SLSQ Awards of Excellence: Coolangatta lifesaver awarded for years of work, list of every Gold Coast winner

Coolangatta lifesaver Belinda Doman among winners at SLSQ Awards of Excellence. LIST OF EVERY GOLD COAST WINNER

CoolangattaÕs Belinda Doman was named Volunteer of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Queensland 2020 Awards of Excellence, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the organisation. Picture Glenn Hamposon

COOLANGATTA surf lifesaver Belinda Doman started a journey with her beloved club nearly three decades ago and has since provided a sea of opportunities for female lifesavers across Queensland.

The 39-year-old was named Volunteer of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) Awards of Excellence, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the organisation.

In 1994 Ms Doman joined the Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club (CSLSC) under 13 program and over the past 26 years climbed the ranks and took on many roles.

CoolangattaÕs Belinda Doman was named Volunteer of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Queensland 2020 Awards of Excellence, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the organisation. Picture Glenn Hamposon

“Starting as a nipper and going all the way through to doing my SRCs, bronze medallion and patrolling, there are people who put so much time into helping you,” the mother-of-two said.

“Now it’s my time to help out the next generation.”

As well as completing a bachelor’s degree in human movement science, majoring in sports management, Ms Doman has worked in surf lifesaving most of her life and became SLSQ’s membership training officer in December.

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In 2018 she was made a life member of CSLSC and currently holds a combination of 13 volunteer positions and leadership roles within her club, as well as being one of 20 mentors in Surf Life Saving Australia’s new national women’s mentoring program.

"Once I finished my bronze medallion, most of my family dropped out of surf lifesaving and I almost dropped out as well but there were so many people at the club who took me under their wing and told me about all the different avenues I could take,” she said.

“Life saving has become a job and career for me and educating others has been extremely rewarding.

Surf Life saving Australia have launched a new female mentoring program. Some of the participants at Burleigh Heads are from left, Kerrie Barnes, Courtney Taylor, Courtney Hancock, Kylie Bade-Peters, and Belinda Doman. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The mentoring program runs for 12 months but I doubt the relationship you form with your mentee will end then.

“There are so many opportunities to form networks with all of the mentors and mentees.

“It’s going to be good to hear how other clubs are doing different things around Australia and where we can help each other out because there’s a lot of working in silos but we have a real chance to reinvent the wheel.”

The awards were held online over Wednesday and Thursday nights. Ms Doman watched with a group friends.

“Normally at an event like that you’d get to share the privilege of winning with other victors and celebrate together,” Ms Doman said.

SLSQ 2020 Awards of Excellence Gold Coast Winners

SLSC MEMBERSHIP AWARDS:
U18 Junior Surf Lifesaver of the Year – Dylan Chapman, Miami Beach SLSC
Andy Frizzell OAM OBE Award for service to Junior Activities - Vaughn Thomas, Tweed Heads and Coolangatta
Junior & Youth Development Club of the Year - Miami Beach SLSC

LIFESAVING AWARDS:
Operations Support Person of the Year - Brenden Scoffell, Gold Coast
Volunteer of the Year – Belinda Doman, Coolangatta SLSC
Marsh Club of the Year – Kirra Surf Life Saving Club
Clive Hammond OAM Medal – Scott Burgess, Tallebudgera SLSC

SURF SPORT AWARDS:
Junior Athlete of the Year - Riley Brennan, Currumbin SLSC
Youth Athlete of the Year - Connor Peabody, Kurrawa SLSC
ports Rookie Official of the Year - Nicolas Perugino, Palm Beach SLSC
Sports Team Manager of the Year - Margaret Cargoni, Coolangatta SLSC
Volunteer Coach of the Year - Andrew McAuliffe, Kirra SLSC
Professional Coach of the Year - Zayne Hamill, Surfers Paradise SLSC
Masters Athlete of the Year – Steven Fry, Northcliffe SLSC
Sports Team of the Year - Open Female IRB Team, Kirra SLSC

LIFESAVING EXCELLENCE AWARDS:
Jack Dearlove MBE Medal - for Lifesaving Excellence - Outstanding Rescue - Clayton Schilg, Tweed Heads and Coolangatta SLSC
Professor Tess Cramond AO OBE Medal - for Lifesaving Excellence - Outstanding Resuscitation - Patrol 5 and 6, Nobby’s Beach SLSC