Celia Waugh’s three-decade dedication to Albany Surf Life Saving Club recognised by WA Women’s Hall of Fame

When Celia Waugh became involved with the Albany Surf Life Saving Club more than three decades ago as “just a mum”, she had no idea of the journey it would eventually lead her on. Last week, her continued dedication to the club over 34 years saw her inducted into the sport category of the WA Women’s Hall of Fame. The dedicated volunteer, who is already a life member of both ASLSC and Surf Life Saving WA, was one of 16 new inductees added to the hall of fame at a ceremony coinciding with International Women’s Day on Friday. When informed about the honour, Ms Waugh said she was overwhelmed and moved to tears. “It’s supremely overwhelming to be even considered to be among this list of people, past and present,” she said. “The ones that were inducted with me and the ones that have been included previously — it’s quite mind-blowing really.” Ms Waugh became involved in the club when daughters Megan and Rebecca were 11 and eight. She helped “basically restart” ASLSC when she encouraged several young swimmers to transfer from training at the pool to the beach. “I got to the surf club and somebody said to me ‘Do you want to do your bronze medallion?’ and I said ‘What’s that?’,” she said. “I’d never been in a surf club, I’d never been on a board, and we had to do belt-reel rescues in those days. “I said ‘why not?’ without having a clue what it was I had to do, and over the four weeks of doing that course I was on such a high.” Ms Waugh has held various official positions at ASLSC over the years, but one of the things she has most enjoyed doing is watching people — adults as well as juniors — develop within the club. She takes pride in the role she has played educating others as well as guiding juniors through the SLSWA’s varied pathway programs. “When you can see that joy in making some kid’s life different and empowering them to be leaders, it is a joyful thing,” she said. “I’ve got so many stories over the years of kids that continue coming back to the club with their kids, and we’ve got the next generation coming on now.” Aside from her role within the Albany club, Ms Waugh has also helped with training at other clubs within the region, and travelled internationally in her roles. She said the opportunities surf lifesaving had given her had been amazing and she had no idea her involvement would take her on such a journey. “I was just a mum at a club who lived one street back from the beach . . . and 34 years on I’m still there,” she said. “And I’m still loving it and I’m still feeling that same joy when I see these kids do wonderful things.” Ms Waugh thanked the Albany branch of Soroptimist International for compiling her nomination. The group was also involved in putting forward successful nominees last year. “Around Albany, there are so many amazing women who do amazing things, but it takes somebody nominating them to be actually recognised,” Ms Waugh said.