Your Year to Volunteer Starts Here
What does volunteering really look like?
For some, it starts with watching from the sidelines. For others, it’s signing up with friends or following a passion for the water. And sometimes, it begins with a simple decision to give something back.
This National Volunteers Week, we’re sharing stories from across Victoria that show there’s no single way to get involved in lifesaving. From families volunteering together, to first-year patrollers, to members stepping into leadership behind the scenes, each story reflects the same thing: a willingness to show up for their community.
Because volunteering isn’t just about what you give, it’s about what you gain along the way.
Meet some of our newest volunteers navigating their first year of volunteering.
Viljoen Family, Anglesea SLSC
Last summer was a memorable one for the Viljoen family, who stepped up in a big way to support Anglesa Surf Life Saving Club and the lifesaving movement.
Nadine, Bruce and their 13-year-old daughter Logan had been part of the club’s non-patrolling members for a few years. This season, though, they decided they wanted to do more.
“We had spent two seasons as parents on the beach, watching from the sidelines. At some point, it felt important to step in and contribute,” Nadine said.
Logan completed her Surf Rescue Certificate, Bruce got his Bronze Medallion and Nadine undertook her officials accreditation.
Bruce and Logan began patrolling together at Anglesea, keeping beachgoers safe in the water. Logan also assisted with water safety at the club, on top of participating in lifesaving sport.
Nadine took on officiating beach and ocean events, including the Junior Lifesaving Carnival held at Ocean Grove in February this year.
Ramping up their volunteer activities had been highly rewarding, Nadine said, and had helped to bring them closer together as a family.
“We leant into our community, found where we could add value, and it naturally became part of our rhythm.” Nadine said.
“It brings you closer to the community, and brings you a sense of purpose.”
If you’ve ever thought about joining lifesaving, this could be your year to volunteer.
Nicole Dean, Altona LSC
Nicole Dean originally became a member of Altona Life Saving Club to use the showers. Now, she’s on their committee!
The community and cammeraderie, she said, drew her in.
“I’ve loved it. I’ve made some really good friends. Everyone’s been so wonderful and welcoming. I couldn’t be happier,” she said.
An ocean swimmer in her spare time, Nicole signed up to the club with a few friends to use facilities after being out on the water. This led to her getting her Bronze, patrolling, participating in lifesaving sport and assisting with training.
When she offered to help process some memberships, she was asked to take on something bigger.
“I was asked, ‘how would you like to do administration?’” she said.
“They had an opening and I thought, ‘I can do that’.”
The administrator’s role has seen Nicole taking on extensive behind-the-scenes work in all aspects of club life from patrolling and sport to membership queries, training and communications.
“I really went from zero to 100. It’s been a big year. It’s been a really big year,” she said.
“I’ve had the best time. It’s nice to see how everything runs behind the scenes.”
She was proud to be able to contribute to her club, and the lifesaving movement as a whole.
“Lifesaving is a great cause, a great organisation to be part of, and I’m glad to be doing my bit,” she said.
If you’ve ever thought about joining lifesaving, this could be your year to volunteer.
Charlee-Faith, Sandringham SLSC
She’s 13 years old, and has already completed more than 130 patrol hours as a volunteer lifesaver.
What’s more, she racked up all those hours in her first patrol season!
Charlee-Faith joined Sandringham Life Saving Club at the end of 2024. Her parents saw it as a good opportunity for her to learn water safety skills.
After a season of Nippers, she stepped up to get her Surf Rescue Certificate in December last year so she could take part in patrols. Since then, Sandringham LSC has become “another home”.
“I was down there almost every weekend. I did four days at the end of the season for the long weekend,” she said.
“I really love it. I love going to lifesaving!”
A desire to help her community, and the exploits of the famed Bondi Beach lifeguards, inspired her to get involved.
“I grew up really loving Bondi Rescue,” she said.
“When I turned 13, I could do my SRC. I wanted to learn more skills as a medic and help people too.”
On top of her patrolling, Charlee-Faith has provided water safety to Nippers, and took part in an extended course on CPR to sharpen her skills further.
She hopes to use what she’s learned in lifesaving to make an even bigger contribution in the future.
“I would really love to be a paramedic or a surgeon, or go further with my lifesaving,” she said.
If you’ve ever thought about joining lifesaving, this could be your year to volunteer.