Published on: 22 February 2024






Year 11 student Charlie Bydder was recently awarded the RSL Cadet of the Year competition in recognition of his unwavering commitment to Surf Life Saving. Charlie attended the Rookie Lifeguard camp in Margaret River in December with his peer Tommy Greenshields, and represented the unit with distinction alongside Timothy McMahon, also Year 11, in the RSL Cadet of the Year competition in late 2023.

Teacher in Charge of Surf Life Saving Cadets Alli Gould attended the RSL Australia Day Award ceremony with Tim, Charlie and their parents. “Christ Church Cadets received a lovely public affirmation for our program and it was terrific to see Charlie win the RSL Cadet of the Year. With the narrow margin between them, both Charlie and Tim performed with distinction, and it was a shame they could not share the title”, Alli commented.

Charlie’s exemplary dedication and contribution to Surf Life Saving has earned him a trip to Canberra where he will have the honour of marching in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. He will also visit a number of significant defence and historical sites, and be signed up as a Defence Cadet in order to gain clearance for the restricted sites they will visit on the tour.

Both Tim and Charlie’s efforts towards Surf Life Saving are as a testament to their dedication, passion, and commitment to serving the community and serve as an inspiration to their peers to strive for excellence in their endeavours. Their achievements were recognised and celebrated among their school community, alongside their fellow Surf Life Saving Cadets, at last week’s Senior School Assembly.