A lifesaving legend’s volunteer voyage
Craig Holden has been dedicating his free time to surf lifesaving in Queensland for over 45 years and was recently bestowed the National Medal with second clasp to recognise his service as a volunteer.
Craig joined the Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club as a nipper and is now a Life Member who volunteers his time wearing multiple hats across the club.
His main volunteer roles are surf lifesaving coach and patrolling surf lifesaver (as well as being Patrol Captain for over 25 years). If those roles weren’t enough, Craig is also the club’s Surf Sports Officer, sitting on the club management committee.
Craig is extremely proud that his parents, brother and wife are also all Life Members of the Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), which is how he first became involved in the sport. He is also a Life Member of the Wide Bay Capricorn Branch of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) and joins his parents as Life Members of SLSQ – the first father-mother-son trio to achieve this accomplishment.
Craig’s volunteer coaching journey has also spanned more than 25 years, covering local, regional, state and national levels, with diverse responsibilities including coaching nippers for board, iron and pool rescue events and coaching older lifesavers for board, ski, iron and pool rescue events. He has been awarded the Surf Life Saving Queensland Coach of the Year twice and has even volunteered as a coaching course facilitator and assessor, and a mentor for up-and-coming coaches.
He is currently the Head Coach of the Australian Youth Lifesaving Team who are headed for the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast later this year.
Despite his many accolades, the thing Craig loves most about volunteering is providing an invaluable community service whilst developing life skills, as well as being able to guide, shape and nurture young, up-and-coming athletes, and future surf lifesaving leaders.
“Surf lifesaving is a family, and it encourages and fosters family involvement as well,” Craig said.
“I would recommend people get involved in volunteering because it is fun and enjoyable, and it is worthwhile.
“It allows you to give something back to the community and hopefully make a difference!”