Surf Lifesaving Mid North Coast recognised its top officials, volunteers and athletes at the annual awards of excellence.
The event was held at the South West Rocks surf club on Saturday night.
Branch director of administration and current state administrator of the year Jo Hawkins and Wauchope Bonny Hills’ club president Peter Smith co-hosted the evening.
Among a host of guests were Surf Lifesaving NSW Director of Finance Pip Butt, State Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey and Kempsey Shire councillor Anna Shields.
Branch life members ‘Chalkie’ Bob Smith OAM, Bruce Caldwell, John Vipond and Rod McDonagh also attended.
Recipients of branch Awards of Excellence are automatically nominated for the NSW awards to be held in Sydney on August 13.
They are, Masters Athlete of the Year, Larry Brooke Port Macquarie, Coach of the Year, Scotty Edwards Kempsey-Crescent Head, Official of the Year, Ray McDonagh South West Rocks, Training Officer of the Year, Tony Hallinan Tacking Point club.
Assessor of the Year, Paul Rayner Tacking Point club, Community Education Program of the Year Macksville-Scotts Head, Administrator of the Year, Brienna Elford South West Rocks and Initiative of the Year WAVES Program Macksville-Scotts Head club.
Team of the Year SLSMNC Members Services Team, Club of the Year, Tacking Point club, Young Lifesaver of the Year, Lachlan Hawkins Wauchope-Bonny Hills, Volunteer of the Year, Michelle Garvan and Lifesaver of the Year, Tony Worton from the Camden Haven club.
Winners of branch awards including the senior surf sports awards were also presented on the night.
Branch champions
U/15 – Taylor Sargeant and Hugh Stewart, from the Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
U/17 – Toni Hurkett Port Macquarie and Lachlan Hawkins Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
U/19 – Dale Finch Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
30-30 – Cassie Pensini Camden Haven.
40-49 – Raelene Myers Tacking Point and Jeremy Bate Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
50-59 – Amanda Higgerson Tacking Point and Tony Wright Port Macquarie.
60-69 – Dr John Edward Vaughan Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
70+ – George Fowler Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
Opens – Toni Hurkett and Joe Joseph Wright from the Port Macquarie club.
Outstanding Competitive Performance and Jason Northey Memorial Open Ironman Champion - Lachlan Hawkins Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
A.J.Hayes Overall Pointscore Branch Champions – Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
Bill Balkin Memorial Surf Boat Pointscore – Kempsey-Crescent Head.
Juniors Overall Pointscore – Port Macquarie.
Junior Age Champions
U8 – Cleo Schubert South West Rocks and Lucas Scott Port Macquarie.
U9 – Billie Maybon South West Rocks and Tyse Thrower Tacking Point.
U10 – Olivia Oakshott Port Macquarie and Harry Askew South West Rocks.
U11 – Fleur Sherlock Port Macquarie and Tahj Thrower Tacking Point.
U12 – Alani Cockshutt and Jesse Hiatt both from Port Macquarie.
U13 – Miren Davies Port Macquarie and Kye Gill Wauchope-Bonny Hills.
U14 – Tayla Maybon South West Rocks and Ryan Horton Tacking Point and Finn Askew South West Rocks.
