Three leaders and one club within Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) have been awarded the 2025 TasPorts Leadership Scholarships, in recognition of their passion for building safer communities and stronger surf life saving clubs.
Posted
01 September 2025
This year’s recipients - Jesse Beveridge, Ryan Irvine, Vanessa Copeland, and Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club - will be supported to take on unique development opportunities designed to strengthen leadership, innovation, and connection in the surf life saving community.
Now in its third year, the TasPorts Leadership Scholarship program reflects the strong partnership between TasPorts and SLST. Together, the organisations share a commitment to safer waterways and developing the next generation of leaders.
SLST CEO, Tony van den Enden, congratulated the recipients and the significant roles they play in our community.
“These development opportunities will deliver real benefits — not just to each recipient, but to surf life saving across Tasmania,” he said.
“With the generous support of TasPorts, we can continue to inspire our members to reach their full potential while strengthening marine safety in Tasmania.”
TasPorts General Counsel and Company Secretary, Angie Somann-Crawford said, “the Leadership Scholarship program provides opportunities for members to take on professional development that makes a real difference in their communities.
"We’re proud to support initiatives that build capability, strengthen leadership, and ultimately help keep Tasmanians safe on the water,” she said.
As State Duty Officers, Jesse Beveridge and Ryan Irvine play a critical role in coordinating responses to incidents across Tasmania’s coastline. Their scholarship will take them to New South Wales, where they’ll visit the Surfcom and Duty Officer system — one of the largest and most advanced in the country.
The experience will expose them to best-practice, large-scale incident coordination and response systems, with valuable insights set to flow back into Tasmania’s own approach.
Vanessa Copeland will take part in a program of mentoring and observation at interstate surf life saving events. Vanessa will focus on innovation in event management, use of technology, and leadership in officiating. Her goal is to improve the experience for everyone involved in Tasmanian surf sports — from competitors and officials to the volunteers who make events possible.
“I want to bring back new ideas and efficiencies that make our events more enjoyable and accessible, and encourage more people to get involved at every level,” Vanessa said.
At the club level, Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club will deliver a social communications development program aimed at empowering their younger members. The initiative will build digital skills and confidence, helping youth members take active leadership roles in promoting surf life saving.
The project is designed to strengthen community engagement and inspire the next generation of surf life saving leaders in Tasmania.