Our Ella named Tasmania’s Young Volunteer of the Year

We already knew Ella Griffin was pretty special – and being named Young Volunteer of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Tasmania 2025–26 Awards of Excellence is wonderful recognition of just that.

For everyone at Boat Harbour Beach Surf Life Saving Club, it’s an incredibly proud moment – and wonderful recognition for a young woman who gives so much to our club, our members and surf lifesaving across Tasmania.

Ella joined Boat Harbour Beach SLSC at just 14 and threw herself into surf lifesaving, completing her Surf Rescue Certificate and Bronze Medallion back-to-back. Seven years later, she has become one of our most valued trainers, mentors and young leaders.

And if you spend any time around Ella, you quickly understand why.

She is calm, capable and incredibly generous with her time. She has a wonderful ability to make people feel comfortable, particularly younger or quieter members who might need a little extra encouragement to have a go.

During the past year alone, Ella has trained members in IRB Crew, SRC, Bronze Medallion and Advanced Resuscitation, as well as helping deliver Skills Maintenance. She was also Lead Trainer for Surf Life Saving Tasmania’s 2026 Women in Powercraft Program, helping women from across the state build their skills and confidence in IRB operations.

Her contribution extends well beyond Boat Harbour Beach. Ella has served as a Flood Rescue Responder, provided water safety at major events including Lake Barrington, supported Surf Life Saving Tasmania Development Camps and contributed to the State Lifesaving Advisory Committee.

But perhaps the best measure of Ella’s contribution isn’t the list of qualifications, programs or committees.

It’s the young people following behind her.

One of our 14-year-old members described Ella as someone who is “always so kind and calm”, while a 16-year-old Development Camp participant said Ella helped her overcome some very real fears.

Her final words probably say more about Ella’s impact than we ever could:

“Ella is amazing. I’d like to be like Ella for someone else one day.”

That’s what great volunteering looks like. It doesn’t just get the job done – it inspires someone else to step forward and do the same.

Ella, we are enormously proud of you. From the 14-year-old who first walked into our club wanting to learn, to the trainer, mentor and leader you are today, it has been pretty special to watch.

Congratulations Ella – Surf Life Saving Tasmania’s Young Volunteer of the Year. So very well deserved. ❤️💛