If you missed our AGM on Friday evening you missed some pretty special news!! Our members voted and unanimously endorsed and awarded Life Membership to THREE of our amazing members. So, who are these fabulous Clubbies?!?
Introducing…
Albany SLSC Life Member: BYRON BIRD
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Since joining Albany SLSC in December 2004 with his young family, Byron Bird has demonstrated outstanding commitment and distinguished service to Albany Surf Life Saving Club most noticeably in lifesaving activities, support operations and surf boat rowing. Byron is a valuable and active volunteer surf lifesaver who has completed 460.67 career patrol hours with Albany SLSC. He has gained and is currently proficient in many SLSA awards including Bronze medallion, ART, First Aid, IRB Crew, Silver Medallion IRB Driver, Pain Management, RWC Operator, SSV Operator, Level 1 Surf Coach, S2 Boat Sweep Accreditation, Development Coach Surf Boat and WA Trainer and Assessor (RWC).
Byron has given his time freely to the club and its lifesaving operations whilst also balancing the commitments of family and being self-employed. Since joining the team in 2011, Byron has played a fundamental role in the Albany Support Operations/Emergency Response team. Byron has been a significant contributor in the team’s successful attempts to build and maintain a strong collaborative relationship between Albany SLSC and other emergency response agencies including Albany Sea Rescue Squad, Water Police and other SLSCs.
Being a member of this team requires a high level of commitment and dedication to training, education and personal fitness all of which Byron has maintained over many years. It is a role that at times is physically and mentally draining often with undesirable outcomes. In 2015, Byron was one of four Albany SLSC Wesfarmers Emergency Response Team who were awarded a Surf Life Saving Australia meritorious award. This was given in recognition of going above and beyond the call of duty and consistently putting their lives at risk in trying coastal conditions. In 2015, the team responded to four emergency rescue and recovery efforts in a six-week period and on three occasions they were not successful outcomes. However, Byron and the team never gave up and continued to respond to the call for help despite the incredibly dangerous risk involved.
Byron’s contribution to surf lifesaving, in particular Support Operations, is held in high regard at State level. This is best demonstrated by Byron being named a finalist in the 2015 SLSWA Awards of Excellence Support Operations Volunteer of the Year and then being announced as the winner of this prestigious award in 2021.
Byron has also demonstrated exceptional leadership within our surf sports scene particularly in our surf boat teams. Keen to motive, inspire and support our boaties, Byron has completed training required to become an accredited surf boat sweep and development coach. He has competed for many years in surf boats with success at WA States, Aussies and the Worlds which has required long term commitment to training and skill development. In 2015, Byron was acknowledged by our club for his involvement in surf boats and awarded the Boatie of the Year.
The Life Members of Albany SLSC recommended that Byron Bird be bestowed with life membership for his sustained and distinguished volunteer service to Albany SLSC over the past 20 years.
Congratulations Byron! 
