16/06/2026
Our submission for 'Illawarra Club of the Year'. We didn't win that award but we did win 'Illawarra Patrolling Club of the Year'. Coalcliff SLSC is only a small club but it has to be one of the most innovative clubs in NSW. Photo of our youth patrollers, patrolling at Kurrawa in Queensland to open the season.
"1.Tell us the story of your Club.
Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club is a vibrant, innovative, and community-focused club that has been keeping the community safe for 103 patrolling seasons. With 291 members, including 81 active patrolling members, the club continues to demonstrate leadership in patrol operations, inclusion, training, governance, and community engagement.
Coalcliff SLSC has built a proud reputation for resilience, inclusion, and community spirit. Guided by its mission to create a safe, healthy, and welcoming community connected to the ocean, the club delivers programs that strengthen public safety, member development, health and wellbeing, and long-term community participation.
Coalcliff SLSC continues to deliver innovative programs that represent best practice within Surf Life Saving NSW. One of the clubâs flagship initiatives is Surf Life Saving Dreams Take Flight, delivered in partnership with Endeavour Sports High School and John Edmondson High School. The program improves surf awareness, beach safety knowledge, and reduces drowning risk for disadvantaged young people from South West Sydney.
This season, the program expanded through a partnership with Cocky Guides Australia to create the Blind and Low Vision Patrol Capability Program â the first initiative of its kind within Surf Life Saving NSW. The program provides blind and low-vision Australians with a pathway to become qualified Surf Life Saving Radio Operators, improving accessibility and inclusion across the movement.
Coalcliff SLSC also introduced the Individual Patrollers Three-Year Training Plan, an innovative member development initiative recognised by Surf Life Saving NSW and shared with clubs statewide as best practice. The program improves engagement, retention, capability, and operational planning across future seasons.
Coalcliff SLSC continues to deliver strong patrol capability. The club operates five full-day patrols and fully met all Surf Life Saving service agreement requirements throughout 2025/26. The club also provided nine RWC operators to support Illawarra Operations on RWC 1 Illawarra.
Coalcliffâs âFlags Firstâ patrol culture and 'Beach Set Up Team' continue to strengthen patrol readiness while providing younger members with meaningful leadership opportunities.
Community Engagement
The Coalcliff SLSC Ocean Swim Club provides a safe, welcoming, and non-competitive environment for community members to develop ocean swimming skills while promoting health and wellbeing. This season, the program expanded to include swims at Stanwell Park Beach in partnership with Helensburgh Stanwell Park SLSC.
The Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Ocean Swim has become a major Northern Illawarra community event, attracting 100 competitors this season while honouring Life Member Dave Winner. The new Lifeguard Challenge further strengthens this focus by bringing together professional lifeguards from across NSW to compete in an elite surf lifesaving endurance event while supporting the Dave Winner Foundation.
âThe Bombie presented by Coalcliff SLSCâ has continued to bring live, original music and community connection to hundreds of people throughout the year.
Coalcliffâs Kurrawa Outreach Patrol, with 10 youth patrollers again patrolling at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, continues to deliver outstanding youth development outcomes. At the same time, the thriving Nippers program (130 members) is strengthening future patrol capability, increasing family participation, and supporting long-term club sustainability.
Coalcliff SLSC demonstrates that a small club can deliver extraordinary outcomes through innovation, inclusion, strong governance, and community spirit.
What are the most significant achievements your club has delivered in the 2025/2026 season?
Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club â 2025/26 Season Achievements
The 2025/26 season was a year of strong operational delivery, innovation, inclusion, and community engagement for Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club.
Beach Set-Up and Readiness
'The Beach Set Up Team', remained essential to operations. Led by Club Captain Rob Deacon with Gear Stewards Frank Perfect and Jim Dalmer, the team ensured all equipment was checked and ready before patrols, improving efficiency and allowing patrol teams to focus immediately on prevention and safety.
Three-Year Training Plan
The new Individual Patrollers Three-Year Training Plan was introduced and recognised by Surf Life Saving NSW as best practice. It enables members to create personalised development pathways, improving engagement, retention, leadership development, and future training planning across the club.
Community Education
The Lifesaving Dreams Take Flight program delivered surf safety education to students from Endeavour Sports High School and John Edmondson High School through beach and school-based sessions focused on surf awareness and drowning prevention.
A major advancement was the Blind and Low Vision Patrol Capability Program, developed with Cocky Guides Australia and launched on International White Cane Day (15 October 2025). This initiative re-designed Radio Operator training into a fully accessible format using audio, tactile learning, and adapted resources covering radio procedures, phonetic alphabet, and communication systems.
Five blind and low-vision participants completed practical beach training including radio operations and surf orientation using adaptive methods such as ATV-based beach familiarisation. The program expanded inclusion pathways and strengthened diversity in Surf Life Saving.
Outreach Patrols
The Kurrawa Outreach Patrol involved 10 under-17 members in a four-day Queensland development tour, including a patrol at Kurrawa Beach and a Dreamworld visit, strengthening youth engagement and team connection. Although North Bondi and Queenscliff outreach patrols were cancelled due to circumstances and weather, outreach remains a key development pathway.
Events and Participation
The Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Ocean Swim attracted 100 competitors, continuing to grow as a key community event while providing operational experience for members.
The Triple Crown seriesâincluding the Beach to Bombie Swim, Bridge to Boatshed Run, Lifeguard Challenge, and Rod Stevens Memorial Paddleâagain saw strong participation, building fitness, skills, and community spirit. The Bridge to Boatshed Run remained the clubâs flagship community event with nippers, their families and active patrollers involved.
Patrol Systems and Capability
Structured flag observation shifts strengthened patrol capability by improving surveillance, accountability, and junior member involvement, while maintaining effective coverage with limited volunteer resources.
Lifeguard Challenge and Community Events
The Coalcliff SLSC Ocean Swim Club, expanded through collaboration with Helensburgh Stanwell Park SLSC to both Stanwell Park and Coalcliff, increased community participation in regular supervised ocean swims.
The Lifeguard Challenge brought together NSW Council lifeguard teams in an elite endurance event supporting the Dave Winner Foundation.
'The Bombie' music series organised by Coalcliff SLSC, in partnership with Coledale RSL, continued delivering live music to the community, featuring artists including 'Jim Moginie and the Family Dog', 'Ray Beadle' and 'The Mighty Reapers'.
Why did these achievements matter?
Strategic Alignment of 2025/26 Achievements â Coalcliff SLSC
The 2025/26 season achievements reflect Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Clubâs mission to create a safe, healthy, and welcoming community connected to the ocean, while advancing its vision of a vibrant, inclusive, family-oriented, rescue-ready club. Across operations, inclusion, development, and community engagement, the club demonstrated strong alignment with its strategic priorities and values.
Public Safety â Rescue Ready
Five full-day weekend patrols supported by 81 patrolling members, alongside nine RWC operators assisting Illawarra Support Operations, ensured compliance with service agreements and operational readiness.
The âFlags First â Eyes on the Flagsâ system improved surveillance and accountability, reinforcing proactive public safety. 'The Beach Set Up Team' ensured all rescue equipment was checked and operational before patrol commencement, improving readiness and response efficiency.
Community â A Vibrant and Connected Club
Major events such as the Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Swim, Bridge to Boatshed Run, Triple Crown series, and Bombie music program strengthened the clubâs role as a social hub. These events brought together members, families, and the wider community, reinforcing Coalcliff SLSC as a key point of connection.
The Ocean Swim Club expansion with Helensburgh Stanwell Park SLSC strengthened regional participation and inter-club relationships, supporting a more connected surf lifesaving community.
Inclusion â Open to All Ages and Abilities
The Lifesaving Dreams Take Flight program and Blind and Low Vision Patrol Capability Program supported inclusion goals. Developed with Cocky Guides Australia and launched on International White Cane Day, the program re-designed Radio Operator training into accessible formats using tactile and audio-based learning.
Five blind and low-vision participants completed practical beach training, including radio communication and surf familiarisation using adaptive methods. This expanded access to surf lifesaving pathways and demonstrated leadership in inclusive practice.
School engagement through Endeavour Sports High School and John Edmondson High School strengthened opportunities for young people with limited surf experience.
Personal Development â Building Skills and Leadership
The Individual Patrollers Three-Year Training Plan provided structured pathways for members to develop skills, gain qualifications, and progress in leadership roles. Recognised by Surf Life Saving NSW as best practice, it improved engagement, retention, and capability planning.
Youth initiatives such as the Kurrawa Outreach Patrol gave younger members experience in more challenging surf conditions, strengthening confidence and teamwork.
Health and Wellbeing
Programs including Nippers, ocean swims, outreach activities, and community events promoted physical activity, ocean confidence, and social connection, supporting wellbeing and lifelong participation.
Governance and Operational Excellence
Strong governance was demonstrated through structured patrol systems, improved rostering, and long-term training and resource planning. 'The Beach Set Up Team' and "3 year training plan' reflected disciplined operational management. Recognition from Surf Life Saving NSW highlighted best practice.
History and Recognition
Having long-standing active members including 80 plus aged Frank Perfect and Jim Dalmer reinforces the clubâs commitment to recognising contribution and preserving legacy, reflecting the value placed on experience and continuity.
How is your club building for the future?
Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club is actively building its future by strengthening the pathway from junior participation through to active patrolling membership, ensuring long-term sustainability, capability, and connection to the club. Guided by its mission to create a safe, healthy, and welcoming community connected to the ocean, Coalcliff is focused on developing structured pathways that grow both individual capability and overall patrol strength.
A key foundation of this approach is the development of Nippers as the future of the club, not only as participants in junior surf education but as the direct pipeline into patrolling membership. A major enhancement has been the introduction of an embedded pathway where Under 14 Nippers now complete their Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) as part of the Nippers program. This creates a supported transition from junior participation into lifesaving service, ensuring young members are rescue-ready earlier and more prepared and more likely to become active patrollers.
This embedded SRC pathway is a deliberate strategy to build patrol capability from the ground up. It strengthens retention by keeping young members engaged through progression, responsibility, and achievement, while also ensuring the club has a consistent base of trained future patrollers. It reinforces the connection between Nippers, their families, and Surf Life Saving by making development visible and purposeful.
This youth development pathway is further strengthened through structured outreach patrol experiences for young patrollers, including programs at North Bondi, Queenscliff, Kurrawa, and the planned expansion to North Kirra. These experiences place under-17 patrollers in more complex surf environments, accelerating confidence, teamwork, and operational decision-making. Importantly, they also build strong peer networks and friendships, critical to long-term retention.
Coalcliff is also strengthening its future through expanded school-based education and inclusive participation pathways, with more schools expected to become involved in the future. Programs delivered through Endeavour Sports High School and John Edmondson High School build surf awareness, beach safety knowledge, and drowning prevention skills for young people with limited ocean experience. In parallel, the partnership with Cocky Guides Australia through the Blind and Low Vision Patrol Capability Program extends inclusion by creating accessible pathways into Surf Life Saving roles for blind and low-vision participants.
The club is also investing in its physical and cultural future through the restoration and reactivation of the surf club building as a central community hub. This facility strengthens engagement by providing a place where members, families, and the wider community can connect through training, events, education, and social activities.
Alongside these initiatives, Coalcliff is undertaking a review and development of a new club strategic plan, designed to set clear future direction. This ensures the club continues to evolve in line with membership growth, community expectations, and operational needs, while building on more than 100 years of history.
Strong clubs are built through structured pathways, not isolated programs. By connecting Nippers, SRC training, youth patrols, education programs, inclusion initiatives, and community engagement into one continuum, Coalcliff is creating a sustainable pipeline of future patrolling members.
Coalcliff SLSC is maintaining strong current operations and actively building future patrol capability through youth development, inclusion, education, and strategic renewal.
What is one lesson your club can share with other Surf Life Saving Clubs both in Australia and Internationally?
One key lesson Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club can share with Surf Life Saving Clubs in Australia and internationally is the importance of turning innovation into structured, long-term member development systems that genuinely improve retention and capability.
Coalcliff has focused on embedding a practical model that links training, engagement, and long-term retention. The strongest example is the Individual Patrollers Three-Year Training Plan, recognised by Surf Life Saving NSW and shared across the movement as best practice in member development.
The program encourages every patrolling member to create a personalised three-year pathway aligned with their interests, goals, and qualifications. Instead of ad hoc training, members follow a clear development roadmap that keeps them engaged, challenged, and progressing over time. This strengthens retention by giving members structure, purpose, and visible growth.
Importantly, the initiative also supports whole-of-club capability planning. By mapping training needs over three years, the club can identify future skill gaps, forecast demand, and plan delivery more effectively. It also highlights where support is needed beyond the club, including collaboration with other Illawarra clubs and access to Surf Life Saving NSW resources.
A key success factor has been the programâs simple and accessible design. A QR code-based survey allows members to quickly input goals through a short, user-friendly online process. The data is immediately visible to the training team, enabling real-time planning and a clear understanding of current and future capability needs.
Another important learning has been the value of improving member awareness of development pathways. Many patrolling members were initially unaware of the full range of awards, courses, and roles available within Surf Life Saving. Through this initiative, members are now exposed early to structured options for development, allowing them to make informed choices for each of their three training years. These pathways are built directly into the survey, making planning simple and accessible.
Already, youth patrollers are demonstrating the impact of this approach in its first season, with many achieving multiple new awards and qualifications. Their development pathways for the next two seasons have already been mapped, giving them clear goals and structured progression that keeps them engaged, motivated, and improving at a steady pace.
The success of the program also reflects the importance of using the skills and initiative of people within the club. Leadership identified gaps in member awareness and invested time in researching, explaining, and promoting the full range of Surf Life Saving opportunities. This has strengthened engagement by showing members that development extends well beyond traditional patrol roles and into leadership, education, and specialist pathways.
The process has also improved communication and leadership visibility within the club. Members can see that their goals are actively captured, reviewed, and followed up, which builds trust, accountability, and stronger connection to the organisation.
By combining member-led planning, accessible digital tools, clear training pathways, and strong internal knowledge sharing, Coalcliff has created a model that strengthens both individual development and overall club capability.
This approach ensures patrolling members are not only retained for longer, but are also more skilled, more confident, and more connected to their club and the wider Surf Life Saving movement."
