Janice Creenaune meets two surf life saving volunteers at Coledale Beach – Director of Lifesaving Craig Walker and Tamara Lilliendal, patrolling member and vice-captain of Blue Patrol. Photo: Janice Creenaune.
Lifeguards and volunteer life savers are crucial in ensuring that all people experience safe and enjoyable visits to the beach.
Coledale Surf Club volunteers Tamara Lilliendal and Craig Walker have offered many hours of training, skill building and surf knowledge, all while remaining passionate about the surf-lifesaving movement.
“I joined over 20 years ago, as a Nipper parent,” Craig says, “My children may now be grown, but I am still here, loving every minute of my roles, both at Coledale Beach and wider at NSW level.”
Tamara, who lives across the road from the beach, began at a younger age.
“I started in the Under 6s and moved up the age groups to Rookie Level, a SRC (Surf Resuscitation Certificate), the Bronze Medallion and a patrolling member with all duties, then Silver Medallion and service in Beach Management and Vice-Captain of Blue Patrol, Advanced Resuscitation and First Aid and then Support Operations up-skilling in Rescue Water Craft (jet ski) etc. I have loved every moment of my participation.”
Tamara is studying a Bachelor of Social Science and aims to become a primary teacher.
Craig is equally inspiring. A security manager at Chubb for 34 years, his role as Director of Lifesaving, Coledale (Club Captain) involves facilitating training and assessments for awards.
“I am also a State Welfare Officer in supporting peers right across the state during and after critical incidents. We offer the initial support to members and act as a conduit for them to find the appropriate support required by utilising our Employee Assistance Program,” Craig says.
“I have my own career that I still enjoy and Tamara is working hard for her future at university. Volunteering is definitely the way forward for us and many others in the surf life saving movement.
“Our families enable it all to happen. They are key people in our lives. Even my employer, Chubb, allows me time off to perform duties in times of critical incidents and crisis.”
Tamara agrees and also highlights the camaraderie within the Coledale club.
“One day a week I offer my services, but the friendships grow over the years and intergenerational and I love going to the beach. I always have, so the enjoyment keeps growing,” Tamara says.
“As experienced locals we know this particular beach well. We understand the rips, the breaks and watch for problems. We try to prevent problems arising and are definitely pro-active and teach beach safety and culture all the time.
“For small children we concentrate on educating their parents. Above all: No Flags, No Swim.”
Craig’s continued experience and dedication to training ensure all members of Coledale Surf Club are fit and skilled. This is important not only for the longevity of the club but for visitors’ safety.
“Our demographics have changed over the years,” he says.
“It is no longer merely locals, but visitors from over the mountain, Penrith, Revesby and other suburbs in Sydney. However, it is important to remember that not all have local knowledge or surf knowledge at all.
“So we are always looking for community members, in particular, to join our club and gain new skills and above all patrol our beach for the safety and benefit of all visitors.”
Tamara says Covid issues impacted Nipper numbers but the club is “working hard to entice some members to return and other new members to join”.
Visit coledalebeach.com.au for more details.
Janice is a volunteer for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com
