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Venus Bay IRB Women's Rescue Team, Morrie Tatnell and Jessica Woodward recognised as one of the winners for the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence 2026

Life Saving Victoria celebrates volunteer lifesavers, aquatic professionals and organisations at Awards of Excellence, recognising outstanding contributions to keeping Victoria’s waterways safe.

By news@gippsland - 18th August 2026 - Back to News

Volunteer lifesavers and aquatic industry professionals from across Victoria were recognised and celebrated at Life Saving Victoria’s Awards of Excellence. The annual event is an opportunity to acknowledge those who have made an outstanding contribution to public water safety. Awards recognise LSV volunteers who have excelled in all facets of lifesaving including emergency response, training, education, Nippers, sport, officiating and club administration.

Life Saving Victoria honoured lifesavers, aquatic professionals and organisations at its Awards of Excellence, recognising their outstanding contributions to water safety across Victoria's communities

Lifesaving excellence awards

Paid lifeguards, aquatic industry professionals, water safety educators and organisations that contribute to keeping the Victorian community safe were also commended at the awards. Winners included:

• Open Athlete of the Year Jemma Holt from Mordialloc LSC
• Education Instructor of the Year Caitlyn Overall
• Official of the Year Peter Van Deuren from Lorne SLSC
• Administrator of the Year Sam Ranson from Ocean Grove SLSC

The Seaspray SLSC Building Resilient Nippers Program took out the Nipper Program Achievement of the Year and Mildura LSC won the Community Education Achievement Award for their Multicultural and Remote Communities Engagement Initiative. About 600 people attended The Pullman in Albert Park for the awards presentation.

As well as recognising award recipients, the event is an opportunity for LSV to show its appreciation to all volunteers, staff, businesses and organisations who make an invaluable contribution to keeping Victoria's beaches and waterways safe. For further information contact the LSV Media team or 03 9676 6970.

Pictures from Life Saving Victoria Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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