The Surf Life Saving Queensland Surf Woman of the Year Program was instilled in 1964 as the Surf Girl Program to celebrate female lifesavers within the movement. It has evolved into the state-wide female development program, where each surf club in Queensland has the opportunity for one female to represent their respective club from August-May.

The purpose is to raise awareness about surf lifesaving, beach and water safety whilst raising money for the patrolling members on the beach.

I have thus far attended many schools to speak about swimming between the red and yellow flags, reading signs at the beach, discussing marine creatures etc., and have assisted with school swimming lessons and numerous beach safety awareness programs. Including this High Tea, the Cairns SLSC has raised money through our trivia night, mamma Mia ball, sausage sizzles, raffles and will have one more event in April.

The Surf Woman of the Year Gala Ball evening in May where a winner from the state is chosen as the best lifesaver, with good communication skills who represents the values of SLSQ; safety, leadership, trust, respect, teamwork and community.

My goal for Surf Woman this Year as it is my second year is to bring beach safety and water awareness to the Cairns community, more specifically the youth in Cairns North who have never had the opportunity to participate in a beach program, let alone go to the beach regularly. I wanted to create positive change in the youth of Cairns to help instill a culture of safety and a love of the ocean, to help others see the benefits and my love for lifesaving through my eyes. And to be a prominent female role model throughout the whole journey.