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Award Winners Season 2024/25
- Tim Tucak
- 3 days ago
- 9 min read
A special website article to bring you the Award Winners from the 2024/25 season. Thank you to Kerry Smyth, Deputy Mayor of the City of Nedlands, Life Members, Members and Sponsors for attending the Annual Dinner.
Thanks to every Swanny Member and supporter for an amazing season, which we celebrated at the Annual Dinner. A number of outstanding contributions were also recognised. For those who couldn't attend, or those who want a refresher, here's the rundown...
The Best Clubperson - The Simon Davies Award
The Simon Davies Best Club Member Award is awarded in recognition of the most dedicated Club member of the season. In a reflection of Simon's own personal qualities, it is often awarded to someone who has taken on tasks unasked, without the expectation of recognition or reward, but simply because the job needed to be done. In many instances, these activities were time-consuming, tedious and not intrinsically rewarding.
This season’s recipient of The Simon Davies Best Club Member Award is Paul Lippiatt. Lippo demonstrates the essence of this award giving a valued contribution across the areas of development, surf sports and education. Lippo’s involvement in the Club has extended across many years and it is wonderful to be recognising his contributions this season.
A highly competent IRB operator, Lippo handles the Swanny shorebreak like no other. He has dedicated his time and imparted his expertise into the training of IRB courses. Masterfully navigating inside shore runs and throwing his crew around punching through waves, Lippo makes it fun, but anyone that jumps in a boat with him knows they are in safe hands.
Lippo’s involvement in surf boats at Swanny extends to many years as the sweep for our ladies Donkeys team. He has competently steered the team to medals this season. Surf boat competition requires early morning training and long days on the beach, but Lippo demonstrates genuine love for competing, camaraderie of being part of a team and sharing the success and celebration of others.
Despite not having a nipper aged kid for a few years now, Lippo has continued filling an area of need at the Club as an Age Group Manager, along with daughter Charlie-Rose. He is a reliable presence on the beach each Sunday morning, often towing down the Nipper trailer, collecting up boards and running fantastic and engaging sessions for our young members.
We can’t forget his most valuable contribution each December, as the most popular man on Swanny Beach. Each year we eagerly anticipate the mode of craft our Santa will risk the shorebreak in to provide great joy and spectacle each year.
Lippo, thank you for all you do.
Abridged version of the presentation on the night by Kate Hutchinson, President and Ross Bosworth, Life Member.
The Patron’s Award - For the Single Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual
The Patron's Award is dedicated to the single most outstanding achievement of the season by an individual.
The 2024/2025 Patron's Award is awarded to Jordana Broomhall.
It is not often that something is started that is meaningful and will be carried on, making a lasting impact. The Award winner's' impact was extremely successful in its own right for just this season, but this is hopefully just a fraction of the good to come of it.
To quote our Deputy President “Every Youth I have spoken to who attended has stated how impactful the Camp was, how successful it was at binding them into such a tight-knit group that will hopefully keep them part of the Swanny family for years to come.”
Jordi receives this award for the initiation, planning, coordination and execution of the hugely successful inaugural Swanny Youth Camp. Acknowledgement goes to others who contributed to the successful Youth Camp including, Morgan, Jo and Louise Carey, and others. And to a kind anonymous family who made a donation to the Youth Program that sparked this effort.
We expect this inaugural Youth Camp to lead into an annual event that knits the fabric of Swanny youth.
Presented by Brenton Laws, Club Captain and City of Nedlands Deputy Mayor Kerry Smyth.
Patrol Member of the Year
Swanny’s Patrol Member of the Year, for the 2024/25 season is Graham Sharpe.
Graham is someone who truly sets the benchmark — not just for how he patrols the beach, but for how he helps build Swanny’s lifesaving culture. He has been a steady hand on the sand for over two decades, but it is for his outstanding contributions this season that he receives this award.
Graham’s leadership on patrol is renowned. To highlight just one example — while leading Gadsby Patrol one Saturday, an incident occurred on the beach. Calmly and professionally, Graham managed the situation as Patrol Captain. Shortly afterwards and without being asked, he compiled and submitted a detailed incident report to the Lifesaving Manager, complete with lessons learned and suggested actions. Graham also led coordination of the Water Safety Team at the 2025 Swanny Ocean Classic.
It’s this kind of quiet leadership that makes everyone around him more confident, more prepared and more connected. Graham fosters the inclusive, supportive spirit that makes Swanny what it is, while mentoring new lifesavers and leading his patrol with energy.
Presented by Logan Ovenden-Clarke, Deputy President.
Patrol of the Year
McCosker Patrol is the winner of the City of Nedlands Patrol of the Year.
This year’s Patrol of the Year goes to a group that not only kept the beach safe, but truly embodied the spirit of teamwork, training — and just the right amount of chaos.
It was a big season for McCosker Patrol (PC Luke Bishop, JPC Oli Defrancesco). They kicked things off with a full kilometre of waterman training, setting the tone early: this was a team that would push themselves, look after one another and have a great time doing it.
Over the season, McCosker had to close the beach twice due to shark sightings — clearly, a very alert patrol! On one memorable day, they reunited two lost children and a lost parent, with their families. But it wasn’t all rescues and closures. The McCosker spirit came to life during the most competitive Patrol Games yet — with standout tackles from Robbie, Jamie, Oli, and Ray.
Under Luke Bishop’s leadership, McCosker showed resilience, teamwork, humour and outstanding lifesaving skill all season long.
Presented by Logan Ovenden-Clarke, Deputy President and City of Nedlands Deputy Mayor Kerry Smyth.
McCosker Patrol group: Luke Bishop - Patrol Captain, Oli Defrancesco - Junior Patrol Captain, Amy Jackson, Adrian Defrancesco, Natalie Owens, Peter Brigg, James Brigg, Robert Brigg, Rory Yates,
Naomi Winter, Finola O'Sullivan, Paul Linabury, Jessica Major and Heather Taylor.
Outstanding Contribution to Education Award
The Outstanding Contribution to Education Award goes to David Morley.
Dave stepped into the Bronze Officer role this season after helping out with last season’s Bronze Courses as a probationary trainer. The Bronze Officer’s role is a huge task and vital in the induction of our brand new Bronzies into the Club.
The Bronze Course was highly organised and well-run. Dave helped 41 new Bronzies get through the seven week course and assessments, and most impressively coordinated the involvement of over 20 reliably unreliable Trainers.
Thank you, Dave, for all the late-night email responses, the scanning of 100s of documents and the tireless dedication you brought to these courses and Bronzies.
Presented by Chris Brigg, Education Manager
The Kelly O’Mara Trophy
Kelly O’Mara loved Swanny and her family created this award to recognise the dedication and enthusiasm of our Junior Members. Kelly will always be remembered for embodying the Swanny spirit of participation and giving it a go. This year’s winner of the Kelly O’Mara Trophy is Stirling Stilwell.
Stirling has been part of the Club for years, starting in Nippers and steadily growing into a confident leader and role model. Once a quiet presence, he now leads with a ‘give it a go’ attitude, as shown during this season’s Swanny Youth Camp.
This season, he stepped up as Junior Patrol Captain, clocking 40 patrol hours and supporting both the SRC intensive and Bronze Medallion programs — managing boards, helping with water safety,and assisting training. He also took on the role of Nipper Coaching Officer with his sister Neve, organising board sessions and helping younger members build skills and confidence.
Stirling’s training and competition commitment is unmatched. He attends nearly every Swanny session and competes across all events. His effort translated into strong competition results: he raced every Swanny Trophy event, winning the Caris Cup Marathon, placing across others and winning the Malibu Board at the Swanny Ocean Classic. He is Open and U17 Club Board Champion and Open Iron Champion. At States, he earnt medals in the U19 Beach Relay and U17 Mixed First Aid.
But what truly sets him apart is his humble, hardworking attitude. Stirling leads by example, earning respect across the Club — a deserving recipient of the Kelly O'Mara Trophy.
From the Youth we’d also like to recognise the terrific achievements this season of:
Youth Club Achiever Award: Josh Engelbrecht.
U14/U15 Lifesaver of the Year: Hadley Stilwell.
Nipper Club Achiever: Ava Zadow.
Abridged version of presentation on the night by Jordi Broomhall, Junior Development Manager.
Nipper Program Award
The winner of the Nipper Program Award for Season 2024/25 is …. Judith Marquis.
Judith was part of Swanny long before her twin daughters started Nippers — but it was their involvement that brought her back into the Club and into the heart of the Nipper program.
Last season, Judith began learning the ropes as Nipper Administration Officer alongside Lisa Englebrecht. With Lisa’s support, Judith quickly picked up the role and stepped up to lead it solo for the 2024/25 season.
Judith has done an outstanding job, quietly and efficiently managing all aspects of Nipper admin — without fuss, reminders, or any need for recognition. Her calm, organised approach has been the backbone of the program. From sign-in sheets and registrations to Surfguard records, gear stocktakes, Nipper packs and evaluations, Judith has handled it all with precision and care. She’s also a steady presence on the beach, helping parents and supporting the team. Judith also volunteered for water safety on 9 of 15 Nipper sessions, guiding kids through the surf and keeping them safe.
Her attention to detail, genuine care, and commitment — from spreadsheets to surf — truly set her apart. We’re incredibly lucky to have her.
Presented by Jordana Broomhall, Junior Development Manager.
Service Awards
A great group received their 5 Year and 10 Year Service Awards!
5 Year Service Award : Tom Rix, Libby Rayner, Morgan Broomhall, Georgia Pegrum, Jessie Krznaric, Paul Whittock, Craig Rose, Lachlan Broomhall, Rachel Ward, Benjamin Park and Christopher Colalillo
Long Service (10 Years) Award: Amy Prosser, Ben Leonard, Jordana Broomhall, Logan Ovenden-Clarke, Natalie Owens, Alex Aberle-Leeming, Callum Griffiths and Kate Anderson.
Service awards presented by Brenton Laws, Club Captain
Bronze Medallion
A special welcome to our new 2024/25 Bronze Medallion holders, a number of whom were present on the night.
Acknowledged by Chris Brigg, Education Manager
Surf Sports
Club Champions:
Open Female - Kathleen Laws
Open Male - Josh Engelbrecht
O/40 Female - Kristie Orchard
O/40 Male - Ben Juengling
U/14 Female - Tom Peebles
U/14 Male - Indra Addy
U/15 Female - Lydia DeFrancesco
U/15 Female - Adam Lowe
U/17 Female - Ellie Turton
U/17 Male - Josh Engelbrecht
U/19 Female - Georgia Pegrum
U/19 Male - Rob Brigg
New Bronze Medallion Trophy
Ellie Turton and Douglas Clarke
Overall Points Races Champions
Lisa Engelbrecht and Champ Phetiam
Perpetual Trophies:
Presidents' Cup - Tom Peebles
Oldham Memorial Cup - Kristie Orchard
F. E. Ford Cup - Kristie Orchard
Duncan McPhail Trophy - Robbie Brigg
Caris Cup - Stirling Stilwell
Presented by Bernie Williams, Surf Sports Manager and Peter Goff, Life Member
Annual Dinner
Thanks to the Swanny Social team, including Erin Stockton-Rice, Peter Weston and Rose Blakey-Scholes, for putting on a great Annual Dinner. And of course, MC Julian Gibbings for keeping everything running smoothly.