Long-serving Red Beach club member Michelle Newton has been recognised by Surf Life Saving New Zealand for her services to the movement.
She was presented with an SLSNZ Distinguished Service Award at the Awards of Excellence function held at Auckland’s Heritage Hotel on Saturday 22 September.

The following summary of Michelle’s achievements was read out just before the presentation of the award ...

Michelle joined Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club in 1987 and obtained her Surf Lifeguard Award the same year. She competed for the club for six consecutive years and was a member of the winning Ladies March Past team at the NZ Surf Life Saving Championships in 1990. She obtained her Instructors Award in 1988 and was a member of the club committee for four years from 1991 to 1995.  As Chief Instructor, in 1992/93, she put through a record 47 Surf Lifeguard awards and was presented with Auckland Surf's Mainzeal Trophy for Instructor of the Year.  In total, she put through 91 Lifeguard Awards during her three years as Chief Instructor. 
In 1994 she joined the Auckland Surf Board of Judges, and for 24 consecutive seasons, through to present day, she has been an official and judge at surf carnivals.  She has been an official at the NZ Surf Life Saving Championships for the past 22 years, and officiated at the World Surf Life Saving Championships in Auckland in 1998.  She has been a judge and an official at the North Island Surf Boat Championships for the past 18 years.  Michelle has also officiated at the Big Wave Classic at Piha, the Owen Chapman Cup surf carnival, the NZ Surf Boat series, the SLSNR Pool Championships, Surf League and the BP Surf Rescue Championships (IRB Nationals). 
She was inducted to the 21 Club in 2009.  For the past six years she has been the Administration Manager at the IRB Nationals.  In 2010 she was back on the Red Beach Surf Club Committee for three years before being elected as the Chairperson for a further three years.  She has a Distinguished Service Award with both Red Beach SLSC and Surf Life Saving Northern Region.

Red Beach Surf Club extends its heartiest congratulations.

The SLSNZ Awards of Excellence Night under way at Auckland's Heritage Hotel.