Tilly Cooper with her debut children’s book, A Day of New Adventures. Photo: Michael Mannington OAM
Teen and youth leader Tilly Rose Cooper has announced the launch of her debut children’s book, A Day of New Adventures — an uplifting story inspired by her own journey as a young Nipper at Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club.
The story follows Emily, a child experiencing her first day at Nippers, capturing the excitement of joining the surf club while exploring themes of trust, courage, friendship, family values, and water safety. Illustrated by Mona Vale SLSC member Richard Perry, the book aims to inspire families to discover the Nippers program together and help children build confidence in and around the ocean.
Tilly, who continues to make a positive impact through several community initiatives — including My Fijian Clothes Drive and The Electric Way to Pedal, an e-bike safety awareness project — says the book is her way of giving back.
“Surf lifesaving has given me confidence, courage, and a second family,” Tilly said. “I wanted to create something that helps other kids feel the same sense of belonging and bravery. This book is for every child stepping into the waves for the first time.”
A dedicated champion of community spirit, Tilly recently received the Global Leadership Network’s Next Gen Step-Up Challenge for her work supporting children and families in Fiji through her My Fijian Clothes Drive. The Global Leadership Network’s Next Gen Step-Up Challenge invited young people to share their leadership impact in 60-second short films, capturing what it means to step up, make tough choices, and lead for others.
Tilly also proudly serves as an Ambassador for the Kimaya Brighter Minds Program, promoting youth leadership and positive decision-making across Fiji and Australia.
Tilly began her own surf club adventure at Mona Vale SLSC as a 5 year-old Nipper and gradually built confidence through learning new skills - she also made a ton of new friends.
Since completing her first 'Iron Person' race in the U13's, Tilly has been part of the MVSLSC Nippers March Past Team that won gold medals at Branch and State Championships. In 2024 Tilly was announced as Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Branch Female Nipper of the Year. Now, as an U15, she has qualified as a Junior Lifesaver and has commenced patrolling Mona Vale beach alongside her proud mum and dad.
Her nan’s heartfelt words capture the spirit behind Tilly’s work:
“This book is not just about Nippers — it holds so many other values: grandparents, love, forgotten memories, and family.”
The first 100 books purchased come with a “Tilly Tote Bag – A Day of New Adventures”, thanks to Ben Spackman, Raine & Horne, Mona Vale.
Tilly explains ''I thought of this idea as a little extra Christmas gift that the younger readers might enjoy using as a library or beach bag.''
Printed copies are now available for purchase at cost, for $20. If anyone would like a copy, they can contact the Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club office on 9145 2987, or reach out to Tilly's mum, Allison, via allison@steamit.com.au or 0422 317 995.
Let's hear from the author herself:
The book you’ve written is called ‘A Day of New Adventures’ – where does the title come from?
I’ve always looked as Mona Vale Surf Club and Nippers as a big adventure for myself. My dad and my grandfather were the first father-son members at Mona Vale SLSC so it was inevitable that I did Nippers and I found that Nippers was a whole new adventure for myself.
What sort of adventures were there? Were you learning something new, making new friends or?
All of it really. From the moment you get there you’re full of nerves, as you would be when you start an adventure, say in the jungle; you’d be nervous through not knowing what to expect. Then when you get to Nippers, starting in the Under 6’s, which is our youngest Age Division, again you don’t know what to expect, but then you do all these activities with water and the sand and learning about lifesaving. The whole concept of it is just one big adventure each day. Each week, on Sunday, you don’t know what to expect and each time it’s a whole new adventure all over again – it’s never the same thing - and you make so many new friends.
You’re out of Nippers now – have you done your Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) and are you doing any Patrols this Season?
I have done my SRC and I have done some Patrols this Season, around 4 or 5 so far. I’m on with my dad and my amazing Patrol Captain Simon.
Why did you want to continue?
For me personally, I always had a strong connection with the club through my parents and grandparents. I really wanted to share part of that with them. I love everyone in the surf club, there are so many different personalities and different people that you meet and I really wanted to stay a part of that. It’s a little community, a great community.
You have been speaking up and supporting change on a few things in recent years – safe use of e-bikes and then last year you initiated the Fijian Swimsuit Drive and you recently won first prize in the Global Leadership Network’s Next Gen Step-Up Challenge for that – where does this sense of wanting to look after others come from Tilly?
Honestly, that’s kind of a hard question as I don’t really know where it comes from. My family is very important to me and a lot of what I do comes from my family. My grandmother used to be very heavily involved in the community and helping the community, and so did my Pop on both sides, they were both involved in supporting the community or doing things for the community through school projects, through choirs, through riding with the disabled, all sorts of projects. Whilst they are two quite different people – one comes from a farming community and the other from the beach – they both contributed to our community and did so much for others. That’s why I dedicated my book to my grandparents.
I also think being involved in a surf club has something to do with it as well. When you’re involved in a surf club you’re learning about being of service to others and your community, and learning the skills to be able to do that - so that, 100%, would also be part of it.
So who are your grandparents?
My grandparents on my dad’s side are Aunie and George Cooper and my grandparents on my mum’s side are Ian and Barbara Donald. My grandfather, Ian Donald, passed away last year, so it really made me want to get on and do the book – so it’s in honour of all three of my grandparents - I’ve got one left.
So what is the best thing about being involved in a surf club – what do you look forward to outside of your patrols hours?
When I get to Monday I begin to look forward to going to the surf club again, because then I’ll get to see everyone again, especially with my experience of the surf club; there are certain people who make the whole atmosphere so welcoming and enjoyable – you want to be there, you never don’t. There are so many people at the surf club at so many different levels doing so many different things. We have people with a disability who are members, people who are nervous around the surf, people who thrive in the surf – there are so many different little communities within the surf club itself which all have their own story.
So if you were to come to the meat raffle on a Friday night you would meet all these different people. Just to sit with them and have a talk with them opens up knowing more about other people’s worlds and viewpoints and experiences. One thing they all have in common is the community of Mona Vale Surf Club. I enjoy it because I have a lot of relationships within the club; I get involved with the surfriders on the boards and obviously my Patrol. I’m waiting for surf boats. My dad does surf boats, he’s a sweep – so next Season, when I can get my Bronze, I can do surf boats.
So I enjoy all aspects of the surf club - I can’t really explain it – it’s like the flutter you get in your stomach - when someone asks you what you love about it; you can’t really explain because you love everything about it, the whole of it. Well, that's how it is for me at least.
Tilly with her dad, Kai Cooper
What was it like to win first place in the Global Leadership Network’s Next Gen Step-Up Challenge?
That was absolutely incredible. When we found out I had my friend and my family around me, a good day. It was incredible because I was up against some absolutely phenomenal entrants who had dome some crazy things. I was also very grateful that I was recognised for what I had done with the My Fijian Swimsuit Drive. That itself was just a whole new experience and a whole new world. The response from the community was incredible and it was a huge success. I’d like to really thank everyone who donated swimming costumes – thank you very much. This showed me that giving to others is part of our whole community.
I also won $500 with that and had a nice shopping spree with that.
What did you buy?
I bought mum a pair of shoes - by Jo Mercer – and then I whittled away some on Alana Maria, some food, some sandals – they were my big purchases probably.
The other part of this is quite exciting as my story will now be shared as part of the 2026 Next Gen curriculum and will be showcased in schools around Australia and New Zealand.
So hopefully you will inspire others to help others if they can?
I really hope so because one thing that really came out of the My Fiji Drive, that really stuck with me, was when a gentleman came up to me and said: ‘you see so much negativity on the six o’clock news, there’s so much violence and anger and not much that is just happiness’.
‘I loved watching you because you brought a smile and happiness to people watching the tv, you inspired others to do things for others.’
That really stayed with me; I didn’t realise this could have an impact on someone. I don’t think you realise until you sit back and reflect on it that you get to ‘wow, we really did do something’.
When I say ‘we’ I mean my mum and I. A lot of the things I do, from the Next Gen, to the My Fiji Drive, to the surf club to my book, I couldn’t have done without my mum. She is a massive part of everything I do – I have my dad and my Nan but mum is there every moment, nagging me to write these emails, to do the work. I really couldn’t do it without my mum.
Tilly Rose and Allison Cooper
Yes; she is a bit of a legend your mum, has been for some time… always looking out for others and doing whatever she can for the community.
Yes, she is – and she has got a good name …
(Tilly Rose and interviewer laugh – explainer: Tilly’s mum’s name is ‘Allison’, interviewer is also an Alison, so there’s an ongoing joke whereby they call each other ‘the other Allison/Alison’ so it’s not like they’re talking to themselves)
How old are you now Tilly Rose?
I’m 14.
What are your favourite places in Pittwater and why?
We’ve already gone right through that in my answers.
Sure, you could probably go Mona Vale Beach, but are there any others? Do you ever go anywhere else?
When I’m not there I’m at home. Actually, one of my favourites would be Mona Vale headland (Robert Dunn Reserve – which looks north in aspect over Mona Vale Beach and south over Warriewood Beach).
When I was little my mum and I would walk up there a lot, it was a lovely debrief for both of us. We could both talk about where we were going and what we wanted to do for the week; it was just a lovely time. Usually we’d see my dad rowing out from Mona Vale beach and my dog, who passed away sadly, he used to run around and then another dog would run around with him. It’s so beautiful up there, it’s so scenic, and like having some time in your own little world for the people of Mona Vale. It’s a special place. You get your occasional whale and dolphin.
I also love going on the Palm Beach ferry. My Nan and I go on the Palm Beach ferry to Ettalong and we have what we call ‘our adventure of the day’ where we’ll go out somewhere. We’ll head to Ettalong and have a picnic there and catch the ferry to get there. Last time we were quite lucky because we saw whales breaching right beside the ferry.
It’s beautiful over there – there are lovely coastal walks at Ettalong, and the whole day is lovely because I just get to spend it with her and I.
What is your ‘moto for life’ or a favourite phrase that you try to live by?
Two that we do in school which I really like are:
Fortiter et Suaviter which translates to "With Strength and Gentleness".
This motto guides Brigidine schools by encouraging students and the community to develop moral courage and strength of character while also acting with kindness, empathy, and consideration for others. It reflects the belief that strength and gentleness are not opposing forces but are complementary qualities, embodying the founder Bishop Daniel Delany's maxim, "Nothing is as strong as gentleness; nothing is as gentle as real strength".
As a Brigidine girl I really love that.
The other that I really love is:
Stay True, Stay You, Speak Up, Stand Tall.
Both of those would probably be what I love at present – if you were to make a person and they had those traits, that would be incredible.
Aune Onerva Cooper OAM (Honours List of January 26 2004 'For service to the community of Bungan Beach'), and George William Cooper, Life Member and former President of Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club, epitomised 'looking after and building up community spirit. A special celebration of their lives took place at Mona Vale Surf Club on 25th June 2022 - excerpts of which may be heard here.
Tilly Rose with a portrait of her dad and his dad that is housed in Mona Vale SLSC clubhouse
January 2025 report: Tilly Rose Cooper's Swimwear Drive For Fijian Youngsters
Sydney Student Wins National Leadership Prize for Life-Changing Swimwear Drive in Fiji
Students across Australia and New Zealand have shown that the future of leadership is in safe hands. The Global Leadership Network’s Next Gen Step-Up Challenge invited young people to share their leadership impact in 60-second short films, capturing what it means to step up, make tough choices, and lead for others.
This year’s first place winner is Tilly Rose Cooper from Brigidine College, St Ives (Sydney), who impressed judges with her courage, creativity, and compassion.
Seeing that children in Fiji lacked safe swimwear, Tilly didn’t stand by. She organised a swimwear drive, rallied her school and community, and ensured these children could be safer around water. Her initiative proves how one student’s idea, when backed by action, can make a life-changing difference, reaching beyond borders and inspiring others to lead with empathy and courage.
As the winner of the Next Gen Prize, Tilly’s story will now gain national recognition. Her film will be showcased in schools across Australia and New Zealand as part of the 2026 Next Gen curriculum, inspiring tens of thousands of young people to step up as change agents and global citizens.
GLNA Next Gen also congratulates our outstanding runners-up:
- Second Place – Oliver Murfin, Swan Christian College: recognised for creating an online platform that empowers student leadership across his school.
- Third Place – Georgie Towner, Mandurah Baptist College: celebrated for leading her team to support junior leadership development in their school.
“These young leaders aren’t waiting for permission, they’re stepping up, solving problems, and leading change,” said Fiona Cochrane, Next Gen Director for the Global Leadership Network Australia.
The Step-Up Challenge is part of the Global Leadership Network Australia’s Next Gen initiative, which empowers more than 14,000 young people each year to lead positively in their schools, communities, and beyond.
The Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) course is the introductory award for a patrolling surf lifesaver, which can be achieved from the age of 13. This course helps to prepare participants for active patrolling duties that may include rescue skills, first aid, and resuscitation. Participants test their practical learning skills and explore the theoretical side of surf lifesaving, including safety knowledge and surf awareness.
Photos by Michael Mannington OAM, Community Photography and Features Photographer, Pittwater Online News