Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many volunteers in Wentworth who dedicate themselves to protecting our community and our precious coastal environment. First, I'd like to congratulate Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club for their outstanding success in the recent Surf Life Saving Sydney Branch Awards of Excellence. For over a century, Tamarama have welcomed and safeguarded locals and visitors, and their impact is profound. At the awards, Tamarama was named club of the year. The education team won service team of the year, and Amelia Curtis was named administrator of the year. They also received the innovation award for establishing the women-in-lifesaving network—now embraced by neighbouring clubs. These honours are a credit to president Sandra Fox and her exceptional team, and it's pretty incredible they did this all while trying to finalise a really beautiful renovation.

I also want to acknowledge other local clubs for their achievements. Clovelly's Glen Clarke won facilitator of the year and Dominic Winkle won volunteer of the year. Bronte won rescue of the month in March 2025. North Bondi won joint rescue of the month in February 2025 with Bondi. Bondi's Dori Miller won masters athlete of the year, Robyn Carr won official of the year and Gareth 'Chop' Robinson won surf lifesaver of the year. These winners now progress to the New South Wales awards in August, and I wish them every success.

It is a privilege to represent some of Sydney's coastal communities, where volunteers not only save lives but also care deeply for the environment. I recently spoke with Sarah Han-de-Beaux, a shark researcher and member of Dive Centre Bondi. Sarah also manages Spot A Shark, a community science project that collects photos of grey nurse sharks from diver interactions along Australia's east coast. Fearsome as they may look in their classic shark physique with pointy snout and visible teeth—I have to say, the first time I ever dived with sharks, I was quite intimidated as they glided passed—grey nurse sharks are, in fact, gentle giants. Some of them are very well known to locals. Phil, Mia, Harry, Megan, Georgie and Winston are just some of the grey nurse sharks that have been spotted at dive sites along Bondi and South Head. Sadly, this species is listed as critically endangered on the east coast of Australia due to habitat degradation and the impacts of fishing and mitigation strategies like shark nets.

People like Sarah and programs like Spot A Shark are essential in supporting research, building awareness and driving conservation. In a week when many of us have been invited to the screening of Ocean, I echo the spirit of David Attenborough. Let's follow the examples of our surf lifesaving clubs and citizen scientists and protect the extraordinary community and environment we are lucky to share. I'm proud that protecting the oceans is going to be really important focus for me in this term.

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