of the membership. Coming into the season we had two main goals in the Diversity portfolio, to conduct an internal review of Woolamai’s gender diversity and to begin an annual Rainbow Zinc patrol. Both of these goals were achieved along with the hosting of a 10-year celebratory event for our Pink Zinc patrol and the creation of the Barb Webb Diversity Award, presented at our annual Presentation Night.

The Woolamai Beach Gender Diversity, Balance and Inclusion Review took over nine months to complete, from approval to conduct, to the approval of seven recommendations. I want to begin by sincerely thanking the review panel for their purposeful efforts. This group includes Nakisha Vessey, Liam Comber, Louise Smith, Nick Reynolds, Georgie Wettenhall, Michelle Murphy, and Max Eldridge. The panel was selected through an application process and we thank all applicants. The review process was lengthy and included Club-wide surveys and focus groups, as well as focus groups with female ex-members to understand their reasons for not returning to Woolamai SLSC. We thank Dr Rachel Tuffield from Ambulance Victoria for her work and guidance in gathering and interpreting this data. The data and information collected showed a gender imbalance within the Club, and the review panel spent many long nights understanding why this is an issue, and how it can be overcome. The review panel welcomed external feedback and would like to acknowledge Richie Wong for his impactful contribution to the review. We also acknowledge Neil Hannan and Mark Donaldson for their counsel and advice. Ultimately the review presented eight recommendations to the Woolamai Board for approval and seven have passed, with work to be done on the eighth. These recommendations include a timeline, and the creation of a Diversity subcommittee to undertake the work. Charing this review was an absolute privilege and the work achieved is nothing short of extraordinary.

A highlight of the season was the introduction of the Rainbow Zinc patrol alongside our Pink and Blue Zinc patrols. Rainbow Zinc patrol was created to support LGBTQIA+ members in our community, and our Woolamai family. The day was a huge success with 30+ members coming to patrol, with special thanks to Jordan Kuerschner for stepping up to be co-patrol captain for the day. We had visits from LSV representatives Kane Treloar and Hannah Tzimokas who were proud and encouraging of the work being done at Woolamai. In the evening we had a club event which included a Mardi-Gra-themed dress-up, games and trivia. The day was inclusive and respectful of all. The Diversity portfolio looks forward to hosting the Rainbow Zinc patrol each year.

The 2020/21 season saw Woolamai hold their 10th Pink Zinc patrol, however, due to Covid-19 celebrations were postponed to the 2021/22 season. On February 20th Woolamai hosted a Pink Zinc breakfast for over 40 members at the Clubhouse. During breakfast, we heard from Georgie Wettenhall about the creation of Pink Zinc and its importance to Woolamai’s history. Following this, we had a panel including Barb Webb, Michelle Murphy, and Hannah Tzimokas answer questions submitted by the membership. The morning was inspiring and exciting, with members gaining information on pathways to leadership and the history of our Club. Thank you to Kate McLachlan from LSV for making the trip down for the event.

Woolamai Beach SLSC was recognised this season by Life Saving Victoria with the Trailblazer Award at their International Women’s Day Breakfast. The Trailblazer Award was presented to Woolamai for our work on the Pink Zinc patrol which is now a state-wide initiative. Thank you to LSV for this recognition and congratulations to all members on this achievement.

Throughout this season there have been endless opportunities to reflect on proud Woolamai moments, such as being involved in the first female bronze course, as well as to acknowledge our members who have always strived for greater inclusion and diversity. In the lead-up to our 2021/22 Presentation Night, the organising committee found a gap in our award list to recognise these members. From this was born the Barb Webb Diversity Award. This season the award was proudly presented to the Gender Diversity Review panel by Barb. This was a special moment for everyone to witness.

After just one season the Diversity portfolio has become a vital part of Woolamai. I am incredibly proud of the momentum and support we have gained. Making our Club respectful and inclusive of everyone is one of the most important things we can do and ensures the safety of all members. Though we have only scratched the surface of what can be achieved. There are many roles to fill and jobs to do so I am eager to grow our team next season. Please reach out at any time if you have suggestions for the Diversity portfolio, or if you would like to be involved in our work. For now, I hope everyone is proud of our beginnings and excited for our future. Thank you to all members for the 2021/22 season.

Annie Coleman

Director of Diversity