Katie Dixon is State's Life Saver of the Year

Ocean Beach Surf Life Saver Katie Dixon has taken out one of the top honours at this year's Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence held at Darling Harbour on Saturday, July 23.

Katie was named 2011 Surf Lifesaver of the Year for her commitment to Surf Life Saving.

She has been an active patrol member of Ocean Beach since 1995 and a patrol captain for 10 of those years and regularly conducts informal beach safety education sessions with the general public as part of her volunteer role.

Katie's patrol has won Patrol Team of the Year within the club many times, and she was awarded Club Person of the Year last year.

She was also named Lifesaver of the Year for the Central Coast Branch for the last two seasons.

The Branch of the Year award was jointly won by the Central Coast Branch and Far South Coast Branch.

Surf Life Saving NSW media manager Ms Donna Wishart said the Central Coast Branch has worked hard to implement new initiatives across all portfolios including lifesaving, surf sports, member services, training, community education and business services.

"The branch has helped clubs provide an outstanding service to their local community," she said.

The Central Coast Branch 15-17 years Youth Leaders Program also won Initiative of the Year and David Unger from Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club was awarded Surf Sports Official of the Year.

Media Release, 24 Jul 2011 Donna Wishart, SLS NSW