Community
20 June, 2026
Surf club stalwart is youth volunteer of year
ETTY Bay Surf Life Saving Club’s Jemimah Conroy has done her club proud after being named youth volunteer of the year, taking out the newly-introduced award at the 2025/2026 North Queensland Branch Awards of Excellence held in Cairns.
Ms Conroy, who joined the club as a six-year-old Nipper in 2016, has steadily built an impressive record of service and dedication.
She has completed every junior activity award from under-8 to under-13, followed by her Observers Award in 2022, first aid in 2023 and, most recently, her Bronze Medallion in 2025.
Although never a keen competitor, she showed determination from an early age, driven by a desire to patrol alongside her older sister and father.
She went on to earn her observers and radio certificates and has since logged 61 patrol and water safety hours, becoming known as one of the club’s quiet but committed achievers.
This year, Ms Conroy has stepped confidently into leadership roles both at school and within the club. As her school’s community awareness officer, she has promoted surf safety and encouraged peers to join the club.
She has also taken on the role of youth development officer at Etty Bay SLSC, leading a group of young members to Cairns for the North Queensland Branch’s first-ever ‘Level Up’ Youth Collective workshop, where she helped shape discussions about the future of lifesaving.
Etty Bay SLSC secretary Alana Witt said Ms Conroy’s dedication and willingness to learn made her a stand-out young leader.
“Jemimah is willing to take on new skills to become a better lifesaver and to help keep our beaches and community safe,” she said.
“She is a tireless fundraiser and proud member of the surf lifesaving family, understanding the effort and sacrifices of those who came before her.
“Jemimah is a worthy recipient of this award as she shows enthusiasm, community spirit and the courage to step outside her comfort zone while always giving her best.
“This award is fitting recognition for her countless hours of volunteering, community spirit, and positive promotion of surf lifesaving.”
Read More: Cassowary Coast