Stidwell Medal for decades of surf club service

After nearly 30 years with the Albany Surf Life Saving Club, hardworking volunteer administrator Perdie Beebe has been recognised with the 2019 Mike Stidwell Medal.

Now in her second stint as the administration director of ASLSC, Ms Beebe has been presented the Stidwell Medal part of National Volunteer Week.

The annual award honours the memory of former Department of Sport and Recreation regional manager Mike Stidwell and is presented to a nominee from the Great Southern who has made an outstanding contribution to sport administration.

ASLSC’s administration director position for the past six years, she is also involved in the club’s nipper program, serves as an age group co-ordinator and helps with water safety.

One of five nominees for the 2019 medal, Ms Beebe said it was a huge honour to be recognised in her community.

“I was pretty stunned when I found out,” she said.

“It’s a great honour. There are so many people here in my club that volunteer and lots of work goes on behind the scenes.

“I’ve been a member here since 1992, my family were all members and now my four children plus my niece and nephew are members and it’s a great active, family-based club.

“It is so important living on the coastline that you are able to keep yourself safe first and foremost and then other people.”

Ms Beebe said the ASLSC had enjoyed a membership spike in recent years and with 497 members, the challenge was getting more volunteers.

“We have surf kids aged 3-4 up to people in their 80s,” she said.

“Its about sharing the workload as volunteers and getting more people to give back. (Coronavirus) has given us the chance to re-group and re-structure things, and at our last board meeting we decided to put a youth member on the board to get more youth engaged.”

Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Great Southern regional manager Chris Thompson congratulated Ms Beebe on the award.

“Perdie Beebe is a worthy recipient of the 2019 Mike Stidwell Medal and is highly regarded by the ASLSC, where she has given years of volunteer support and outstanding and vital administration services,” he said.

Other nominees for the 2019 Mike Stidwell Medal were Rosalind Paull (Denmark Riverside Club, Denmark Bowling Club, Great Southern Bowling League), Ryan Kinnear (Albany & Districts Cricket Association, Albany Cricket Association, Manypeaks Cricket Club), Michelle Ericsson (King River Pony Club, Pony Club Association of Western Australia Great Southern Zone) andShelley McLennan (Albany Sea Dragons Rugby League Club and women’s AFL).