Local beaches will be in safe hands this summer, after three Redlands surf lifesavers were selected to attend a special leadership camp late last month.
Volunteers Chloe McGrath and Eliza-Jane Kerr from Coochiemudlo Island SLSC, and Samantha Lavery from Point Lookout SLSC, were three of just 45 surf lifesavers from across the state invited to participate in the the University of Queensland’s Surf Life Saving Queensland Leadership Excellence Program, held in Brisbane on November 24-26.
The annual program develops and harnesses the communication, teamwork, and management skills of future leaders within the volunteer movement.
Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) membership development manager Brenda Lofthouse said Chloe, Eliza-Jane, and Samantha joined elite young surf lifesavers from across the state.
“The UQ SLSQ Leadership Excellence Program is a wonderful opportunity for us to bring together some of our emerging surf lifesavers from across the state for a weekend of education, development and upskilling,” she said.
“Chloe, Eliza-Jane, and Samantha have already been identified as emerging leaders within their clubs and the wider Redlands region, and we’re hoping this program can help them build on that potential as they move forward within their respective lifesaving careers.
“There’s no doubt that young members like Chloe, Eliza-Jane, and Samantha represent the future of surf lifesaving in Queensland, and the challenge for us is to provide them with a clear pathway for progression as they move toward more senior roles at a club, regional, or state level.
“In addition to the three participants, Will Hagan and Alexander Langenberg from Point Lookout SLSC have been invited to be involved in the program as mentors.”
The three-day program, to be held at UQ’s St Lucia Campus, saw participants undertake a wide range of professional and personal development sessions in a bid to prepare them for greater engagement and leadership in all facets of surf lifesaving disciplines.
Ms Lofthouse said the program, for lifesavers aged 18-30, also placed a strong emphasis on empowering members of the surf lifesaving movement.
“The practical skills and awareness that each participant will acquire during the program is designed to be taken back to their region and transferred to a wide range of scenarios, from managing lifesavers on patrols through to holding roles within club committees to govern and lead their clubs,” she said.
“Many former participants have since developed into mentors, role models and senior surf lifesavers and administrators within their regions.
