National title added to list of lifesaving achievements

Secret Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club’s finest shone at the Surf Life Saving Australia National Awards of Excellence, with four members returning from Sydney with awards.

Life member Carolyn Wilson was awarded the Australian Surf Lifesaver Official of the year, with a meritorious award also given to club members Garry Williams, Jessica Williams, Siobhan Hall and Lyla Hall for a rescue conducted in November 2016.

Ms Wilson, who has been with the club for 17 years, fended off competition from the country’s top officials to secure her first national award.

Having previously won State official titles and volunteer of the year for WA in recent years, Ms Wilson said she was thrilled to win.

“It was exciting but at the same time it is a team effort — you get the recognition but you can’t do it without the team of officials that are with you,” she said.

“We all do a good job and we all work together as a team so winning is a bonus.”

Since starting at SHSLSC, Ms Wilson has taken on a number of roles including patrol captain, trainer and assessor as well sitting on the club’s board for eight years.

Ms Wilson said while she initially wasn’t a fan of the beach, she had grown to love it and couldn’t imagine life without surf lifesaving now.