From finding his feet as a new student on the Gold Coast to mentoring the next generation of lifesavers, Mattias Steljic is discovering just how far volunteering can take you.
When Mattias Steljic first joined his school’s surf lifesaving program, he never imagined how much it would become part of his life. What began as an opportunity to meet new people and gain a few qualifications has grown into a passion for volunteering, leadership and helping others find their place in the surf lifesaving community.
Now a patrolling member of Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC and captain of his school’s surf lifesaving program, Mattias is making his mark both on and off the beach.
His dedication recently earned him recognition as a finalist for Youth Volunteer of the Year at the 2026 Queensland Volunteering Awards, celebrating his contribution to the community and his commitment to encouraging more young people to get involved.
But for Mattias, the recognition is about much more than his own achievements. It is a reflection of the countless volunteers who turn up, give their time and work together to keep Queensland’s beaches safe.
Finding His Place in Lifesaving
Mattias’s journey began a few years ago when he moved to the Gold Coast and joined his school’s surf lifesaving program.
Through the program, former students and teachers help students in Years 10 to 12 gain their lifesaving qualifications and become involved in the movement.
For someone new to the area, it offered Mattias something beyond the opportunity to learn new skills. It gave him a community.
That connection was what first drew him to surf lifesaving, and it continues to be one of the reasons he keeps coming back.
“I think what I enjoy most about being involved with surf lifesaving is probably the fact that it’s always something new, something different,” he explains.
Whether he is patrolling alongside his friends, attending community events or representing his school, Mattias says the experience has encouraged him to challenge himself in ways he never expected.
“The lifesaving community for me has been a massive support in kind of stretching myself beyond what I thought I could do.”
What started as a new activity has become an opportunity to develop his confidence, build friendships and discover what he is capable of.
Coming Full Circle
One of the most rewarding parts of Mattias’s journey has been the opportunity to help other young people follow in his footsteps.
As captain of his school’s surf lifesaving program, he now supports students as they work towards their qualifications, including their Bronze Medallion.
It is a role that has brought his own experience full circle, from being the student learning from others to becoming someone who can pass that knowledge on.
“When I think of the future of surf lifesaving, you always have to think of whoever comes after you,” he says.
For Mattias, mentoring is about more than helping students gain their qualifications. It is about creating the same sense of connection and belonging that encouraged him to get involved in the first place.
He hopes to continue growing his school’s program, making volunteering more accessible and creating opportunities for students to build friendships and become part of the wider lifesaving community.
It is a commitment that also extends to his involvement in the membership committee at Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC, where he is keen to explore ways to strengthen engagement and welcome new members.
Recognition Beyond the Red and Yellow
Being named a finalist for Youth Volunteer of the Year at the Queensland Volunteering Awards came as a surprise to Mattias.
Like many volunteers, he had never given much thought to the possibility of being recognised for something that had simply become part of his everyday life.
“Being recognised as a finalist for the Queensland Youth Volunteering Award was a bit of a shock because you have your day-to-day volunteering, and you don’t think it can be recognised as something more,” he reflects.
For Mattias, the nomination highlights the value of the time and effort volunteers contribute, often without expecting anything in return.
“There’s so many surf lifesavers that put their time in, put the hours in to make Gold Coast safer.”
While the recognition is a significant milestone in his own journey, he sees it as an opportunity to acknowledge the broader lifesaving community and the collective effort that goes into keeping people safe.
It is also a reminder of why he continues to volunteer.
For Mattias, giving back is not just about the difference he can make to others. It is also about the personal growth that comes from being involved, the relationships he builds and the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than himself.
A Community That Goes Beyond the Beach
Ask Mattias about his favourite lifesaving experience, and one event stands out: volunteering at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
The experience gave him the opportunity to see the many different parts of the movement come together, from young Nippers to experienced competitors, all sharing a common passion.
“I think for me, my favourite experience in surf lifesaving would probably be when I got to volunteer at the Aussies, which was an amazing chance to kind of see all the different aspects of surf lifesaving merge together.”
Seeing people of different ages and backgrounds working alongside one another reinforced what Mattias values most about the movement.
It is not simply about the individual roles people play, but the connections between them and the shared commitment that brings everyone together.
“That’s what surf lifesaving is. It’s that community all interconnected and working together.”
The Opportunities Ahead
With his sights set on continuing to grow membership and youth engagement, Mattias is eager to see where his lifesaving journey takes him next.
He hopes to build on his work at both his school and Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC, strengthening the connection between young people and their local club while helping more students discover the opportunities available to them.
And for anyone considering joining a surf lifesaving club, his advice is simple.
“You never know how good something is until you’ve tried it.”
Mattias admits that when he first joined, he expected surf lifesaving to be something he would only be involved in briefly.
Instead, it has opened the door to new experiences, friendships and opportunities he never anticipated.
His journey is a reminder that volunteering can begin with something as simple as giving a new activity a go. For Mattias, that first step has led to a place in a community he now helps others become part of.
And with a passion for giving back and a growing commitment to the next generation, his contribution to surf lifesaving is only just beginning.