Nic with proud dad and SLS SNB Branch President and fellow Bungan Beach SLSC member Rod McGibbon. Photo: Bungan Beach SL:SC
On Saturday November 1st the 2025 Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence were held at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel, where Australia’s top surf lifesavers were recognised for their dedication and commitment to their communities on SLSA’s night of nights, the National Awards of Excellence.
Among those named was Bungan Beach SLSC's Nic McGibbon as the Youth Lifesaver of the Year.
The citation reads:
'Nic McGibbon, from Bungan Beach SLSC, is one of the youngest members of his Club’s Board but already one of its most influential. As Director of Lifesaving, Patrol Captain, Training Officer, and IRB Racing Team Manager, Nic balances an incredible workload with humility, enthusiasm, and genuine care for others.
This season, he contributed over 258 patrol hours, led a full overhaul of patrol operations, and established an additional patrol team, ensuring consistent beach coverage for one of the Branches smallest Clubs. His innovation extended beyond his own Club, building an interClub training partnership with Long Reef SLSC, which improved candidate experience, reduced trainer fatigue, and doubled participation in IRB racing.'
Bungan Beach SLSC December 2024: Congratulations to all the new IRB Crew persons. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Long Reef SLSC and Bungan Beach SLSC for our 2 day IRB Crew Intensive. BBSLSC pic
'Through his training and mentorship, Nic has guided more than 40 members to new awards and piloted an IRB Engine Masterclass to grow technical knowledge. Passionate, capable, and inspiring across all ages, Nic is strengthening lifesaving today while building sustainable foundations for the future.''
Nic had been nominated and won the Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Branch award in 2023, as well as the Branch and State award this year, 2025.
Bungan Beach SLSC scooped a bag of recognitions in 2023 at the Sydney Northern Beaches Awards of Excellence. Nic McGibbon won Youth Lifesaver of the Year, Josh Bryden won Lifesaver of the Year, Rod McGibbon was awarded Distinguished Service by Branch and Matthew Lloyd won the Cupcake Award (first President to lodge report to Branch).
In 2021 Rod was awarded the National Medal – First Clasp - 25 years service, for his sustained service and commitment to Surf Life Saving.
National Medals are awarded to those individuals who risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law or in times of emergency or natural disaster.
Established in 1975 as a military recognition award, the National Medal has since branched out into government and voluntary organisations and is now Australia’s most awarded civil medal.
The National Medal is awarded to individuals on behalf of the Governor-General of Australia, and recognises long and diligent service in organisations that are dedicated to protecting life and property at a degree of risk to their members.
In 2024 the Youth Surf Life Saver was awarded to Eloise Love, Bungan Beach SLSC at the Branch Awards. That year Bungan Beach SLSC also nominated the Barker/Bungan SLS program in the Community Education Program of the Year category, Matthew Lloyd as the Bungan Beach Trainer of the Year, Bungan was one of 6 nominated for Club of the Year, their Humanitarian Pilot Program as Innovation Of The Year, Isabella Ball in the Surf Lifesaver Of The Year recognitions, Jess O’Bryan as Youth Volunteer of the Year and Rebecca Woodman in the Volunteer Of The Year category.
Fellow club member Tyson Dulieu was recognised in the same category and was Youth Lifesaver of the Year in the 2020 Branch Awards, the same year the Matthew Raymond Brown Radio Operator Award went to Sacha Dawson of Bungan Beach SLSC and Bungan's David Sams was named a Life Member of the SLS SNB Branch.
Clearly Bungan Beach SLSC members are going above and beyond, as they have for decades.
Stating 'there must be something in the water' at Bungan Beach SLSC would be an understatement.
Congratulations Nic, a well-deserved recognition of an outstanding and tireless effort to serve your community, surf club and fellow members through all you have done for years.