Lachie, leading the way!

Lachie Eaton is one of our Anglesea Surf Rescue (ASR) patrol captains. He was recently advised he has been selected to attend the Surf Life Saving National Leadership College. The National Leadership College (NLC) is an annual leadership and development program recognising young leaders in Surf Life Saving (SLS) aged between 20 and 30 years. Participants come from a variety of clubs, roles and SLS backgrounds.

The NLC provides an exciting opportunity for members within the movement to further develop their leadership skills and continue to positively contribute to the success of SLS. As well as learning new skills and creating opportunities for personal growth, NLC will open new networks with other likeminded passionate members across the country, who are also committed to making a difference within the movement. The NLC is designed to challenge participants intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. The skills gained are designed to be taken back to clubs and into other areas of the participant’s daily life, with the aim of contributing to SLSA’s mission statement of saving lives, creating great Australians and building better communities.

Lachie studies medicine at Monash University where he has one year left in his degree. He has been a member of the club since signing up to do Bronze when he was 17 after being told by friends who had done it the year before how much fun it was. Apart from being a patrol captain, Lachie is also the current Chief Instructor. He applied to be a part of the course to SLSA, was endorsed by Life Saving Victoria and of course Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club. Lachie loves the friendly atmosphere around ASLSC and its events and really enjoys helping other people gain new skills and knowledge through Bronze and other awards. Lachie is looking forward to gaining new leadership skills and ideas at the course that he can bring back to Anglesea and implement in his current roles.

Each day of the program includes keynote speakers, elective sessions, activities and challenges relating to the leadership theme of the day. Each participant will be allocated a mentor and have ongoing opportunities for review and further development.

Participants also benefit from exposure to the larger national movement. Networking with members from clubs nationally is a highlight for participants as they share ideas and create new friendships and networks. Participants have the opportunity to see the big picture for SLS as they gain greater exposure to national goals and aspirations. Through the sharing of ideas, resources and future directions, NLC provides an opportunity to create an effective national movement.

Congratulations Lachie – we are super proud of you being selected and we know you will represent Anglesea Surf Life Saving club with absolute distinction. The 2020 National Leadership College will be held from Sunday 2 to Saturday 8 February 2020, at Backpackers Base Sydney.