Samantha Cockfield from the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club. 89463 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By ALESHA CAPONE
SAMANTHA Cockfield has been a member and tireless volunteer with Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club for more than three decades.
When her parents joined the WSLSC around 30 years ago, Ms Cockfield enrolled in the club’s Nipper program which teaches children about the art of life saving.
Nowadays, Ms Cockfield has just retired as the WSLSC’s committee vice-president because she believes “it’s time to give the young people a go”.
“I’ve been vice-president for about six years and previously held other committee positions, have been a patroller and also assisting with the Nipper program,” Ms Cockfield said.
Ms Cockfield said the WSLSC had grown exponentially since she first joined.
“To build the club from 400 members to around 1300 people really is a team effort,” she said.
Ms Cockfield is passionate about attracting young people to the club and developing their life saving skills.
“You literally see people as kids struggle to run 150 metres on the beach go on to become world champions,” she said.
Ms Cockfield said she had also made many “great friends” during her time at the club.
“I think being involved in the community as a volunteer gives back so much more that you put in,” she said.
“You will make friends and face challenges you won’t confront in other parts of your life.”
Ms Cockfield has even utilised the CPR and first aid skills she learned at the WSLSC while travelling overseas.
She once jumped in a pool in Thailand to pull out a young girl who was struggling in the water.
Although she has stepped down as WSLSC vice-president Ms Cockfield said she would still assist with the Nippers program and help organise the club’s annual Australia Day Swim.
See http://www.williamstownslsc.org.au for more information.
Ms Cockfield is the first nominee for the Star Volunteer of the Year Award. Each week a different volunteer will be profiled and a winner of the inaugural award will be announced 8 January next year. Do you know a volunteer? Please send details to star@starnewsgroup.com.au
