Glen joined Newport in 2003 as a Nipper parent and became an Age Manager. He obtained his Bronze Medallion in 2004.
Glen’s contribution to the club has been outstanding. He received his Distinguished Service in 2022 and continues contributing and dedicating himself to the club.
Glen served many years on the Committee as the Director of Surf Sports. In 2022, he stepped into the role of President and served three years.
Glen continues to contribute substantial time as a Patrol Vice Captain and member of the Building Committee.
Jess Menzies
Jessica’s service record speaks volumes for her dedication to the Newport Surf Lifesaving Club.
In addition to her Club Captain duties, Jess continued to support the club as a trainer, assessor, and facilitator. Her support of the express bronze, regular bronze course, SRC course, Nipper Basin camp, and IRB racing crew are great examples of her diverse contributions across the club. Jess also supports SNB Branch operations, including taking on the challenging roles of Duty Officer and Surfcom Operator.
Jessica was also one of two trainers who travelled to East Timor with the Pittwater Friends of Soibada to assist in first aid and CPR training.
She represented the club with distinction and was highly praised by the locals and those who arranged the trip.
Jan Proudfoot
Jan has been an absolute force at Newport Surf Club. In addition to her commitments as Honorary Secretary and sitting on the Executive and Management committees, Jan has been heavily involved in Sponsorship, Social, Publicity, and Pool-to-peak subcommittees. She involves herself in every aspect of the club, from Patrol to Competition.
Jan holds 46 awards, including Bronze, ARTC, First Aid, Silver Medallion Beach Management, and Gold Medallion.
Jan was also awarded the 10-Year National Patrol Service Award and was Captain of Patrol 13, then Co-Captain of Patrol 11.
Jan has stood on the committee as Social Secretary, Publicity Officer and Honorary Secretary.
On the competition front, Jan has won gold medals at Branch, State, National and World Championships.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD WINNERS FROM LAST SEASON
Phoebe Savage
In 2014, Phoebe received a bronze medallion. She immediately threw herself into every aspect of the club, joining the open water crew and learning new skills to compete on skis and boards. Phoebe also sought out further qualifications, obtaining her First Aid, ART, and IRB Crew awards in 2017 and Spinal Management and Beach Management awards in 2018. In 2018, she obtained her Gold Medallion, which she continues to hold.
Phoebe returns annually to the most gruelling race of the season – the Coolangatta Gold, regularly finishing in the top 10 Females in the Long Course and inspiring many other club members to give it a go.
Phoebe has been instrumental in developing the Lifesaving competition team, competing in Champion Lifesaver, Champion Patrol, and First Aid Competition. She continues to lead our Patrol Competition team as the Patrol Captain. Phoebe has spent time as the Head Coach of the Lifesaving team and continues to assist in coaching and mentoring. Phoebe has also qualified as an Official for the Lifesaving competition and is particularly well regarded as a First Aid Official.
Over the last few years, Phoebe has been a patrol Vice Captain and, in 2023, stepped into the role of Patrol Captain for her patrol, a role in which she excels.
Phoebe was the Patrol Club Person of the Year in 2020 and continues to provide outstanding and dedicated service to the club, always with the trademark Phoebe smile.
David Rees
Dave Rees came to Newport SLSC in 2014 when his sons Jayke and Guy were attracted by the competition opportunities provided by the fledgling Newport Surf Racing Academy.
Dave joined Bungan SLSC in 1984 to row surfboats with some rugby mates. He then moved to Collaroy SLSC and rowed with some success, winning an NZ championship in 1990.
On joining Newport, he quickly became indispensable to the logistics and support team. Dave is to be found towing trailers full of boards and skis up and down the coast more than a few times each season. He and his team are the first there, before dawn, at major carnivals, securing the best tent spot and the last to leave after packing the trailers. Dave made all the boards, skis, surfboats, reels, tents, and everything else fit into the container, come out and amazingly, all fit back in again.
At this year’s SNB Branch championships at Newport, Dave volunteered to manage all the work parties, set up, and pack up throughout the five days of competition.
He is the sort of member who, if you ask him to do something, you know it will be done well.
