May 15, 2018
Otago-Southland is the next region to announce their finalists for their Awards of Excellence, where lifeguards from
throughout the region are celebrated for their valuable contribution and efforts in helping the public throughout the
year.
Every year, regional Awards of Excellence ceremonies are held around the country to officially recognise Surf Life
Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) members for their hard work and dedication to surf lifesaving in New Zealand.
The Otago-Southland Awards of Excellence will be held at the Mornington Tavern in Dunedin on Friday May 25th and include
lifeguards and members from the southernmost club at Oreti, to Warrington north of Dunedin.
The winners of each category from the Otago-Southland awards, then automatically become finalists in the national SLSNZ
Awards of Excellence, held in September, where national award winners are announced.
Stu Bryce, Surf Life Saving New Zealand Southern Region Manager says the awards are an important way to end a busy
season and recognise the contribution lifeguards make to the community.
“The Awards of Excellence are a great opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the time and energy that our members
have given over the 2017-18 patrol season,” he says.
“It was hard to select these finalists as all of the lifeguards throughout Otago and Southland are fantastic. However
the finalists in these awards all deserve to be recognised and celebrated for their exceptional efforts throughout the
year,” Mr Bryce added.
Otago-Southland Awards of Excellence finalists:
2018 Otago-Southland – Lifeguard of the Year:
Peter Gibbons, St Kilda
Chris Haig, St Clair
Kayle Harris, Warrington
Tayla Pohe, Brighton
Kelsey Lewis, Oreti
2018 Otago-Southland – Instructor/ Examiner of the Year:
Chris Haig, St Clair
Rachel Oakley, St Kilda
Shana Pohe, Brighton
Samantha Nielsen, Oreti
2018 Otago-Southland – Volunteer of the Year:
Nathan Laws, Warrington
Nic Brice, St Kilda
Sarah Ball, Oreti
Chris Haig, St Clair
Isaac Davies, St Clair
Mark Lane, Brighton
2018 Otago-Southland – Innovation of the Year:
Cameron Burrow, Peter Gibbons, James Coombes, Tomahawk Patrols
Cameron Third, Costal Classic
2018 Otago-Southland – Regional Lifeguard of the Year:
Blake Porteous
Mikayla Garforth
Charlotte Becconsall-Ryan
2018 Otago-Southland – Rescue of the Year:
SAR Call Out Team, Taieri Plains
Kaka Point
2018 Otago-Southland – Surf Official of the Year:
Michael Andrew, St Clair
Michael Trembath, St Clair
David Borke, St Kilda
Sean Doyle, Warrington
2018 Otago-Southland – Coach of the Year:
Isaac Davies, St Clair
Michael Coutts, St Clair
Chris Haig, St Clair
Kate Harrington, Oreti
Dave McPhee, Brighton
2018 Otago-Southland – Event Guard of the Year:
Jackson Aluesi, St Clair
Duncan New, St Kilda
2018 Otago-Southland – Sportsperson of the Year:
Phoebe Aburn, Brighton
Jeremy Kidd, Oreti
Carina Doyle, St Clair
Erika Fairweather, St Clair
Georgia Rathbone, St Clair
2018 Otago-Southland – Sports Team of the Year:
Masters Men’s Canoe Crew, Warrington
U19 Men’s IRB Crew, St Kilda
U20 Women’s IRB Crew, St Clair
U19 Women’s Surf Canoe Crew, Oreti
U19 Women’s Team, Brighton
Ends