Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) has tonight announced plans to launch the new Women in Surf Development Program, built to capitalise on the legacy of the Surf Woman of the Year program, presented by The Star Gold Coast.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) has tonight announced plans to launch the new Women in Surf Development Program, built to capitalise on the legacy of the Surf Woman of the Year program, presented by The Star Gold Coast.

The new program is set to focus on leadership, mentoring and networking; providing more female Surf Lifesaving members with the opportunities to take on decision-making roles within and outside the organisation.

This focus on development will complement other initiatives to promote gender equity in the leadership and decision-making areas of SLSQ and its 58 Clubs to ensure that our leadership profile is more reflective of our membership profile.

While many lament the culmination of a program that had been running for 59 years across various formats, SLSQ CEO, Dave Whimpey celebrates and recognises the unprecedented and tremendous impact the Surf Woman of the Year program has had on our organisation.

“Past Surf Girl and Surf Woman participants have gone on to become highly respected University Lecturers, Political Advisors, Journalists and Actors, while the program over the years has raised more than $18 million for the participating clubs.

“We have a huge responsibility and opportunity to evolve and expand that impact with this new program.”, explained Mr Whimpey.

In recent years, SLSQ has undertaken a review into a number of key areas within the organisation including key research projects on Safe and Respectful Environments and Women in Surf. Outcomes from this research have confirmed to SLSQ that there are untapped development opportunities that should be implemented to ensure the future relevance and viability of the organisation and it’s Clubs.

SLSQ Deputy President, Carol Fox explained that SLSQ prioritises Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and these changes speak to the feedback presented by members, along with contemporary organisational standards and societal expectations.

“What we are seeing in member-based organisations across the country are strategic, adaptable programs that give more women, more opportunities.”

“The changes aren’t about ending one tradition, but about meeting our members’ expectations of a modern organisation. We’re developing this new program with a combination of expert knowledge and learnings from the past, paving the way for the future.”, claimed Ms Fox.

Additionally, fundraising will no longer play a formal part in the new program.

“We know many members joined the Surf Woman of the Year program to fundraise and become an ambassador for their club.  We want to celebrate and capture that energy and encourage those members to sign up to be the Fundraising Ambassador for their club during the annual Queensland Lifesavers Appeal in October.  Taking on this new “Ambassador” role in each Club will provide members, female or male, with similar access to tools and resources, to develop their fundraising skills and make a difference for their club.”, Mr Whimpey said.

A refined focus for the new Women in Surf development program will allow SLSQ to direct resources into a strategy that reaches, impacts and connects more women members.

The Star Gold Coast’s support of the Surf Woman of The Year Program has been one of Surf Lifesaving’s longest-standing partnerships across the country, having been a sponsor of the program for over 30 years.  Being another organisation with a strong focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, The Star Gold Coast are committed to continuing their support of SLSQ and our new Women in Surf development program.

The full details of the new program are expected to be released to members in July 2023.

Once formalised, SLSQ will then be seeking Expressions of Interest for members who may wish to participate in the new program, both joining the Surf Woman legacy and becoming inaugural participants in the new Women in Surf Development program.