A YOUNG lifesaver has been recognised for over a decade of volunteer work with the Bonbeach Life Saving Club by being nominated for the Premier’s Volunteer Champion Awards.
Carrum VCE student Chelsey Reindel said she was “quite honoured” to have received the nomination.
“I didn’t go into life saving thinking I’d get something out of it. It was more just to help the community out and help people learn new skills,” she said.
Ms Reindel first joined the life saving club 15 years ago at the age of three, and has taken on more responsibility over the years. The club has repaid her efforts by putting her up for the award.
“I’ve been coaching Nippers for a couple of years now. I have also helped with a multicultural group that we have that have never seen the water before. Basically we help them come out and start doing life saving and start enjoying the beach,” she said.
“I didn’t know I was put up for this award until I got told by the life saving club. Someone else puts you up for it, and they did.”
Ms Reindel and the other nominees in the award will attend a function at Government House on 9 September, where winners will be announced. One of the 60 nominees will be recognised as Victoria’s Volunteer of the year, and receive $10,000 to be donated to the charity of their choice.
The award was won last year by Riley Briese, an equality advocate who was recognised for his work with transgender people in regional Victoria.
Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny also applauded Ms Reindel for her work with the lifesaving club.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our community with wonderful people like Chelsey giving up their time for others. This is truly something to celebrate and these awards are our way of saying thank you” Ms Kilkenny said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 29 August 2018
