Peter McDonnell awarded SLSWA Life Membership

At the SLSWA Awards of Excellence on 20 June 2026, Scarboro SLSC Life Member, Peter McDonnell, was awarded Life Membership of Surf Life Saving Western Australia – one of the most prestigious honours our movement can bestow – becoming just the 13^th Scarboro member to achieve such an honour. 

Peter joined Scarboro as an Associate Member in 1969 and has given more than five decades of quiet, unwavering service to our Club and to the broader surf lifesaving community. Despite being legally blind, Peter never once let that limit his contribution – earning his Bronze Medallion, Instructor’s Certificate and Radio Operator’s qualifications, and serving as Scarboro’s Radio Officer for nearly 30 years. He regularly staffed State Centre’s radio control at Floreat and Trigg, often staying on to cover other clubs’ absences, averaging between 60 and 80 hours of voluntary duty there each season for more than 25 years – all without a driver’s licence, commuting independently by bus, bike and on foot. Peter was awarded Scarboro Life Membership in 1996 and, until an accident in 2024, remained an active member including over 700 winter swims with the Polar Bears.

Whilst Peter was unable to attend the Awards of Excellence in person, he was proudly represented by his family, and his Life Membership was accepted on his behalf by his close friend Brian Hall. The Scarboro SLSC community is very proud of Peter and thank him and his family for a lifetime of inspiring service to our Club and our community.